Inside Lancashire Sport

Tell us who you rate as the greatest ever Burnley player and why...

Michael Kierans
It was Willie Morgan for me and I think he was one of the great wingers of the era. 'Holding the ball close he beats a man easier than anyone ive seen' George Best quote from Shoot magazine 1973.

Alex Elder
He could stay with the wingers, he tackled fairly and he could attack almost as well as any winger could.

Carmel Auston
Ray POinter

Andy Holden
Any one of the team that did Leeds 5 - 1 at the Turf. Magic took place that day. Now live down under but spend thousands to get to an odd game.

Martin Dobson
When the chips were down and the pressure was on he came good no matter what.

Graham
As aUnited fan who watched Burnley beat Utd 4-2 March 59, I am still in love with my home town team. I have moved on but I am not sure it is better! Sadly,not many of us saw Big Dunc!

Ian Spencer
The one, the only, Mr David Eyres (Don't forget Jamie Hoyland - He drew out my winning Striker Lottery ticket)

Carole Turner
Jimmy McIlroy. Sheer unassuming talent

Michael Forrest
I cant comment on best ever tbh coz im only 16 but while ive been watching burnley players like, robbie blake, glen little, andy payton,steve davis,gary cahill and wade elliott have been the best. but its obvious what ive seen of him jimmy macilroy is the greatest

RICHARD NUTTALL.BACUP
Billy Hamilton,Terry Cochrane 2 irish greats,Stevie Kindon,leighton James,Ralph Coates,Trevor Steven and of course, LAST but not least GEORGE OGHANI !!!

westie
best player jimmy mac

meg worswick
willie irvine

jim kendall
not only burnley,s best player, but in his day probably in the worlds top five.

DAVID EYRES
always a class above the rest

JOSH THOMPSON
ANDY COLE A SOLID LEGEND

Richard Holgate
I agree Jimmy McIlroy, then Ray pointer

Martin Dobson
just because he was an amazing player and he was the last player for burnley to play for england!!

Gary S
Chris pearce what a star always played with a smile on his face and never let the club down thanks for the memoriers.

bob
colin mc donalad was the grat england goalie there was nowt to touch him, but for his bad injury he would have been the england goalie for a very long time he was magnificent

70yeas experiance
the goalie colin mc donald. the younguns have seen nowt

jimmy mcilroy
best inside forward in the uk in his prime - would be worth £20m plus in todays money

ronnie maher
dobson noble newton so many to much choice

Alex
Got to be Roger Eli with John Francis and Glen Little a close 2nd

tom
Paul Weller, loyal, class player.

mike
hard one this as Im a life long rovers fan .Blacklaw,Connolly, Newton and Todd all played for rovers and played well for burnley. I think Pionter, Dobson and Mckillroy have all left their mark at Burnley

David Eyres
The best i've seen at Burnley.

Ron Holt
Jimmy Mcllroy could control any game and his Jimmy Shimmy left defenders for dead.He was the greatest Burnley player

ossy jack
was a freind of the great neil franklin of stoke and england and he allways said JIMMY ADAMSON

Ashleigh Jacklyn Blant
Just seen my dad's name...Colin Blant, was he any good?

Graham Barker
Martin Dobson ( sheer class ). All time best.David Eyres fantastic goal at Wembley.Modern day player has to be Robbie Blake

GRAHAM RUSSELL SUTTON ON SEA LINCS
JIMMY MC BUT DON'T FORGET RAY POINTER

John Wilson
Rocket Ron FutcherWhen we needed a goal scorer he was the man

Steve St Annes
He was so good they wrote a song about him. .....Jimmy McIlroy

jinjo
BRAP! devo kyle laffaty and my bruva thinks ADE AKINBIYI i think hes bad

claret youth
Andy Gray as he is a proven goal scorer. ANDY GRAY! ANDY GRAY! ANDY, ANDY GRAY! HE GETS THE BALL AND HE SCORES A GOAL! ITS ANDY, ANDY GRAY!!

