Jimmy Mac – 75

Last updated : 25 October 2006 By Tony Scholes
It's just over 56 years since Jimmy first wore the Burnley shirt in a first team game, at Sunderland four days before his nineteenth birthday, and he went on to become without doubt our best player in the side that eventually lifted the League Championship.

Over 50 Northern Ireland caps came his way, he represented his country in the 1958 World Cup Finals in Sweden, and besides playing and starring in our Championship team he played for Burnley in the European Cup and an FA Cup Final.

He finally left Burnley under circumstances that no one has ever got to the bottom of. It was a decision made by former Chairman Bob Lord and it led to some supporters never ever returning to Turf Moor.

Everything that needs to be said about Jimmy Mac has been said, everything that needs to be written about him has been written, but take a look at The Signing of a Legend which was our tribute to him on his 70th birthday five years ago, his entry in the Hall of Fame and Raise a glass to Vintage Claret which featured in the Guardian in January 2000.

Happy Birthday Jimmy