Andy Wharton

Bribfc · Post by **Bribfc** » Thu Apr 03, 2025 2:16 pm

I’ve just been informed of the sad news about ex claret and friend of mine Andy sadly died today

RIP Andy.

mkmel · Post by **mkmel** » Thu Apr 03, 2025 2:20 pm

Sorry to hear about the passing of your friend and fellow Claret

RIP Andy

randomclaret2 · Post by **randomclaret2** » Thu Apr 03, 2025 2:29 pm

Very sorry to hear this...legendary figure for Clarets of a certain vintage

Jimmymaccer · Post by **Jimmymaccer** » Thu Apr 03, 2025 2:33 pm

Blimey sad news………didn’t he have a BFC tattoo? Remember him at the likes of Doncaster away etc…….fab days despite the league we were in.

bobinho · Post by **bobinho** » Thu Apr 03, 2025 2:34 pm

I think he had BFC tattooed on his knuckles.

RIP Andy

Longford Claret · Post by **Longford Claret** » Thu Apr 03, 2025 2:51 pm

R.I.P Andy, a great Claret and a great man of Rossendale.

Dark Cloud · Post by **Dark Cloud** » Thu Apr 03, 2025 2:58 pm

That's shocking news, especially as he'd be no age really. He was 2 years below me at school and his brother was in my year. (Peter is another 2 years older I think). Andy was a huge fan before he was a player and still basically a fan whilst he was a player (and afterwards). Very, very sad news.

sjb · Post by **sjb** » Thu Apr 03, 2025 2:59 pm

Awful news if confirmed. I can still see the goal he scored at Doncaster in our 81/2 promotion season. Left foot drive at the Burnley fans end much to the delight of those of us who had spent the game trying not to give South Yorkshire's finest Constabulary an excuse to beat 7 shades of sh1t out of us.
R.I P. Andy.

Andreshotboots · Post by **Andreshotboots** » Thu Apr 03, 2025 3:02 pm

Ons of the players I remember as a very young Claret. Used to kick lumps out of the opposition and would run through a brick wall for the shirt.

A fan who lived the dream..RIP Andy...

ClaretTony · Post by **ClaretTony** » Thu Apr 03, 2025 3:06 pm

Dark Cloud wrote: ↑
Thu Apr 03, 2025 2:58 pm
That's shocking news, especially as he'd be no age really. He was 2 years below me at school and his brother was in my year. (Peter is another 2 years older I think). Andy was a huge fan before he was a player and still basically a fan whilst he was a player (and afterwards). Very, very sad news.

Peter, his brother, is no longer with us sadly. Hell of a good footballer, probably more skilled than Andy, but his eyesight was such that he played in specs.

Really sorry to hear this news on Andy - I'll get something on the site.

Buxtonclaret · Post by **Buxtonclaret** » Thu Apr 03, 2025 3:11 pm

R.I.P Andy.
Such very sad news.

ashtonlongsider · Post by **ashtonlongsider** » Thu Apr 03, 2025 3:17 pm

Really sad news, heartfelt condolences to all his family and friends. 'One of our own' Andy Wharton RIP.

fatboy47 · Post by **fatboy47** » Thu Apr 03, 2025 3:17 pm

Long term next door neighbour and friend (along with brothers Peter and Stan)..I guess Andy would be 64 give or take a year.
Played many a game with him on the streets in Whitewellbottom and on the pitches above, and stood besides him as a kid on the old longside..genuinely nice lad who will be truly missed by all who knew him.

RIP Andy...Burnley legend who bled claret and blue.

MeeActon1 · Post by **MeeActon1** » Thu Apr 03, 2025 3:35 pm

I worked with his son in Devon, very sad news. Thoughts with his family.

ClaretTony · Post by **ClaretTony** » Thu Apr 03, 2025 3:35 pm

Just a few words on site now at the link below. I have contact details for a couple of his former Burnley team mates and will pass on the sad news.

https://www.uptheclarets.com/ex-claret- ... asses-away

RMutt · Post by **RMutt** » Thu Apr 03, 2025 3:36 pm

I played in the same schoolboy team as Andy. He was always way better than the rest of us, a tough lad too.
He was also a great table tennis player and cross country runner.
Sad news.

claretonthecoast1882 · Post by **claretonthecoast1882** » Thu Apr 03, 2025 3:40 pm

Really sad news, a proper boy.

RIP Andy

Herts Clarets · Post by **Herts Clarets** » Thu Apr 03, 2025 3:46 pm

A key figure in my first Burnley side to win promotion in 1982. Terribly sad news to read of his passing, a fan who lived the dream that many a supporter would dearly love. RIP Andy Wharton, claret and blue through and through.