Allan Entwistle
Andy Wharton - BFC tattoo on his knucklesA Bacup boy cum gudwell hard - ten men

richard parry staffs
all the great wingers we've produced, jimmy mcilroy,leighton james,trevor steven, terry cochrane,glenn little need i say more

john faulkner
david eyres must be one of the greatest he was beut

Steve
Glen Little was talented and possessed good skill and was great to watch.

les newcombe
alex elder john angnus best full back i have ever seen there was not another two like them who could touch them they were the best

Ste C , Tyldesley
Andy Payton ,Ture Claret ,through and through

Deccy
''ANDY PAYTON EASY''

Rob
Ralph Coates was my hero he just never gave up.

ray lane
Jimmy Adamsona Class Player

Adam
"Jimmy Mc is the legend and we need him now"!!!!

Juan Cuzov
My player has to be Mike Phelan wot a player he was!!!!!!! & Adian Heath.The greatest ever.

Reg Barrowclough
My greatest player was George Beel he was class, a lot better than the overpaid players now.

harry boys
JOINT PLAYERS I THINK..JIMMY ADAMSON & JIMMY MCILROY.

Ronnie Laycock France
My dad who also saw Jimmy McIlroy always said Bob Kelly was the bestBut for me we have never had anyone else with his ball control and passing accuracy. It has to be magic Jimmy McIlroy a legend for all time

James Riley
Roger Eli

John Whitfield
Willie Morgan because he could turn fullbacks inside out

R Matthews
Ray Deakin, englands answer to roberto carlos

Steve Lee
My All Star Team is - Blacklaw; Angus, Adamson, Dobson, Elder; Morgan, McILROY, O'NEIL, James; Lochead, Irvine: subs - Noble, McMinn, Miller, Pointer

Stan woolley
It has to be Brian O'Neil If you had a team of 10 O'Neil's you would not lose many if any games. He never new when he was beaten, Great Player very underestimated.

Dave Heywood
My girlfriend plays with a girl whos dad is colin blant! what a nice guy!! never saw him play! any good?

hayley tarn
robbie blake

Peter Noble
Played like Bobby Charlton with attitude!

bradley brown
willie Irvine

chris h
it can only be ralph coates,i cried the day burnley sold him to spurs,mind you i was only eight,got my mum to sew his number on to my shirt,used to stand outside his house waiting for his autograph,he went on to score the winner for spurs in the league cup final and should have played in mexico in the world cup,was left out as he was not from a poular club,

HARRY BOYS
JIMMY ADAMSONA CLASS PLAYER WHO CAME FROM N/ EAST AS SO MANY OF BURNLEYS PLAYERS DID AT THAT TIME .UNHURRIED IN HIS ACTIONS HE WAS CLINICAL WITH HIS PASSING OF THE BALL AS WAS HIS LINE PARTNER REG ATWELLANOTHER GREAT PLAYER IN THE SAME MOULD .HARD TO CHOOSE BETWEEN THE TWO BUT I YHINK JIMMY HAD THE EDGE .

Ronald Hill
I think Paul "Gazza" Gascoigne was the biggest name player we have ever had!

philip johnson
for me it's Robbie Blake. I've seen all the great wingers. Connelly, Kindon, Morgan, James, Thomas, Steven, Dobson, Little. Something tells me there's a sting to come.

Tom Campbell
Jimmy McIlroy. He had everything in his locker.Skilful, strong and fantastic vision. He was also a gentleman on and off the park.Thank you Jimmmy for the many great games I saw you play in.

