Northern Ireland and Burnley football legend Jimmy McIlroy dies at age of 86
FANS of Northern Ireland and Burnley are mourning the loss of one of their greatest ever footballers following the death of Lambeg-born Jimmy McIlroy at the age of 86.
The 1958 World Cup hero was also a key figure in the Burnley side which won the 1960 First Division title and reached the quarter-finals of the European Cup the following season.
He made 497 appearances for the club and scored 131 goals during a 13-year stay at Turf Moor.
Irish FA president David Martin said: “Everyone at the association and in the Northern Ireland football family is saddened to hear of the death of Jimmy McIlroy.
“He was one of the greatest ever players to come from our country and, of course, he was one of the heroes of Northern
Ireland’s famous 1958 World Cup squad. Jimmy was also a real gentleman and he will be sadly missed.”
Northern Ireland manager Michael O’Neill added: “Jimmy was one of the greatest ever players to have worn the green shirt of Northern Ireland.
“As well as being a hugely talented footballer who reached the highest levels of the game, he was also a fantastic person and anyone who ever met him was struck by his warmth, his humility and his passion for football.
“Jimmy will be sadly missed, but what he achieved on the pitch for Northern Ireland will always be remembered.”
In a statement posted on their official Twitter account, Burnley said: “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.”
McIlroy joined Burnley from Glentoran in 1950 after they beat Tottenham and Rangers to the punch and became a mainstay of the side which secured top seven finishes every season between 1956 and 1963.
They claimed the title at the end of the 1959-60 campaign, qualifying for Europe in the process, only to fall at the last eight stage after a 4-1 second leg defeat in Hamburg.
McIlroy left the club for Stoke in 1963 and finished his playing days at Oldham, where he later had a brief spell as manager, a role he also fulfilled with Bolton.
A skilful inside forward, he won 55 caps for his country and helped them reach the quarter-finals at the 1958 World Cup in Sweden.
Such was his talent that McIlroy had offers to play abroad, but decided to stay in England and kept his home in Burnley until his death. He was awarded an MBE in the 2011 New Year’s Honours for his services to football and charity.