ARTICLE: Burnley in mourning with the loss of the great Jimmy Mac

ClaretTony · Post by **ClaretTony** » Mon Aug 20, 2018 11:27 am

I wasn't expecting to have to write this article today, and it's been tough writing it.

See link
http://www.uptheclarets.com/burnley-in- ... -jimmy-mac" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

piston broke · Post by **piston broke** » Mon Aug 20, 2018 11:37 am

Fine tribute, Tony, thank you.
He scored in my first match as well. I only got to speak to him once. As Oldham manager he fetched them up to Catterick for a pre season with the squaddies and a match. I was in awe but wore my Clarets scarf and mumbled some rubbish but he was grand with me.

Longside4evr · Post by **Longside4evr** » Mon Aug 20, 2018 11:42 am

Good article respect UTC

tybfc · Post by **tybfc** » Mon Aug 20, 2018 11:46 am

Lovely man.

RIP

Paulclaret · Post by **Paulclaret** » Mon Aug 20, 2018 11:47 am

That's a fabulous article Tony. Not ashamed to say it brought a tear to my eye. RIP Jimmy.

Bordeauxclaret · Post by **Bordeauxclaret** » Mon Aug 20, 2018 11:53 am

On the naming of the stand, was that done in 1999?

Just trying to think back.

Quicknick · Post by **Quicknick** » Mon Aug 20, 2018 11:53 am

Brilliant article, Tony. I have just got in and went straight on to UpTheClarets. I am in shock.

wilks_bfc · Post by **wilks_bfc** » Mon Aug 20, 2018 12:03 pm

Bordeauxclaret wrote:On the naming of the stand, was that done in 1999?

Just trying to think back.

Wasn’t it officially done on first game of 2000?
Sure something was said about Payton scoring the first goal in front of the stand against Oxford (I think)

ClaretTony · Post by **ClaretTony** » Mon Aug 20, 2018 12:05 pm

wilks_bfc wrote:Wasn’t it officially done on first game of 2000?
Sure something was said about Payton scoring the first goal in front of the stand against Oxford (I think)

Last game of 1999

tim_noone · Post by **tim_noone** » Mon Aug 20, 2018 12:05 pm

I don't know if he drank but will raise a glass and leave one on the bar at Fulham ...RIP

gandhisflipflop · Post by **gandhisflipflop** » Mon Aug 20, 2018 12:08 pm

wilks_bfc wrote:Wasn’t it officially done on first game of 2000?
Sure something was said about Payton scoring the first goal in front of the stand against Oxford (I think)

We played oxford on new years eve 1999. Andy Payton scored a hat-trick.

Bordeauxclaret · Post by **Bordeauxclaret** » Mon Aug 20, 2018 12:09 pm

wilks_bfc wrote:Wasn’t it officially done on first game of 2000?
Sure something was said about Payton scoring the first goal in front of the stand against Oxford (I think)

Of course. I’d completely forgotten it was called the East Stand officially for a time.

wilks_bfc · Post by **wilks_bfc** » Mon Aug 20, 2018 12:09 pm

ClaretTony wrote:Last game of 1999

Thanks Tony.

I thought it was around new year time

Vino blanco · Post by **Vino blanco** » Mon Aug 20, 2018 12:10 pm

Thank you for a fitting tribute to a lovely man. I new Jimmy when he lived on Rosehill, as a neighbour I used to walk my dog past his home and he always had time for a chat by his garden wall. He was without doubt the greatest player I have ever seen to wear the claret and blue shirt of Burnley FC. A truly great Claret legend and a truly great man. He will live in my memory for ever. RIP Jimmy and thank you for being an important part of my and many others' lives.

Clarets4me · Post by **Clarets4me** » Mon Aug 20, 2018 12:20 pm

wilks_bfc wrote:Thanks Tony. I thought it was around new year time

Game kicked off slightly late, due to the ceremonials ...