'Bop' Sandbach
Andy Payton - A Burnley fan - average talent - world class commmitment - I wish I could have had the opportunity to score in front of 'The Longside - BURNLEY' Bertie Mee said to Bill Shankly have you heard of the North Bank, Highbury. Shanks said no - I don't think so - but I've heard of the LONGSIDE -- Burnley!

phillip church accrington
ADAM BLACKLAW

lumi
berisha

Mike Garland
Dave Thomas was my N0 1Leighton James No 2and Martin Dobson No 3Also liked Ray Hankin, Alan Stevenson and Peter Noble

John Connolly Bacup
Jimmy Mac,John Connelly.Dobo,Doug Collins,Ralphy,GlennyBoy,Brian O,niel,Ray Pointer Robbie Blake,Trevor Steven........ saw them all. For me Supertaff by a whisker.

ian wright
ian wright wright wright

Gordon Elliman JP
Leighton James - pure genius, something was always going to happen when he was on the ball.

turf rambo
Andy Payton. True Claret born and bread. Natural goal scorer

Eugene Kosciw , Rawtenstall
How about Ray Pointer, has everyone forgotten him, a prolific goalscorer who lit up Turf Moor. There is also Ralph Coates, Martin Dobson, Peter Noble and lets not forget goalkeepers such as Alan Stevenson, Peter Mellor and Adam Blacklaw.

Christopher Quinn
Jimmy McIlroy.....so good he became legend.

Roger G
Jimmy Adamson,Footballer of the year,Captain of the great 1960 's team and a perfect gentleman on and off the pitch.

scott boylan
it has to be jimmy mac, im too young too have seen him play but he is a legend of the club that will always be remembered

Glyn
Colin Blant - anyone who saw him play knows he could play equally badly at the back or up front. BUT what a legend!!!!!

Jimmy McIlroy
He did it all brilliantly.

AJ THE LOVE WALRUS
ANY PLAYER WHO PLAYS WITH PASSION AND FOR THE SHIRT,NOT JUST FOR THE MONEY IS A GREAT BURNLEY PLAYER

David Hambley
I saw him play and it must be the incomparable Jimmy Mac. Ralph Coates and Steve Kindon are honorable runners up.

damian raynor
not old enough to remember jimmy mac so will have to say leighton james a.k.a.super taff

joe
kieth newton,but look were he started

Sam and Tom
Our Grandad said Tommy Lawton was the best centre forward ever to play football. Didn`t he begin his career at Turf Moor?

claret youth
Graham De Branchio because he's one of the most loyal players ive ever seen & Super Andy Gray because he can score goals for fun

Martin, Runcorn Claret
Nobody has mentioned Steve 'Headless' Taylor, maybe not the best, but the most passionate.

Steve, Burnley
It has to be David Eyres! Wembley 94 never to be forgotten..

joey from tod
theres only one for me. but its a shame he was never given the chance to play for his country. we love u branch

TREVOR J HORNER
TOMMY BOYLEGREAT LEADER,ONE OF THE BESTHEADERS OF THE BALL. COULD TACKLE HARD,GOOD PACE,READ THE GAME WELL,GOOD VISION WHEN PASSING THE BALL.

Mike J
Tough call - Best crosser of the ball ever Dave Thomas. Best midfielder in his day Martin Dobson. But could also throw in to the pot Peter Noble and Leighton James...

Malcolm
Best team? McDonald, Angus, Miller, Dbson, Elder, Steven, O`Neil, McIlroy, James, Irvine, Harris.

Harry
Martin Dobson

claret youth
GRAY, GRAY, ANDY, ANDY GRAY, HE GETS THE BALL, HE SCORES A GOAL, ITS ANDY ANDY GRAY!!!!

richard
andy payton

WIlfrid Napier
My vote for the greatest Burnley player goes to Jimmy Adamson, captain of the Championship winning side of 1959-1960.

tom
can,t understand anyone thinking any further than the world class colin mc donald. all i can say is they never so him play

jack b
colin mc donald goalie for england in world cup games. that speaks for its self, he was just a brilliant player

tom
had to be steve davis

steve
colin mcdonald was ther for a long time but for his bad injury, he was the best by far nowt to touch him for class

roy
world class colin mc donald the great england goal keeper, we should be very proud of this super star

colin waldron
he was the best defender in the country in the 1970's. very underrated and should have been an international.

Leighton James
Leighton James the Welsh wizard

tom
obvious some fans never so colin mc donald our world class goalie

meg
the padiham predator (Andy Payton)!!! legend in his own right!

