Coming soon - The Jimmy McIlroy Biography

Twelve months in the writing, large-size A4 format, 280+ pages and profusely illustrated, this book tells the story of Jimmy Mac from his boyhood in rural Ireland, to the award of Freeman of the Borough in 2008.

Using sections of his own 1960 book and taking the story on right on up until the present, chapters include his time at Glentoran, Burnley, playing for Northern Ireland, the 1958 World Cup in which N Ireland reached the quarter-finals, his transfer, the possible reasons behind it, playing for Stoke City and promotion with Stan Matthews, management at Oldham Athletic with Chairman Ken Bates, and then his short time at Bolton Wanderers as manager.

Other chapters look at the great players he admired and some of the great games he played in. Another chapter looks at the Burnley team of 1952/53, an unsung, seldom-remembered, skilful team that was top of the league in March and came very close to winning the title. The whole book is of course liberally sprinkled with Jimmy's stories and anecdotes.

Bolton Wanderers saw his last involvement with football and he returned to his old trade of bricklaying before being offered posts with both local newspapers. For several years until retirement he was a distinguished local journalist.

Work on this book began in May 2008 and the culmination of all the work will be the launch night on Friday October 23^rd at Turf Moor in the James Hargreaves Suite. This will be a supper night and birthday celebration. Tickets are just £5 including pie and peas, birthday cake, and four 8" x 6"colour card prints of Jimmy. On the 25^th Jimmy will be 78. If you are an out-of-towner why not make it a weekend visit? Come to the launch and stay over for the game the next day.

Jimmy Mac was one of the finest inside forwards of the 50s and early 60s. Had Jimmy given him a quiet nod Matt Busby would certainly have attempted to sign him. Those of us who saw him play will never forget his sublime skills on pitches that were as often as not mudbaths. On today's velvet pitches and with the light ball he would have been virtually unplayable and £40million would not be an unreasonable price.

Jimmy McIlroy Prince of Inside Forwards will be £19.95 but details of pre-publication signed-copy prices, and where and how to order the book, will be available shortly.

In conjunction with the book and to support the work of the Clarets Mad Youth Fund there will be a number of Jimmy Mac signed items appearing in the coming months either at CM functions or on this site as auction items.

Auction number one on the message board will be for a collection of FIVE Jimmy Mac signed programmes:

Two Burnley programmes feature Jimmy on the front cover. Two Stoke City programmes feature Jimmy on the front cover and the fifth programme is the 1963 Liverpool away programme which was Jimmy's last game for Burnley. This he has signed "my last game for Burnley." The last item is an outstanding and unique addition to anyone's collection.

Tickets for the October 23^rd launch will shortly be available either from the Bob Lord Reception desk or from Dave Thomas… 0113 2555350 or mob 07961 846636.