Jimmy McIlroy

[ClaretTony]

20th August 2018, one year ago today, and it was the saddest of days for us with the passing of the great Jimmy Mac.

Doesn't seem a year ago but today, one year on, is a day when we can look back now and remember this wonderful footballer.

[jdrobbo]

He’d be loving seeing the continued rise and development of the club at present too. Would’ve loved to have seen him play.

[Wile E Coyote]

read his book some time ago, rode his bike home to meet with Burnley representatives and nobody could imagine the influence he would have on our tiny town.. A genuinely legendary name.

[Suratclaret]

My boyhood hero who has given me a lifetime of memories. A truly wonderful footballer and a gentleman.

[Woodleyclaret]

I was fortunate to see Jimmy Mac play.
Pure class doesn't even begin to do his talents justice.
His rolled in penalaties perfectly placed were amazing.

[TheFamilyCat]

We used to get penalties?

[mdd2]

More art attached to those penalty kicks (until he was sussed) than that mimic Pogba

[dpinsussex]

Wow. I have had my screen saver for 1 year.

God.bless you Jimmy Mc

[IanMcL]

Forever the cherry on our cake.

[Tricky Trevor]

Words can’t do justice to his many skills.
My favourite was standing still out near the touchline and daring them to dive in on a challenge. As soon as they flinched he’d jink and be gone. The pace over the first five strides was phenomenal but he had everything. We were blessed.
RIP Jimmy

[CleggHall]

A marvellous man and player though he missed a couple of penalties for N.Ireland (one against Ron Springett for England) which the folks "across the water" found unforgiveable. I fell in love with Burnley back in 1959 mainly due to Mac.

[Steve1956]

When did Jimmy play his last game for us,I don't think I had the pleasure of seeing this Burnley legend play?

[ClaretTony]

When did Jimmy play his last game for us,I don't think I had the pleasure of seeing this Burnley legend play?

February 1963 in the FA Cup replay at Liverpool

http://www.uptheclarets.com/out-of-the- ... to-burnley" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[Ashingtonclaret46]

I often wonder just what he would have been like had he been born into this modern era of football.
He used to make the game look simple in the days of real physicality with very different equipment and pitches which modern players probably wouldn't even play on because it might be too wet, muddy, frozen etc.
With modern training, modern equipment, bowling green surfaces and lots of protection given by the officials ----I really do wonder!

[Suratclaret]

I often wonder just what he would have been like had he been born into this modern era of football.
He used to make the game look simple in the days of real physicality with very different equipment and pitches which modern players probably wouldn't even play on because it might be too wet, muddy, frozen etc.
With modern training, modern equipment, bowling green surfaces and lots of protection given by the officials ----I really do wonder!

Other than the wages, he once said to me that he would have loved to have played on modern pitches with a football that didn't gain in weight as the game progressed! Would he have still played for Burnley...id like to think so but he would have been worth a kings ransom nowadays.

[claretblue]

a kings ransom for a prince of inside forwards!

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Jimmy-Mac-Prin ... 0955401747" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[tiger76]

I often wonder just what he would have been like had he been born into this modern era of football.
He used to make the game look simple in the days of real physicality with very different equipment and pitches which modern players probably wouldn't even play on because it might be too wet, muddy, frozen etc.
With modern training, modern equipment, bowling green surfaces and lots of protection given by the officials ----I really do wonder!

It's frightening to think what he and the likes of George Best not to mention Pele would have achieved in this era,you'd be comparing those 3 with Bale,Messi and Ronaldo.

Amazing that Northern Ireland with such a small pool to choose from,produced Jimmy Mac,George Best and Danny Blanchflower.

It was fitting that Jimmy's last match for Stoke was against Burnley,one of those oddities that football throws up.

I didn't realise he played alongside Stanley Matthews at Stoke,astonishing to imagine 2 superstars of the game plying their trade in the 2nd tier of English football now,but that was a different era in many ways.

[Royboyclaret]

Simply the best.

[Foshiznik]

I will forever remember him calling me an idiot and a madman for spending so much on his signed shirt at one of our CM Last Supper evenings.

What a legend, even to people like me who never saw him play.

[ClaretTony]

I will forever remember him calling me an idiot and a madman for spending so much on his signed shirt at one of our CM Last Supper evenings.

What a legend, even to people like me who never saw him play.

I remember that, and he probably used his own pen to sign it. I once asked him why he always used his own pen and he told me that it was the only pen he'd ever owned that could spell McIlroy.

[Longside4evr]

A tremendous player that I never got to watch
The baffling thing is why didn't he go to one of the big city clubs
Or where Stoke FC cream of the crop at the time
I know the big Italian club where in for him but he loved this town and didn't want to go overseas
Wish players had that loyalty today instead of chasing the capital in greed

[Steve1956]

Just seen this on facebook,maybe up the clarets can help her......


****Important notice****
Jimmy McIlroy was my dear Uncle, my Mums brother. When we were leaving Turf Moor after the funeral service, to take him to his final resting place, a very emotional man leaned into my car and handed me a well worn and obviously much loved Burnley FC scarf. Very tearfully he asked if I could take it to the cemetery and put it with my Uncle Jim on behalf of all the Burnley fans who loved him.
I spoke to my cousin Anne who agreed and said it was a lovely gesture, so we did what he had asked.
I am writing this in hope that whoever the man was, he can rest assured that his wishes were granted.
Jimmy McIlroy was dearly loved not only by his family and friends, but the many Burnley FC fans who over the years watched him play, sat in his stand or just loved and respected him for the great player and man he was
Please feel free to share, thank you

[Steve1956]

The lady is called Jill Holbrook and can be contacted on facebook