Brian O'Neill
Tenacious player with plenty of skill. Always gave 110%

colin mcdoinald
if he had not had a serious injury he would have been england regular goalie that can not be said of many of our players. thats why i think he must be the greatest. ho i have whatched them60year at least

jack
great to see fans voteing for our world class goalkeeper colin mc donald he was magnificent nowt to touch him

john connely
terrific to watch in action

tom
some good players are not world class. the brilliant goalkeeper colin mc donald was world cup player as well

andy grey
he scores good goals and is good at taccaling

Boyle
Never, It Has Got To Be Graham D Branchio!!! Then Brian Jensen, of course burnleys best ever keeper

JL
Tony Philliskirk, no question.

gavin elacott
i think it i correct because jimmy mciroy did the club great and he is a true bunrnley lenged

Jim Barrow
are all you Burnley fans forgeting what a great goalkeeper you had in Harry Tomson? god in a green jersey

Ray Moorehead
Majestic, sublime and elegance personified with an engine that would grace today's game. Who? Martin Dobson that's who!!

colin
colin mc donald was in a different class he was world class goalkeeper pity a lot of present day fans did not see him play

Geoff
It as to be between Ralph Coates and Brian O'Neil but I don't know how to choose between two of the all time Claret greats.

A.WHITTAKER
DOBBO ALWAYS HAD TIME ON THE BALL OOZED CLASS

stuart > the claret
andy gray > ade akinbiyi > billy hamilton > pure class just watch the clarets go up next season ? up the clarets come on boys make my day yipeeeeeee

andy gray
becoz hes great on the ball hes passing and sum of his goals are fantastic

jack
how can the younger ones compare if they have not seen them. colin mc donald for me he was world class goalie

martin marcola
graham branch

70years exp
the great colin mc donald

Frank Casper
He was whole-hearted, skillful and a great team player. Trampled on by Spurs, he still came back to frighten Newcastle in the Cup semi.

billy hamilton
brilliant header of the ball,superb pace and o great servant of the club steve helm padiham

mike b
Billy Hamilton. Great pace and skill. the best

Dave Thomas
Thought he was a great player as well, Ray Hankin and Peter Noble Leighton James Alan Stevenson are my other heros

Martin Dobson
Thought he was a great player

Shawy
Prehaps not the best, but certainly a fan favourite, Branchy.

claretandblue1882
Keith Newton...What a cool player

Thomas
Jimmy Mac by far. His fantastic dribbling fooled any opponent.

Paul French
Jimmy McIlroy

Richard Clarke.
Trevor Steven gets my vote. He had a great understanding of the game but he also had creative flare which was a pure joy to watch. All the he promise he showed at Burnley was defiently for-filled in a fantastic career with Everton, Rangers & England.

Ralph Coates Comb
It's Ralphy all the way! His goal against Chelsea still makes the hairs on the back of my neck stand up! After him... Brian O'Neil & Dobbo... sheer class!

bob
the best is 'graham branch'

H Fielding
Jimmy Adamson - The brains behind the great Harry Potts teams - greatly underrated. He is what the current Burnley team lack - an on field general - able to influence the pattern of play from within instead of the screaming coaches from the touchline. You never saw Harry Potts jumping up and down on the line!

John Deary
Cant believe no one else has mentioned him. Great box to box midfielder never replaced

lucy cummings
I would have to say Tommy Cummings. Not just because he is my grandad but because I am extremely proud of him because I watched his famous goal nd have heard loads of stories from him and others.

horrocks
i think jimmy mciloy is the best player for burnley eva.

