Taffy to make draw

Last updated : 09 January 2009 By Tony Scholes
Leighton James
Leighton, or 'Taffy' as he is known to just about every Burnley fan, had four separate spells as a player at Burnley after starting his career with us as an apprentice in the late 60s. He became an influential member of the side that won the second division in 1973 and went on to reach the FA Cup Semi-Final in the following year.

He left Burnley in 1975 for Derby but was back in 1978, signed from QPR. His stay was under two years before he moved again to Swansea and helped John Toshack's side to the old first division.

Newport, Sunderland and Bury all benefited from his services before he ended his playing career where it started at Turf Moor and for a time he was youth team coach at Burnley.

His last role in the north west was as manager of Morecambe before he moved into media work with Radio Lancs which continued until his move back to Wales.

He was a massive crowd favourite during those early days at Burnley and he was also a big favourite of the Swansea fans in the early 80s.

It will be good to see him back again at Turf Moor and I can't believe he'll get anything other than a superb reception from the stands.