Jimmy McIlroy - two years ago today

[ClaretTony]

What a sad day it was for us on Monday, 20th August 2018, the passing of the great Jimmy McIlroy. His is a name that will forever be at the forefront when Burnley FC is mentioned. My thoughts today will Jimmy's daughter Anne, son Paul, and all the McIlroy family.

https://www.uptheclarets.com/burnley-in ... -jimmy-mac

[CleggHall]

Beautiful man, wonderful footballer.

[mdd2]

Agree.What memories he has given those of us who saw him in his prime and not forgetting those in the teams he played with who have left us.

[Croydon Claret]

Fantastic footballer, even better bloke

[ClaretTony]

Just such a really lovely man to talk to as well. Always had a quip, always had a smile on his face. And when he talked football you just sat back and listened. I was so fortunate to see him play although I have to say I didn't ever see him at his best. A special talent and a special man.

[mdd2]

Quoted this recently but his second half performance against WBA when he returned with, from memory his right arm strapped to his body,and was stuck on the right wing yet still managed to jink past what was quite a respectful full back who never tried to kick him over the wall into the Longside.
I thought he had created both goals but a review of t'internet throws up CT reprise of that week. Mac only assisted with the winner.

[Turfytop]

A lovely man, can’t believe there isn’t a statue of him outside the ground yet, a massive Burnley legend

[ClaretTony]

Quoted this recently but his second half performance against WBA when he returned with, from memory his right arm strapped to his body,and was stuck on the right wing yet still managed to jink past what was quite a respectful full back who never tried to kick him over the wall into the Longside.
I thought he had created both goals but a review of t'internet throws up CT reprise of that week. Mac only assisted with the winner.

Link to report :
https://www.uptheclarets.com/another-wi ... h-of-smith

[CleggHall]

Quoted this recently but his second half performance against WBA when he returned with, from memory his right arm strapped to his body,and was stuck on the right wing yet still managed to jink past what was quite a respectful full back who never tried to kick him over the wall into the Longside.

Yes I enjoyed this match too.
Don Howe, the West Brom right back, wrote in a Birmingham evening paper that this was unfair, West Brom defenders were afraid of tackling the heavily bandaged Mac for fear of retribution from the baying Longside!

[Silkyskills1]

Just such a really lovely man to talk to as well. Always had a quip, always had a smile on his face. And when he talked football you just sat back and listened. I was so fortunate to see him play although I have to say I didn't ever see him at his best. A special talent and a special man.

Interesting to determine when he was 'at his best'. He was my hero as a schoolboy from when I first saw him play in the 58/59 season and he remains so to this day. I have to rely on older people for his performances prior to 1958 but personally he peaked in the couple of seasons following the victory at Maine Rd in 1960. Some of those wonderful displays( at Turf Moor as I didn't see most away games) were simply enthralling with perhaps his best coming in a 6-3 win against Man City in January 1962. So, maybe you did see him ' at his best', CT. Just like me stood on the terraces with an adult desperately wanting to see the genius with the ball at his feet prompting his team mates and teasing the opposition.

[Claretlad]

I can picture him now in a long cream coloured mac/coat on the touch line at lockyer playing fields watching us playing football ...i was playing for Lowerhouse junior school against Rosehill junior school ..i remember thinking at the time .thats the great Jimmy Mac.and hes watching us play...i think it was the Hartley cup 1/4 or semi final game ....early 60's...

[Vino blanco]

Without doubt, the greatest footballer I have seen in my 67 years going on the Turf. He was recognised internationally as being a world class player and I can still remember the shock I felt when I got home from school and my dad told me he had been sold to Stoke City. Later in life I lived close to Jimmy and I used to love the chats I had with him over his garden wall: a lovely, modest, friendly man, who was Burnley through and through.

[ClaretLoup]

Think about some of the pitches he performed on. I remember a game vs Sheffield Wednesday in late December and the cup tie vs Liverpool with pitches like glaciers, the lines swept clear and painted blue and they used an orange ball. Then some of the absolute bog heaps as well with massive diamonds of mud.

Arteta eat your heart out.