Chris Whitaker
total genius tackler / goalscoer in the 1980s

Tammy Linsell
bob armstrong, because he never lacked enthusiasm

david powley
greatest player - martin dobson - class / vision / pace / leader and could score

sam taylor
as i am only 16 i would say from all my years of watchin burnley i would chose andy payton natural goal scorer. he was a burnley lad he showed a lot of passion towards the game superb player who loved the club he played for

brendan padiham
marlon beresford was the best burnley keeper of all times then andy payton also he was a legend also

David Eyres
Entertaining, skilful, wore his heart on his sleeve, you can't ask for anything more.

claret youth
Andy Gray all the way!! SUPER SUPER SUPER SUPER ANDY GRAY!!!!!!!!

burnley #1 team
Bertie Bee for me! Buzzzzzzzz!!!!

dan
seeing that pic of the tinman brought back the good times!!! only a matter of time !!!!!!!!!! cmon u clarets

spen
ian britton is the best player and he is my best mate dad and he is well gd best player ever !!!

Darren Ingham
Jimmy Mac must be the best of all time. Of my era i have seen some good players for our level..payton, stevie davis,glen little,david eyres, chaplow but the best player i have seen is none other than Robbie Blake.Shame the way he left influences the way we remember him.up the clarets!!

jimmy mcillroy
hes mint

Juan De Fuca
branchy greatest goal scorer of all time 800 goals for club next polish captain fit enough for england u21

John Kelly
1st to anon... burnley have never won nowt??? my friend, Bob kelly was the first player to orchestrate the finest performances that burnley fans ever saw. he ended up with 14 england caps over 8 years with 8 goals! are you the same ANON who texts in the daily star everyday... you are... get a life!!!!!! 2nd...For all you burnley fans who adore Jimmy Mcilroy, go take alook at claretsmad website and look for the hall of fame number 33, Jimmy mcilroy says at the end of the fact file for BOB KELLY that somebody said to him that he was a very good player but our best was Bob kelly. if your all wondering who i am... my names John Kelly, Bob kelly's great great great NEPHEW. im just trying to give my family the credit they deserve above people like bobby charlton e.t.c, because if it wernt for Bob Kelly, nobody would remember those players who came after him.

Wilkie
OO !!! George Oghani !!!!

Lahm Pople
Gifton noel-williams BURNLEYS RECORD SIGNING AND GOAL SCORER WITH 8 GOALS IN 2 YEARS WOT A LEGEND!!!!!!

liam taylor
THE best player burnley has ever had is the one and only GRAHAM BRANCH

Tobias wilson
grahem branch wot a legend !!!! grahem di branchio

Andy G
Best are all too long ago, sorry to say. Jimmy Mac, Dobbo, Trevor Steven, Ray Hankin, Flynn, James, (deceptive - actually slower than he looked :-)) Crowd pleasers, Tin Man made me smile, as did Chris "Give us a dance" Pearce. Anyone remember who we sang "Hit him with an ironing board" to?

stevie kindon
could out pace mcdonald

Jordan
Personally i think it should be David Eyres. More recently though people like Payton and Davis

ashley harrison
jimmy mac all time legend

jack from ossy
when the great neil franklin had a pub in ossyhe allways said jimmy adamson now thats from a man many said was one of the best ever 20 odd caps for england he said jimmy was to clever for his own team mates

jimmy mcillroy
one of the best inside forwards ever in the world: sheer magic

Damien Lord
David Eyres - All round legend

Steve Pomfret
Obviously McIlroy but full marks to Tommy Cummings for his amazing goal against Newcastle and to Harold Mather who, after stamping his cigarette out on the grass while Reg Attwell was finshing off his pint, came on to halt Stanley Matthews at every dribble. Two of the more memorable views from the old Bee Hole end.

Michael Wilkinson (London Claret)
Jimmy McIlroy, without a doubt, I shed tears when he was sold to Stoke

sarah
i think jimmy mcilroy is burnleys best footballer his great team work and effort helped burnley football club and still does

Jack Wilkinson
I have followed the Clarets since 1947 and maintain that Jimmy Mcilroy was the best Burnley player ever. I wish that we could have the like today.

jack from ossy
with out adout colin mc donald would have been the england goalie for ever ihave whatched them 55years

jack
jimmy mac and gifton legends

danny
andy payton the best real player

Aidan Wilson
No-one person- but Glenn Little and Ade Akinbiyi, Andy Gray and Kyle Lafferty are my recent favourites.

ray pointer
what a cntr forward. still cry when i c his goals. football magician at the top. no defender could live with him now adays.

diholtio
Jimmy Mac, but Gel Little for modern times.

phil carter
Andy Todd cos he is premiership class at a premier club.

