A champion with both teams

Connelly was a member of the Burnley team that won the league championship in 1959/60 although he was sat in a hospital bed after a knee operation as his understudy Trevor Meredith scored the winning goal at Maine Road that clinched the title.

He left Burnley in 1965 for Manchester United and went on to win a title with them whilst his England career continued to blossom until the start of the 1966 World Cup. He played in the first game of the finals tournament against Uruguay but as Alf Ramsey adopted a style without wingers he was left out and didn't play for his country again.

John was one of over 36,000 Burnley fans at Wembley in May and tonight he'll be back on the Turf Moor pitch he graced with such distinction in the 1950s and 1960s. And he'll be assured of a warm welcome from all parts of the ground.

The choice of Connelly is a good one, not only because he played for both sides, but as we embark on the 50^th anniversary season of winning the championship it is appropriate that one member of that side should be the guest tonight.