Jock Aird - RIP

[ClaretTony]

Sad news that Jock Aird, who was our oldest living former player, has passed away at the age of 94 in Australia.

My thoughts are with his two daughters Lynne and Karen, their families and friends.

Before my time but played in the 1954 World Cup while at Burnley for Scotland and then went on to play international football for New Zealand.

[Thehistoryteacher]

One of the players my Dad likes to talk about .. a good life well lived by the looks of it RIP

[bfcjg]

Good life span, part of the Clarets history RIP.

[Suratclaret]

Before my time but I can remember my father speaking quite highly about him. Guess not many players have been capped by more than one country.
RIP Jock

[minnieclaret]

RIP Jock.

[Vino blanco]

I can just about remember him playing, it was when my dad used to take me on as a youngster, standing right up against the Bee Hole front wall with my dad close by. He certain
ly had a good career, playing at the World Cup for Scotland and professionally both in England and New Zealand. RIP Jock.

[Silkyskills1]

Before my time,too. Always saw his name in old programmes though and was his full back partner Harold Mather?

[ClaretTony]

Before my time,too. Always saw his name in old programmes though and was his full back partner Harold Mather?

He would have played alongside Harold Mather

[mdd2]

Yes Jock I think took over from Arthur Woodruff and Mather was on the left in my early days as a claret with Strong in goal.

[Ashingtonclaret46]

He played in the first ever game I saw at the Turf in August 1952. We were beaten by Middlesbrough in the last minute of the game ---eight months before we had beaten them 7-1 at the Turf.
I should have known then that watching the Clarets would always be a roller coaster ride ----but I have enjoyed it.

RIP John 'Jock' Aird

[ClaretTony]

Just a few words now on site

https://www.uptheclarets.com/jock-aird-dies-at-94

[tiger76]

Sorry to hear of Jock's passing, but 94 is a decent innings, Well before my time of watching the Clarets, but I have seen his name crop up in threads on here from time to time, and he was clearly well regarded by those who knew him back in his playing days.

Aird by name and hard by nature apparently.

RIP Jock

[FCBurnley]

RIP Jock Aird. Saw him play in the early fifties when I was a young kid. Too long ago to comment on his play but my thoughts are with his family. I never knew he played in 1954 WC. Great honor for him and the club

[beddie]

I certainly remember the name but nothing more. A sad day for his family but he lived to a very good age. RIP Jock.

[GordonvaleClaret]

[quote=ClaretTony post_id=1587988 time=1624964029 user_id=48

........ and then went on to play international football for New Zealand.
[/quote]

I never knew that. I've always thought that Vic Pollard was the first Burnleyite to play for NZ.

[IanMcL]

A Claret lost.
Thank you Mr Aird.

[ClaretTony]

[quote=ClaretTony post_id=1587988 time=1624964029 user_id=48

........ and then went on to play international football for New Zealand.

I never knew that. I've always thought that Vic Pollard was the first Burnleyite to play for NZ.
[/quote]

Vic Pollard played both cricket and football for NZ didn't he? Born in Burnley but moved to NZ as a youngster. I remember all the fuss around here when he came over to play for NZ in a test series and I do know Lancs tried but failed to sign him.

Jock had played those four games for Scotland before being capped by NZ at football. He was joined in that respect four years ago when Besart Berisha played for Kosovo to add to his caps for Albania.