Town to honour football 'legend'

Jimmy McIlroy pictured in Burnley strip in Sept 1959

Jimmy McIlroy scored 116 goals for for Burnley football club

Former Clarets striker Jimmy McIlroy is to be granted the Freedom of Burnley Borough to mark his football career and his charity work in the town.

The 77-year-old will be given the honour during the half time interval at Burnley football club's home game against Cardiff City on 9 December.

Burnley Council said it was asked to bestow the honour by Clarets fans who describe him as the club's best player.

McIlroy played for Burnley from 1950 to 1962 and scored 116 goals.

'Iconic player'

He was a player when the football club became the 1959-60 English League champions and appeared in the 1962 FA Cup Final.

The council was prompted to make the award after Burnley FC vice president Harry Brooks nominated the popular footballer.

The Mayor of Burnley, Councillor Ida Carmichael, will present McIlroy with a special medal and certificate.

The mayor said: "Jimmy was an iconic player who made Burnley his home. He had opportunities to turn his back on his adopted home and move elsewhere but he was never lured away and remained loyal to Burnley all these years.

"He was part of the championship winning team and I'm sure he is as pleased as everyone else at how well Burnley FC is doing this season."

Jimmy is still regarded as one of our greatest sons and he stands alongside such Lancashire greats as Stanley Matthews, Tom Finney and Nat Lofthouse as a real club ambassador

Barry Kilby, Burnley FC chairman

Council leader Gordon Birtwistle said: "Although he was born in Northern Ireland, Jimmy took Burnley to his heart and Burnley repaid the compliment.

"He is adored by fans of a certain age and just speaking his name alone conjures up memories of a golden age when Burnley Football Club was in its heyday."

Burnley FC chairman Barry Kilby said the honour was "richly deserved" and described the former player as a "legend".

"Jimmy is still regarded as one of our greatest sons and he stands alongside such Lancashire greats as Stanley Matthews, Tom Finney and Nat Lofthouse as a real club ambassador."

Freedom of the borough is the highest honour the council can award and is normally restricted to residents who have made a significant contribution to the borough over more than 15 years.

The last time Burnley Council conferred the Freedom of the Borough was in 1989 to HMS Active.