Rumpelstiltskin · Post by **Rumpelstiltskin** » Thu Apr 03, 2025 4:10 pm

He always gave absolutely every last drop for Burnley

Holtyclaret · Post by **Holtyclaret** » Thu Apr 03, 2025 4:12 pm

Really sad news

mdd2 · Post by **mdd2** » Thu Apr 03, 2025 4:36 pm

That is an absolute shocker at just 63-far to young to be passing on. Condolences to family and friends.

Tricky Trevor · Post by **Tricky Trevor** » Thu Apr 03, 2025 4:38 pm

RIP Andy. Apart from the pleasure he me gave in our promotion season he was just a great guy. Lucky enough to have played TT against him, I lost obviously, and football.
I remember him winning 7 events in a day at Rossy schools sports day.
Condolences to Stan, a work colleague, and all other family and friends.

Colburn_Claret · Post by **Colburn_Claret** » Thu Apr 03, 2025 4:56 pm

Very sad news rip Andy

Silkyskills1 · Post by **Silkyskills1** » Thu Apr 03, 2025 5:23 pm

The 81/82 season stands out in my memory of him. After a poor start we employed a sweeper system with Andy and Brian Laws getting forward at every opportunity in a youthful, exuberant team. He did live the dream, took no prisoners( and as alluded to brick walls would present no problem when he was wearing a Clarets shirt) and scored some vital goals
for us. RIP Andy. Thankyou. A true Claret.

beddie · Post by **beddie** » Thu Apr 03, 2025 5:24 pm

Very sad news, I remember him playing for us. A lot of my mates referred to him as Knocker Wharton. RIP Andy.

Mixedkompany · Post by **Mixedkompany** » Thu Apr 03, 2025 5:28 pm

Sad news.
I played against him once in a 5 a side in Bacup.
Whilst I thought I was a decent player, he quickly made me look very average indeed.
It was no surprise he made it at BFC.
Condolences to his family.

andyh · Post by **andyh** » Thu Apr 03, 2025 5:45 pm

I remember seeing him playing on Edgeside Park with his mates the day after playing for our first team. Would never see that now. He just loved to play.

Billyblah · Post by **Billyblah** » Thu Apr 03, 2025 6:23 pm

I was in the same year as Andy at Fearns senior school, Stacksteads, Bacup so he would have been aged 62-63. I think the school has since been renamed. Met him in the Thomson centre bar, Burnley, a year or so after leaving school...round about 79/80. The barman wasn't in sight so Andy went behind the bar and started pulling pints for us all. Fun times.
My condolences to his family.

Woodleyclaret · Post by **Woodleyclaret** » Thu Apr 03, 2025 6:49 pm

Rip Andy "Tonka" Wharton .I remember a game v Oxford at the Manor when Andy put Oxfords flying winger Lawrence into the crowd with a crunching tackle.

Tricky Trevor · Post by **Tricky Trevor** » Thu Apr 03, 2025 6:56 pm

andyh wrote: ↑
Thu Apr 03, 2025 5:45 pm
I remember seeing him playing on Edgeside Park with his mates the day after playing for our first team. Would never see that now. He just loved to play.

I said, higher up, about playing football with him. One of those occasions was a Sunday match behind the Air Cadets on Burnley Rd, Rocky. As with you he had played for our first team the day prior.

Rowls · Post by **Rowls** » Thu Apr 03, 2025 7:14 pm

RIP Andy.

Spike · Post by **Spike** » Thu Apr 03, 2025 7:20 pm

He was a special player for Burnley
Hod Bless Him UTC!

HuncoatClaret · Post by **HuncoatClaret** » Thu Apr 03, 2025 7:32 pm

Such sad news.
I've fond memories of Andy in the back 5 1981/82 season.
RIP Andy.

Steve1956 · Post by **Steve1956** » Thu Apr 03, 2025 7:34 pm

What a shock great lad played against him a few times Andy and his brother Pete really where head and shoulders above the rest of us as footballers when we where kids both now sadly gone at very young ages
RIP Andy.

claretgimmer · Post by **claretgimmer** » Thu Apr 03, 2025 7:42 pm

Sad news indeed. Good lad. RIP Andy

Luppy · Post by **Luppy** » Thu Apr 03, 2025 7:54 pm

Very sad news - lived every claret fan's dream. Wore his heart on his sleeve - hard as nails. RIP Andy

HollandsPies · Post by **HollandsPies** » Thu Apr 03, 2025 8:51 pm

I too remember him scoring that goal at Doncaster in a midweek match stood behind the goals. Running down the wing, cutting in from the left and slamming it in at the near post (if I remember rightly). Fans behind went bonkers on a cinder terracing.
Later in the season went to Roots Hall for the last game where there is a photo of him drinking Champers from a bottle displaying his BFC tatts.

