Jimmy McIlroy - This is Your Life

Last updated : 20 November 2009 By Tony Scholes
Jimmy McIlroy with special guests Jim Boyce, Willie Irvine, Jimmy Robson and Gordon Burns

Narrated by Ray Simpson, Burnley Football Club's Historian, Jimmy's life unfolded from the very beginnings through his Burnley career and right up to the present day.

There were special guests aplenty but none more special than Jim Boyce, the former President of the Irish Football Association, and BBC North West presenter Gordon Burns who spoke of his passion for the Northern Ireland side of the 1950s and of Danny Blanchflower and Jimmy McIlroy in particular.

Jim Boyce brought with him letters of support from esteemed Northern Ireland journalist Malcolm Brodie who had hoped to attend in person, and from Jimmy's former international team mate Harry Gregg.

Other special guests included Ronnie Clayton the former Blackburn Rovers wing half and captain along with some of Jimmy's colleagues from Turf Moor and a youngster he gave a debut to at Bolton by the name of Paul Fletcher.

It proved to be a memorable evening for Jimmy as part of his testimonial year with once again a full suite in the Longside stand at Turf Moor.