Daz Coates
Ray Deakin (whooooooosh) or maybe Billy Hamilton

John Palmer Burnley
I heard Jimmy McIlroy was very good and only seen clips of him, for me it would have to be Andy Payton, Steve Davis, Dean West and Super Glen Little

andy hobson
yeh jimmy mcilroy is by far the best

Stevie Cronshaw.
Billy Hamilton.

chris bullock
jimmy mcilroy

David eyres
heart of gold

Titch
Jimmy McIlroy, wotta player!!! Gotta be da best!!

wahid
i think that steve kindon was the best and still is the best because he was a fast footballer and new what to do!

Kelvin Stevenson
Jimmy McIlroy was the greatest player of all time in any football club

edward cockcroft ,scarborough.
jimmy mcilroy ,closely followed by ralph coates and martin dobson.frank casper and leighton james were always exciting to watch.

brummie claret
many greats my vote dobbo poetry in motion claret for ever jim byrne

Jeff. Blackburn [Padiham exile]
Followed the Clarets for 40 years, only seen Jimmy Mac on video he is the best,then it's Casper who if he had'nt been kicked off the pitch in a night game at the Turf V Spurs in 67/8 that eventually ended his career could have been no 1,then in no particular order Peter Noble scored 4 goals in 4.4 draw with Norwich. Dobson, Thomas, coates, Morgan, Connelly, James, O'Neill, Elder, Angus, Doug Collins, Lochead, Irvine, Stevenson and not forgetting Keith Newton, who was such a great influence on the young players when we won the Division 2 Championship in 74. All these played at the highest level for Burnley not in the stiffs of league's 3 and 4. So it's like comparing a Rolls Royce with a Lada.[No offence Lada owners]If I could take some of the young fans back to the days when Coates and Morgan used to swap wings during games leaving the full backs looking at the bench because they did'nt know what to do they would amazed.

Nick Gower
Willie Irvine. What a goalscorer!!!

jim winkley
I would agree about jimmy mac but a close second must come Willie Morgan.I will never forget the roasting he gave Cantwell when Burnley beat Man U at Turf Moor one christmas.Cantell back pedalled that much he fell into the crowd.If Willie could have scored goals he would have been up there with George Best he was certainly as elusive.I was lucky enough to spend some time with Jimmy Adamson and he told us hoe aprehensive the team had been on Alex Elders debut at Preston after Smith had broken his leg.How amazed they all were when Elder played the great Tom out of the ganme.

Steve Derby
What great players are mentioned here. Probably, Jimmy Mac was the greatest of them all. Don't forget "the thinking man's goalkeeper," the wonderful Colin MacDonald. Just when the England selectors discovered they had a world-class talent to call on, injury curtailed his career. I'll never forget him repelling Brazil in 1958!

steve scroop
definitely ralph coates

gary foulds
chris waddle

S.Y.S
ANDY PAYTON ALL TIME LEAD SCORER [|LEGEND| ]

WILF Nelstan
my father sez Dave Thomas i didnt see him but fo me Chris Pearce mad as a box o frogs

Jimmy McIlroy
Skill, judgement and awareness all superb.

steve teps taylor
peter noble hoovey never had a bad game

Pete Davis, Burnley
All time legend, Jimmy McIlroy... ...recent hero, super Glenny Little! (and local lad Andy, Andy Payton)

phil holden
Jimmy McIlroy. hes a great friend and the best burnley has ever seen

benjamin
peter swan, steve davis, etc. anyone from the old days

Dave, Sabden
Jimmy Mac must have been the greatest though I`m too young to remember him - most exciting player I saw was Stevie Kindon in the 70`s