Andy scored the winner in the 90th minute, the last Football League goal of the 1990's .... On New Years Day, 1990, in an early kick-off against Sunderland, Andy scored the 1st for Hull City in a 3-2 win over Sunderland, the very first League goal of the 1990's !

Steve1956 · Post by **Steve1956** » Mon Aug 20, 2018 12:20 pm

Fantastic tribute,just a footnote on the second picture in the article with Jimmy pictured with a goalkeeper,is that the Stand behind them the Bob Lord standnow,I can vaguely remember going in the stand but I'm unsure if I ever saw Jimmy Mac play,sorry for going off the sad subject..RIP Jimmy.

Silkyskills1 · Post by **Silkyskills1** » Mon Aug 20, 2018 12:21 pm

Well written,CT. Couldn't have been easy. 60 years ago this November was my first match,a 0-2 defeat to Nottm Forest. I'm sure Mc played but I wouldn't have known. Soon got to know whether he was playing or not after that though. Classy,elegant, and destructive, he teased and tantalised opposition players often leaving them in his wake with a sway of his hips or a drop of his shoulder.So many wonderful memories; his clashes with Eddie Clamp, his taking the ball to the corner to run the clock down, his blistering pace over 10 yards to create yet another goal. He was the general,the orchestrator, the magician that lit up so many grounds around the country. Above all, though, he was ours, one of us,a Claret who will never ever be forgotten.

brigante · Post by **brigante** » Mon Aug 20, 2018 12:59 pm

Not only did he see that bell rung he saw us back in Europe.

A lovely article, fitting for a legend and a genuinely lovely man.

RIP Jimmy

turfmoorboy · Post by **turfmoorboy** » Mon Aug 20, 2018 1:05 pm

Sad sad day, my favourite ever Claret and was the reason I started supporting us as a boy in 1961. Lovely tribute to a true Burnley legend, Thanks Tony. RIP Jimmy Mac, you will always be remembered.

slw · Post by **slw** » Mon Aug 20, 2018 1:07 pm

Saddened to hear this news. First introduced to Jimmy in mid eighties by dad Keith who shared the press box with Jimmy on a few occasions. Played a few rounds of golf with Jimmy and he really was a delightful man, so modest with a good sense of humour. Would of been a treat to have see him play but never had that opportunity sadly.
R.I.P Jimmy.

The Enclosure · Post by **The Enclosure** » Mon Aug 20, 2018 1:13 pm

A wonderful tribute Tony to my all time Clarets hero.
RIP Jimmy Mac.

Pstotto · Post by **Pstotto** » Mon Aug 20, 2018 1:14 pm

Nice picture of him at home in 63 (BBC)( and a fantastic picture of Turf Moor) saying that he turned down a villa in Italy to live in Burnley. Burnley was not where he came from, as an ex-pat Northerner I liked his sentiment very much and felt a bit guilty but was glad to remember he was from elsewhere and that sometimes one needs to live not where you come from.

Silkyskills1 · Post by **Silkyskills1** » Mon Aug 20, 2018 1:25 pm

Bordeauxclaret wrote:Of course. I’d completely forgotten it was called the East Stand officially for a time.

Not as though it's at all important but I think all the parts of grounds are,or at least used to be known in an official capacity. For example, Manchester United's Stretford End is/was the West Stand.

ashtonlongsider · Post by **ashtonlongsider** » Mon Aug 20, 2018 1:27 pm

Only just heard the sad news. I consider myself very fortunate and honoured to have seen Jimmy play on a number of occasions, albeit in my formative years watching the Clarets. He was on a different level to anyone else, and this was most likely the greatest team in our history. I can recall the moment I heard that Jimmy had been transferred to Stoke. As a 10 year old schoolboy in the playground of St Mary's Junior School Morecambe it was a devastating moment. RIP Jimmy not only our greatest player but also our one and only World Class player.

Culmclaret · Post by **Culmclaret** » Mon Aug 20, 2018 1:37 pm

He embodied all that was good about our club. Not old enough to have seen him play but it sounds like a toss up between him and Bob Kelly for our greatest ever player.

