Jimmy Mac to be inducted into Hall of Fame

Last updated : 16 October 2014 By Tony Scholes

It's been a mystery to me how we've got to October 2014 before Jimmy Mac was considered but better late than never.

The panel set up to decide on who should be inducted was set up in 2002 and comprised Jimmy Armfield, Sir Trevor Brooking, Jimmy Hill, Mark Lawrenson and Gordon Taylor. Subsequently both Graham Taylor and Steve Hodge were added.

All living inductees are automatically added to the selection panel so there is a growing number of football personalities now making the decisions.

Jimmy will be inducted tonight alongside Patrick Vieira, Michael Owen, Alan Shearer, Trevor Francis, Ray Wilkins, Matt Dimbylow (captain of the England Cerebral Palsy team), women's football pioneer Sylvia Gore MBE and the goalscoring phenomenon of the 1920s and 1930s Hughie Gallagher who played for Newcastle and Chelsea.

There are also two special awards to be made. The first goes to The Football Battalion, a group of professional footballers and fans who fought in the Battle of the Somme, and the second to the 1880s Preston team known as The Invincibles.

When the names were announced in April, Jimmy said: "I am thrilled to be chosen by the illustrious selection panel; it is truly an honour to be joining the Hall of Fame."

On the night of his induction I am sure I can speak on behalf of ever Burnley fan in saying that I'm thrilled to finally see Jimmy McIlroy's name included and send all our congratulations.