Taffy

[Westleigh]

Taffy was predominantly right footed but good with both.

Apologies ,seem to remember playing at Hillsboro in our promotion season and him cutting in from the left and scoring with his right a la Benson.

[Blondeclaret]

Can’t remembering him ever playing RW for us or anybody else.

He didn’t he played on the left but was right footed.

[Barlickclaret]

He didn’t he played on the left but was right footed.

He was all left foot, but could use his right foot when he needed. That's why fullbacks couldn't cope with him.

[beeholeclaret]

Luton away on MOTD 2-2 (1972-73) and he scored 2 with his left foot whilst cutting in from the right wing. He was superb with both feet. Think Wales scored at Wembley with games cutting ball from bye line on right wing. His left wing cross at Burnley v Villa in FA Cup 5th round for Fletcher’s header.

He took his penalties with right foot which gives a true indication of his favoured foot.

Really hope he gets better soon.

[Stan Tastic]

No he wasn’t.

I can't believe you and Ian Mcl actually saw him play and thought he was left-footed. Unbelievable.

There was a major clue that when he ran with the ball he used his right foot.

[ClaretTony]

Can’t remembering him ever playing RW for us or anybody else.

I don't think he did but he'd tell you himself that he was stronger on his right foot than on his left

[Quicknick]

He didn’t he played on the left but was right footed.

James was two-footed.

[IanMcL]

[IanMcL]

Is he left or right handed?

[ClaretTony]

Is he left or right handed?

Right handed batsman at cricket and threw the ball with his right I think

[IanMcL]

Right handed batsman at cricket and threw the ball with his right I think

Then I would agree he would be naturally right footed. I batted right handed because that was how I was told to hold the bat. It became comfortable. I threw/bowled very much left handed.

Given his left foot quality, he was truly an exceptional player.

[ClaretTony]

Some better news to report. Taffy is out of hospital and receiving physio and speech therapy. I've been told he's doing as he's told and we agreed that must be a first.

Let's all hope there is still much more significant recovery to come. He'll be 71 in just over two weeks time.

[South West Claret.]

Assume he still recovering and doing well.

[boatshed bill]

Great player, almost unplayable at times. Hope he continues to recover.

[bfcjg]

Great news, awful hearing that your childhood heroes aren't well. It's almost as though your memory traps them in your mind as that dashing twenty something year old racing down the left wing putting pin point crosses in.

[123EasyasBFC]

My dads favourite player, thanks for the positive update Tony

[ClaretTony]

Great news, awful hearing that your childhood heroes aren't well. It's almost as though your memory traps them in your mind as that dashing twenty something year old racing down the left wing putting pin point crosses in.

It's this weird thing that as you get older, you don't think your heroes do and that allows you to continue to imagine them at their best on the field. Taffy will be 71 next month but we can still see him mesmerising defenders.

[Quicknick]

Thanks for the update, Tony. James is in my top ten of all-time Clarets. At least, that I have seen. I first went to TM in 1962-63.

[ClaretTony]

Thanks for the update, Tony. James is in my top ten of all-time Clarets. At least, that I have seen. I first went to TM in 1962-63.

Did you get the chance to see Jimmy Mac? I'm two years before you (Oct 1960) and so never saw him in his pomp but at least I can say that I saw him play for us.

[sjb]

Thanks for the update, Tony. James is in my top ten of all-time Clarets. At least, that I have seen. I first went to TM in 1962-63.

1963 for me too so I just missed Mac. Taffy is in my top one.

[Quicknick]

Did you get the chance to see Jimmy Mac? I'm two years before you (Oct 1960) and so never saw him in his pomp but at least I can say that I saw him play for us.

Sadly not. The nearest I got to seeing him was when we hosted Stoke at the Turf. He was on the Stoke's team in the programme but was a late change. There was an audible groan around TM. I think it was a night match.

[Madpete]

Never saw Jimmy Mac play as I only started supporting Burnley in April 1967 but I rate Taff as the best Claret ever.Lots will disagree but he was a supreme two footed player of immense class.

[SussexDon1inIreland]

My favourite ever Claret
I hope he is able to pull through

Sorry to hear the sad loss of your father Amble Claret

UTC

[ClaretTony]

Some more positive news - he's been able to get out twice to see his friends at the pub

And he's 71 today

[Big Vinny K]

Some more positive news - he's been able to get out twice to see his friends at the pub

And he's 71 today

Saw him in the bridge with a couple of friends a couple of weeks ago on a Friday night. One of them was an old school friend of mine who had not seen for many years.

