|
Name : Jimmy McIlroy
D.O.B: 25/10/1931
Previous Clubs
Craigavad/Glentoran/Signed for Burnley March 1950 (£8,000)/Stoke City March 1963 (£25,000)/Oldham Manager January 1966, player manager March 1966/August 1968 to 1969 Stoke City Chief Coach/Bolton Wanderers August 1970 Chief Coach and assistant manager to Nat Lofthouse then in November 1970 Manager (18 days).
Total games played for Burnley 497
Total goals scored 131
Sometimes when listening to people using the word Legend, I feel it is misused far to often, but one thing for certain, in the case of Jimmy Mac it is totally justified, he is indeed a TRUE Legend. Whenever Clarets fans are asked the question " Who was the best player to play for Burnley " the answer overwhelmingly is Jimmy McIlroy.
Having been privileged to see him play in the flesh there is no doubt in my mind he is the best player I have seen in a claret and blue jersey, he had wondrous skills, whether it be trapping a ball, passing, dribbling or scoring goals Mac was just sublime, a genuine footballer and an all out gentleman.
Another often asked question today is " Would he be able to compete at the top level today? " The answer to that is most certainly YES. Mac was a world class player and would definitely hold his own against the top players of today.
Jimmy was signed aged just 18 by Frank Hill from Glentoran in March 1950 for £8,000. He made his first team debut at Sunderland on October 21st 1950. Although he will always be remembered as an inside right, in his first year at the club he played inside left, replacing Bill Morris's retirement in 1952. He won his first International cap for Northern Ireland in October 1951 against Scotland, such was the impression he made in that game he went on to win a further 54 caps. His skills were so astounding, they were recognised nation-wide, and Mac was chosen to play for a Great Britain side against the Rest Of Europe in August 1955.
Jimmy played a major part in the success of Burnley football club during the 50's and early 60's,and in 1962 was voted runner up to Jimmy Adamson for the Footballer of the year.
After playing in an FA Cup game against Liverpool in February 1963, the unbelievable happened, it was officially announced that Mac had been placed on the transfer list. This news was beyond comprehension to all Clarets fans, after all Bob Lord had only recently publicly stated that there would always be a job for Jimmy at Burnley Football Club. The whole town was still in shock when, as swiftly as it had been announced that he was on the transfer list, within one week he had been sold to Stoke City for £25,000. For many thousands of Clarets fans that was it for them as far as Burnley were concerned, many vowed that they would never set foot on Turf Moor again, and true to their word many did not. The effect this one decision had on the club was in my view catastrophic, I truly believe the club has never been in the same shape as it was, and even today I still cannot see it ever will be.
After retiring from football, Mac worked as a journalist for the Burnley Express for a number of years, after reaching retirement age he spent more and more time on the golf course and is still a very good player. Mac still to this day resides in the town he adopted and attends games at Turf Moor on a regular basis, and even when acknowledging the fans, he is always more than happy to give his opinions on the game and the Club as it is today.
I salute you Jimmy McIlroy a TRUE CLARET LEGEND.
With thank's to Longside poster 'Foreverclaret'
Read "Jimmy Mac - A side to remember "
http://www.thelongside.info/content/view/361/94/
Read " Turning points- Jimmy Mac's transfer"
http://www.thelongside.info/content/view/346/94/
|