Deano
Graham de Branchio - wot a legend

pouch
Steve Kindon fastest brickwall ever to grace turf

Bob Belshaw
Jimmy McIlroy He was one man who controlled 21 others every match

HAROLD jONES
THE GREATEST EVER PLAYER WAS JIMMY McILROY, WHEN BOB LORD SOLD JIMMY TO STOKE CITY BURNLEY LOST A LOT OF SUPPORT WHICH HAVE NEVER COME BACK THAT SHOWS WHO WAS THE BEST

Mike Lambert
Ralph Coates - a great player and a number 1 record (Beckham never managed that).

Steven Ireland
I have seen so many excellent players in the Claret shirt but Ralf Coates would have to get my vote

David Baxter
Shortly after a disappointing trip to Anfield Liverpool, I was walking home with my father trying to contain my emotions after hearing that my hero, Jimmy McIlroy was to be placed on the transfer list. The floodgates opened when my father prophetically told me I would never again see the likes of Jimmy McIlroy. He was right! I still wear my rose coloured spectacles and cherish the memories of those days. Jimmy was mesmerising but credit should go to the whole team. I missed Halley, Boyle and Watson and a few more before and since the halcyon days. But Jimmy was never booked, though often provoked by people like Dave Ewing, and other thugs a plenty. Immaculate in his distribution, a wonderful reader of the game, a credit to Burnley both on and off the field. Perhaps one day I might be able to have a conversation with him. In truth, none of us can really say who was the best and I would certainly not wish to disparage the choice of others, except to say I have noticed some of the other nominees obviously went to the Dave Ewing School of etiquette. Stanley Matthews is quoted as having said, "If a footballer deliberately fouls me, he immediately admits his inferiority" Jimmy McIlroy agrees with that sentiment and so do I.

joanne
my fav player is my friend harold who played for burnley in the thirties

Si
Ray Deacon Wooosh - what a footballer lol

lee netherlands
paul fletcher steve kingdom ray hankin brian flynn andy lockhead adam blacklaw tony waiters peter mellow

brian australia
jimmy adamson for me. he never let burnley down. jimmy mac. did in the 1963 cup fial.

Mr.John M. Wingham
Jimmy McIlroy was a master of ball control and accuracy. I have not seen a penalty taken better in 44 years of world wide football

Kevin McCall
I have to say Jimmy Mcilroy can still remember being 4-0 down at Spurs and coming away with a draw...courtesy of this great player

stephen chippendale
billy hamilton grafter and hero

simon caddy
ever since ive watched burnley i think gelen vlittle has to be world class

Ron E
Jimmy McIlroy closely followed by Frank Casper and Martyn Dobson. All class footballers with football brains. For honest endevour (and not a little skill) could not look beyond Brian O'Neill and Ray Pointer although Brian would probably not stay on the field in todays namby pamby football. Thanks for the memories in the 60s and 70s you were all fantastic footballers and great entertainers playing for the game and the club; not money.

Les Ingham in Perth W.Australia
Jimmy Mac. the complete footballer in the Good Old Days

Anon
Burnley Has neva sin a good player

Jimmy McIlroy
Who else? Nolic

Larry, Leighton Buzzard
Willie Irvine, Alf Ramsey wished he was english, he was that good. A broken leg at Everton took the edge of our greatest striker.

steve mault
I think the best player who ever played for the clarets, apart from Jimmy Mac was Ray Pointer

Michael W, Bolton
The best best Burnley player I have seen play is Martin Dobson, but my uncle who has seen him and Jimmy Mac and has seen as far back as the early 1920's says that BOB KELLY was the best Burnley player of all time

jack
jimmy macilroy great player superb ledgend

JOHN STOTT
DAVE THOMAS...BRILLIANT

todclaret
Doug Collins, the unsung hero of that fabulous team from the early 70s

Liam Azza
Jimmy McILroy the burnley legend

Duncan ramsbottom
genius the complete footballer Jimmy Mcllroy

Jimmy Mcllroy
genius the complete footballer

neil kirk
ralph coates brilliant

Selby Claret Founder member
Tommy Cummings hasn't had a mention - and he was THE central defender in the Championship season and my hero

Sam Coleman
Since I have been following the Clarets, it has to be Glen Little - I'm glad he will be playing in the Prem next season!

paul mac (lincoln)
david eyres was top banana,up the clarets,down with blackburn.