Guitargeorge · Post by **Guitargeorge** » Mon Aug 20, 2018 1:49 pm

What an excellent piece, Tony. I was privileged to see him play. His sitting on the ball at the corner flag is no myth! A true gentleman who lived near and I had many a chat with him. Perhaps time for a bit of crowdfunding to get that bronze statue. The nes memorial garden would be a fitting site for it.

iluva64 · Post by **iluva64** » Mon Aug 20, 2018 1:49 pm

Never saw him play, just deliver milk around Rosehill when I worked at the garage on Manchester Road in my youth always said 'Good morning'.

I told my Dad this morning too, he's just turned 90, he was really sad. " the best player I ever saw play for Burnley"

I suppose Dad won't ask me anymore "hows Jimmy Mac?", a weekly occurrence when talking about Burnley.

RIP

Midmoorclaret · Post by **Midmoorclaret** » Mon Aug 20, 2018 1:59 pm

So very sad to hear this news and I also feel very privileged to have seen him play many times. Not only was he a great footballer but a true gentleman and a credit to our town and great club. May you rest in peace Jimmy Mac.

Ayamonte · Post by **Ayamonte** » Mon Aug 20, 2018 2:02 pm

I cried as a 10 year old in February 1963 and I'm crying now!! I idolised the man and his football genius. Thank you Jimmy for all the pleasure you gave me and thousands of others over the years. Sadly, this time you won't be coming back but you were simply..... the BEST!!!

Hipper · Post by **Hipper** » Mon Aug 20, 2018 2:05 pm

https://www.theguardian.com/football/20 ... y-obituary" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Jimmy McIlroy, bricklayer!

bobinho · Post by **bobinho** » Mon Aug 20, 2018 2:22 pm

A wonderful tribute to our greatest.

A friend just texted me to say a few years ago at a Glen View golf day, he asked Jimmy Mac for his autograph. He said Jimmy was as pleased to do it as my mate was to receive it.

Burnley is worse off today for his passing.

RIP Jimmy Mac.

Brucefanclaret · Post by **Brucefanclaret** » Mon Aug 20, 2018 2:53 pm

Thanks for a superb article. I was fortunate enough to see him play but not sure I really appreciated how good he was, despite my dad and grandparents telling me so! Never had the privilege of meeting the great man. Don’t think I have ever felt so sad about the death of someone I’ve never met. If we fans will all miss him, what will it be like for his family and close friends. My sincere condolences to them.

PutTheWheelieBinsOut · Post by **PutTheWheelieBinsOut** » Mon Aug 20, 2018 2:57 pm

I met him, you couldn't fine a nicer gentleman to talk to.

Surely a statute for the legend in the new memorial garden is called for.

FCBurnley · Post by **FCBurnley** » Mon Aug 20, 2018 2:59 pm

The Headline says it all. No need for his full name. Always was and always will be The great Jimmy Mac.
He was a dominant figure in my life right from my first ever Burnley game in the early 50`s and I always bagged being Jimmy Mac in the schoolyard games at Tod Rd school. Not much I can add to CT`s excellent article except to say thank you Jimmy for all the wonderful moments you gave me and thousands of other Clarets.

RIP Jimmy Mac........Gentleman, Superstar and Burnley through and through

1968claret · Post by **1968claret** » Mon Aug 20, 2018 2:59 pm

Excellent article for a great player and man.
Met Jimmy a few times in the 1980s with my dad. I think Jimmy was reporting on local schools football at the time. He was such a gentleman.
Wish I could have seen him play.

Roosterbooster · Post by **Roosterbooster** » Mon Aug 20, 2018 3:06 pm

I never saw Jimmy Mac play, but I am genuinely upset on hearing this news. A sad, sad day indeed. A fitting tribute, I would hope, is planned for the most iconic of club legends

PutTheWheelieBinsOut · Post by **PutTheWheelieBinsOut** » Mon Aug 20, 2018 3:14 pm

Tonight on Radio Lancashire they are re-broadcasting a programme first recorded in 1996 where Jimmy Armfield talks to Jimmy Mcllroy.

