Burnley, Northern Ireland legend Jimmy McIlroy dies, aged 86

By Barney Corkhill, Editor | 20 August 2018

Former Burnley and Northern Ireland forward Jimmy McIlroy, who won the First Division title with the Clarets in 1960, dies at the age of 86.

Former Burnley and Northern Ireland forward Jimmy McIlroy has died at the age of 86.

McIlroy scored 131 goals in 497 appearances for Burnley between 1950 and 1962, helping the club to the 1960 First Division title and reaching the European Cup quarter-finals the following season.

The former striker also scored 10 goals in 55 appearances for Northern Ireland and was a key part of the squad that reached the last eight of the 1958 World Cup.

Jimmy McIlroy: 1931-2018.
The club is deeply saddened to learn of the death of our greatest ever player.
A giant of a man.
The thoughts of everyone connected with the club are with his family and friends at this sad time.
Rest in peace, Jimmy. pic.twitter.com/pHDU7i1NHy
— Burnley FC (@BurnleyOfficial) August 20, 2018

"A wonderfully skilful and creative player, McIlroy went on to become a mainstay of the side that didn't finish outside the top seven in the First Division between 1956 and 1963 - the year he left the club to join Stoke City in a move that devastated the club's supporters," read a statement from the club.

"His home remained Burnley, where he lived for the rest of his life. The Clarets have lost a true club great and a part of their history, and the club's thoughts are with his family and friends on this sad day."

McIlroy also played for Glentoran, Stoke City and Oldham Athletic during his career, before managing Oldham and Wigan Athletic.