A true club legend and one of my all time favourite Burnley players.
Condolences to his family and friends.

RIP Andy, Andy Wharton (clap clap)

ClaretLoup · Post by **ClaretLoup** » Thu Apr 03, 2025 9:12 pm

Did he not score a cracker of a goal at that Southend game mentioned by HP to open the scoring?

HollandsPies · Post by **HollandsPies** » Thu Apr 03, 2025 9:28 pm

Yep, goals by McGoo, Wharton and Steven in a 1-3 away win.

HollandsPies · Post by **HollandsPies** » Thu Apr 03, 2025 9:32 pm

McGoo x2, Wharton and Laws. Got the scorers wrong

ClaretTony · Post by **ClaretTony** » Thu Apr 03, 2025 9:40 pm

HollandsPies wrote: ↑
Thu Apr 03, 2025 9:28 pm
Yep, goals by McGoo, Wharton and Steven in a 1-3 away win.

It was 4-1, McGee scored twice.

Jimmymaccer · Post by **Jimmymaccer** » Thu Apr 03, 2025 10:36 pm

sjb wrote: ↑
Thu Apr 03, 2025 2:59 pm
Awful news if confirmed. I can still see the goal he scored at Doncaster in our 81/2 promotion season. Left foot drive at the Burnley fans end much to the delight of those of us who had spent the game trying not to give South Yorkshire's finest Constabulary an excuse to beat 7 shades of sh1t out of us.
R.I P. Andy.

That’s the one……Doncaster away….

Dreadful news, for all his family, friends……….and fans.

prettygreenclaret · Post by **prettygreenclaret** » Thu Apr 03, 2025 10:40 pm

Really saddened to hear this. A through and through Claret all be it with a pretty short career with us. Seem to remember him scoring a great volley away at Carlisle to get us a 2 all draw in the cup 82 / 83 season and we won the replay at the Turf. 2 fab cup runs that season and got relegated back to 3rd division!

Lip · Post by **Lip** » Fri Apr 04, 2025 12:13 am

RIP Andy Wharton ..sad news another Claret bites the dust.

Bop · Post by **Bop** » Fri Apr 04, 2025 12:31 am

prettygreenclaret wrote: ↑
Thu Apr 03, 2025 10:40 pm
Really saddened to hear this. A through and through Claret all be it with a pretty short career with us. Seem to remember him scoring a great volley away at Carlisle to get us a 2 all draw in the cup 82 / 83 season and we won the replay at the Turf. 2 fab cup runs that season and got relegated back to 3rd division!

A last minute equaliser wasn’t it? Few in, so might be wrong.

Clive 1960 · Post by **Clive 1960** » Fri Apr 04, 2025 12:33 am

Very sad news about Andy and and such a young age , i used to think he was like a Terrier always at your ankles and wouldn't let go , a good little footballer. RIP..

RammyClaret61 · Post by **RammyClaret61** » Fri Apr 04, 2025 12:35 am

I remember one day, when I was a lorry driver in the U.K. I was on Strensham services near Worcester. I had a sun strip in the windscreen with “BURNLEY FC” on it. The team coach pulled on to the services, no idea who we were playing. Andy saw the sun strip, came over to me and ask if he could have a drive of my truck! So off around the services we went!! RIP Andy.

ecc · Post by **ecc** » Fri Apr 04, 2025 6:53 am

Terribly sad news. Seems like yesterday when he was playing.

Obviously hurts a lot of people hard as he was local and a Claret.

Tenacious, wore the Burnley shirt with great pride.

RIP

Culmclaret · Post by **Culmclaret** » Fri Apr 04, 2025 7:45 am

81/82 my favourite season. So much talent in that side. Andy wasn’t the most talented but my god he made up for it with spirit and tenacity. That team had a never say die mentality and Andy embodied that. He scored the goal that sparked us into life after losing 6 of the first eight games. Brian Miller was in hospital with appendicitis and no one gave us any hope away at Portsmouth. He lit up a dismally wet aftenoon with a swivelled half volley from the edge of the area to give us a 2-1 win ‘Andy, Andy Wharton’ RIP

turfytopper · Post by **turfytopper** » Fri Apr 04, 2025 8:13 am

Tragic news, One of the highlights of following the club in the early 80's was that "one of us" was out there working as hard as he could on our behalf. Gone far too soon. RIP Andy. I think a tribute on 63 minutes v Norwich?