Suratclaret · Post by **Suratclaret** » Mon Aug 20, 2018 3:24 pm

A very fitting tribute to my boyhood hero. A great player in a team of very good players.
There will undoubtedly be many obituaries in both national and local media and I wonder if it would be possible to have them saved in one place within Up the Clarets?

tim_noone · Post by **tim_noone** » Mon Aug 20, 2018 3:26 pm

I'm sure "jimmy macs claret and blue army " is gonna be sang in Greece London and when next at turf moor. Utc!

claretblue · Post by **claretblue** » Mon Aug 20, 2018 3:32 pm

PutTheWheelieBinsOut wrote:Surely a statute for the legend in the new memorial garden is called for.

see final paragraph of following article from March this year:
https://www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk/s ... 9.display/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Paranoid · Post by **Paranoid** » Mon Aug 20, 2018 3:34 pm

Well written tribute to a special claret, I was only 2 when Lord sold him so never saw him play, my father told me he was one of the best he had seen play and that is good enough for me. RIP JM.

MiltonKeynesClaret93 · Post by **MiltonKeynesClaret93** » Mon Aug 20, 2018 3:48 pm

A lot of players in the modern game that could learn an awful lot from him on and off the field.
I wish I'd had the privilege of meeting him.

ngsobob · Post by **ngsobob** » Mon Aug 20, 2018 4:09 pm

Very moving piece. I saw him play from 1956. He's my hero. Thank you.

ClaretTony · Post by **ClaretTony** » Mon Aug 20, 2018 4:23 pm

Thanks everyone for the comments on the piece. I think we all know how good a footballer he was and I wanted to get over just what a really nice man he was too.

The town is showing its respect. The Town Hall flag is flying at half mast.

Ashingtonclaret46 · Post by **Ashingtonclaret46** » Mon Aug 20, 2018 4:26 pm

A fitting tribute to a gentleman and true Burnley legend who I had the pleasure of watching throughout his Burnley career.
RIP Jimmy and thank you for some wonderful memories.

The Enclosure · Post by **The Enclosure** » Mon Aug 20, 2018 4:58 pm

Guitargeorge wrote:What an excellent piece, Tony. I was privileged to see him play. His sitting on the ball at the corner flag is no myth! A true gentleman who lived near and I had many a chat with him. Perhaps time for a bit of crowdfunding to get that bronze statue. The nes memorial garden would be a fitting site for it.

I really do hope that a statue to Jimmy could be commissioned am sure many Clarets would chip in together with the club to raise the money.I personally would like to see it sited at the entrance to either the James Hargreaves or Jimmy Mac stands....not really the room in front of the main entrance.

Selby Claret · Post by **Selby Claret** » Mon Aug 20, 2018 5:17 pm

One of my friends saw Jimmy a few years back and went up to him and said "I cried when you left Burnley."

Jimmy replied, "You know what? So did I."

Says it all.

claretspice · Post by **claretspice** » Mon Aug 20, 2018 5:18 pm

Well played Tony, lovely tribute.

ClaretTony · Post by **ClaretTony** » Mon Aug 20, 2018 5:36 pm

The Enclosure wrote:I really do hope that a statue to Jimmy could be commissioned am sure many Clarets would chip in together with the club to raise the money.I personally would like to see it sited at the entrance to either the James Hargreaves or Jimmy Mac stands....not really the room in front of the main entrance.

We've tried to get one sorted for some time, on Harry Potts Way and probably in an area currently part of the car park. If there is to be one of him it should be right at the front where most people will see it. Barry Kilby was very enthusiastic about the idea.

agreenwood · Post by **agreenwood** » Mon Aug 20, 2018 5:39 pm

He made absolutely sure we were in good hands and then he left us.

RIP.