[Mixedkompany]

Delighted he’s on the mend.
Does Taffy live in the Burnley area or Wales ?
Thanks

[ClaretTony]

Delighted he’s on the mend.
Does Taffy live in the Burnley area or Wales ?
Thanks

He's in South Wales

[FCBurnley]

Started watching in the mid fifties ( home games only first team and reserves ) then the local away games in the late fifties. What a time to be a Claret. How lucky was I and even luckier to still be watching every Clarets PL game via TV. I have seen pretty much every claret since WW2 mostly live but recently on TV. Impossible to pick the best but if pushed to name my 3 favs they would be Willie Irvine. Brian O’Neil and Jimmy Robson who was also one of the nicest people I have ever know. Not saying those 3 were our best ever players but they gave me so much joy both on and off the field
Best wishes to Taffy and all ex Clarets

[Quicknick]

Started watching in the mid fifties ( home games only first team and reserves ) then the local away games in the late fifties. What a time to be a Claret. How lucky was I and even luckier to still be watching every Clarets PL game via TV. I have seen pretty much every claret since WW2 mostly live but recently on TV. Impossible to pick the best but if pushed to name my 3 favs they would be Willie Irvine. Brian O’Neil and Jimmy Robson who was also one of the nicest people I have ever know. Not saying those 3 were our best ever players but they gave me so much joy both on and off the field
Best wishes to Taffy and all ex Clarets

O'Neil, Irvine and James are in my top... top several.

[FCBurnley]

O'Neil, Irvine and James are in my top... top several.

I started to write a list of our special players that I have seen but I ran out of ink !!

[AfloatinClaret]

I started to write a list of our special players that I have seen but I ran out of ink !!

Hardly surprising, you'd have used a lot of ink just writing all the letters in Remco Van Der Schaff

[ClaretTony]

I’m afraid it’s not good news. Taffy has taken a turn for the worse. I have no further details but it’s not the news I wanted to hear.

[warksclaret]

Anyone who saw him at his peak will have him in their top 3 claret players. I pray he stabilises and recovers

[Wokingclaret]

I’m afraid it’s not good news. Taffy has taken a turn for the worse. I have no further details but it’s not the news I wanted to hear.

Oh no, fingers crossed

[ClaretTony]

Oh no, fingers crossed

It was a shock to receive the message this afternoon Woking - I thought he was steadily showing some improvement. It's not good is it? I'm told his daughter has been asked to go down to Swansea.

Let's just hope things improve for him.

[bfcjg]

It doesn't sound good. I just hope he doesn't suffer. He gave us so much joy and enjoyment. I can still recall the chant of Supertaff rolling down from the Longside.

[Colburn_Claret]

Prayers are with him and his family, fingers crossed he makes another recovery.

[Claretnick]

Taffy is definitely one of my top 3 Clarets. He terrorised many 1st division defenders, on his day he was virtually unplayable.
Just hoping he's comfortable and not suffering....

[expoultryboy]

Sad to here that news , my favourite ever claret . My sons middle names are Leighton James.

[IanMcL]

That is not good at all.

Like us all, I wish your Taffy a miracle, swift recovery.

[sjb]

Of all the players I've seen in a Clarets shirt over the last 60 years, Taffy is in the top one.

Hoping and praying for better news.

[IanMcL]

That is not good at all.

Like us all, I wish our Taffy a miracle, swift recovery.

Somehow our had become your in the first post!

[Boss Hogg]

Just the thought of Leighton James should put a smile on every Burnley fan’s face. Let’s all hope he pulls through.

[ALP]

Prayers to Taffy and his family, I just hope he can pull back from this.

He was one hell of a winger, fast and no messing around, a delight to watch.

[beddie]

I was hoping to read much better news than that. I too will be hoping and praying that he gets through this and things improve for him.

[boatshed bill]

It was a shock to receive the message this afternoon Woking - I thought he was steadily showing some improvement. It's not good is it? I'm told his daughter has been asked to go down to Swansea.

Let's just hope things improve for him.

Totally agree with you, CT.
Very sad news.

[She]

Dosent sound good for one of our greatest players ever
Keep fighting Taffy x

[Jamesy]

Thinking about Leighton James as I go to bed just now. I hope he is still with us when I wake up in the morning.
Clarets Legend and rooting for him.

[beeholeclaret]

Still IMO the best Burnley player I have seen. Hoping for the best.

[Clive 1960]

I'm praying he pulls through , i thought he got over the worse .