Three years ago today we received the news of the passing of Jimmy McIlroy, undoubtedly the greatest player I have ever been privileged to see play for us.

Remembering him today.

I will never forget how he graced Turf Moor in the late 50s and 60s. A great, great player and a gentleman. He will never be forgotten in Burnley.

I can only echo what Tony and Vino blanco have said

Never had the privilege of seeing him play, I really wish I had from what people tell me. I remember saying hello to him in the north stand car park as his daughter (I think) parked their car. Lovely humble man.

I was spoilt as a young boy watching Mc. A true hero who provided some dazzling, outstanding moments of brilliance.RIP Mc.

I like many others never had the privilege of seeing the great man play, but he was undoubtedly our greatest ever player.

And yes he will never be forgotten by the club, and also the town.

for posting tony utc

The greatest and my schoolboy hero. Was lucky to have had a season ticket 60-61 onwards so saw my idol play many many times. Wish you were coming back Jimmy Mac.

The greatest player I've ever seen playing for the Clarets. Much appreciated by many of his fellow professionals at the time...Finney, Blanchflower, Clayton etc etc.

Fantastic player. Loved seeing him faced up with an opponent waiting for them to dive in. As soon as they flinched he was gone.
I only spoke with him once and that was when he was Oldham manager. He brought his team to Catterick for pre-season training and a match.

Suratclaret wrote: ↑

Sun Aug 22, 2021 3:47 am

The greatest player I've ever seen playing for the Clarets. Much appreciated by many of his fellow professionals at the time...Finney, Blanchflower, Clayton etc etc.

And Charlton and Armfield.

Spoke with him once,whilst in the DDirectors box.I said it was lovely to be able to speak to the man my Dad said was the greatest player to wear our shirt.He replied that my Dad must have been mistaken.I assured him that he was not.

Just been watching some clips on FB I put up of Burnley fans in Athens, singing tributes to him.

Stevie2112 wrote: ↑

Mon Aug 23, 2021 5:38 pm

Spoke with him once,whilst in the DDirectors box.I said it was lovely to be able to speak to the man my Dad said was the greatest player to wear our shirt.He replied that my Dad must have been mistaken.I assured him that he was not.

Jimmy was a very modest gentleman.

I was waiting at Burnley Hospital with a badly snapped finger from a work accident. Across from me sat down was Jimmy Mac. He knew I had recognised him but there was no way I was bothering this man in a Hospital. He smiled over to me and that was enough to know I was in the presence of a great.

So many wonderful things about him on this site. But as a boy I will remember him absolutely leaving defenders in his wake with what I would discribe as his shimmying.