RIP Jimmy McIlroy MBE

[Snake Plissken]

https://twitter.com/BurnleyOfficial/status/1031465877118562304

497 appearances, 131 goals. Part of the 1960-61 League winning side.

[Giggler]

RIP Jimmy. A Burnley legend.

[Duncan Gardner]

Sad news. A few years ago there was talk of a testimonial game against a NI select; perhaps something similar as a memorial.

[Jah Womble]

497 appearances, 131 goals. Part of the 1960-61 League winning side.

1959-60.

But RIP, absolutely. A giant of the game.

[Paul S]

How many of the 59-60 winning side are left now?

[Jah Womble]

'1959-60'. (Again.)

[Snake Plissken]

First to try the two-man penalty routine.

[adams house cat]

Sad news. A few years ago there was talk of a testimonial game against a NI select; perhaps something similar as a memorial.

At least. I saw him play against Forest when I was a nipper.

[Amor de Cosmos]

'1959-60'. (Again.)

It was an excellent team for four seasons beginning then though. Arguably the best in the country but overshadowed by Spurs — largely because they were London, and double winners. But Burnley's overall record was as good or better in the early sixties.

Anyway RIP Jimmy lad. My Mum's favourite.

[longeared]

Burnley appearance makers 1959-60 (via Wiki)

Jimmy Adamson - d 2011
Ray Pointer - d 2016
Brian Miller - d 2007
John Angus - alive, turns 80 in a couple of weeks
Adam Blacklaw - d 2010
Brian Pilkington - alive aged 85
Jimmy Robson - alive aged 79
John Connelly - d 2012
Alex Elder - alive aged 77
Jimmy McIlroy - d today
Bobby Seith - alive aged 86
Tommy Cummings - d 2009
Ian Lawson - alive aged 79
Trevor Meredith - alive aged 81
Billy White - d 2000
Gordon Harris - d 2014
Jim Furnell - alive aged 80
Billy Marshall - d 2007

[Jah Womble]

It was an excellent team for four seasons beginning then though. Arguably the best in the country but overshadowed by Spurs — largely because they were London, and double winners. But Burnley's overall record was as good or better in the early sixties.

I think that being 'double winners' was more the reason why Spurs overshadowed all others that year: I don't think that 'London' was really relevant - the late fifties had, after all, been all about Wolves and Man Utd. (Whether Burnley had a better overall record is also open to debate - Spurs also beat them in a Cup Final and won a European trophy. Them were the days...)

But I was merely correcting the statement that Burnley were title winners that season. I don't dispute that they had a great side.

[Gangster Octopus]

No particularly early deaths amongst that Burnley team. Obviously the Lancashire air was good for the health...

[Snake Plissken]

We had 'em working in t'cotton mills, not down t'pit.

[Amor de Cosmos]

I think that being 'double winners' was more the reason why Spurs overshadowed all others that year: I don't think that 'London' was really relevant - the late fifties had, after all, been all about Wolves and Man Utd. (Whether Burnley had a better overall record is also open to debate - Spurs also beat them in a Cup Final and won a European trophy. Them were the days...)

But I was merely correcting the statement that Burnley were title winners that season. I don't dispute that they had a great side.

I'd agree the double was the main factor. But 'London' was somewhat relevant. Barring Chelsea's one-off Championship, the capital's clubs were particularly weak throughout the fifties. London was very much the media capital too so any of them doing well was going to draw more attention than most clubs from the North or Midlands.

[Jah Womble]

Oh, I see - so you're looking at it from the opposite perspective.