David Connelly
Frank Casper - I used to be a Leeds fan as a boy and only went cos he was my Uncle! But seriously I absolutely enjoyed the opportunity to experience the atmosphere at the Turf. And we will never see a team like the one he was in in the seventies again. It was a golden age for all sport including Football. Frank Casper was one of the best players in the North West hotbed ever to come through. He played how he lived and was thoroughly decent.

sus-munich
nobody remember tony morley? no but it has to be andy payton (deadly)on and off the field a true claret and just a padiham lad realy-cheers for those years mate.

Pete (Newtownards, Northern Ireland)
It has to be Jimmy Mac, but I personally always thought that Dave Thomas was a brilliant player, always ready to take his man on and what a crosser of the ball.

Ted Mcminn
He was an entertainer and an excellent player

Terry Hodgson
Jimmy Mac the best, but don't forget Tommy Lawton, Colin McDonald,John Angus,Brian O'Neil,Willie Morgan,Martin Dobson,Trevor Steven and many more that run him close, dozens of them, wish I could list them all.

russell lambert
ian britton is a legend on and off the field

TREVOR BRADLEY
JIMMY McILROY WORLD CLASS

Wayne Miller
Martin Dobson

Ronald- Baxenden
Kevin Rooster Russel, only with us for 6 months but a great finisher!

Brent Bolton
John Angus Pure class

Bernie Tinsley
Jimmy Mcilroy, simply the best.

dom c
jimmy mcilroy legend in his own right "jimmy get your boots back on"

Steve Blackburn
Frank Casper - he could turn on a sixpence

damian raynor
peter noble

Chris Dempsey
It's Willie Morgan for me, Burnley best ever winger, followed by Willie Irvine, best goal scorer for a long while, third would be Leighton James, the Welsh wizard with a lethal cross.

Ralph's Wisp
Ralph Coates, a true star

Millsy
Marshall Burke was my Burnley legend.Tough taclking Scot who gave his all for Burnley

frank sinclair
absulut fabulus

Robbie blake
an artist

John Connolly, Rossendale
Leighton James Trevor Steven Jimmy McIlroy Robbie Blake Glen Little John Connelly Peter Noble

andy gray
he is class and skills crig bellamy

John Walmsley
Clearly Jimmy Adamson was the best thinking man's player. He later proved it by managing the club very well under very difficult circumstances.

Martin Bacup
Martin Dobson top pro

CRAIG - BARROWFORD
BILLY HAMILTON:HOW FOOTBALL SHOULD BE PLAYED 1 FANTASTIC

Malcolm Graham, Torrevieja, Spain.
The greatest guys must have been the 1947 Cup Finalist consisting of Strong, Woodruff, Mather,Attwell, Brown, Bray, Chew, Morris,Billingham, Potts and Kippax. Harrison & Heyes were also involved. However, can anyone remember their Christian names? I can!

Paul West
Steve Davis Absolute rock in central defence and chipped in with vital goals from set pieces. Composure on the ball, good distribution and a superb tackler. What more can you say?

Peter - Doncaster
Dave Thomas for me. I first saw him play in the winning FA Youth team along with Mick Docherty, Steve Kindon et al. When I moved to London, and I wasn't watching the clarets in the capital, I used to go and see him play at QPR. A champagne and silk player.

winston kay notts (burnley born and bred)
paul fletcher, best header of the ball ive seen at turf moor. anyway all the players mentioned below were the best, in there own way.

Stan Woolley
Brian O'Neill we very rarely got beaten with him in the team Also Ray Pointer, Dave Thomas, the list goes on &on & on. Great team in the sixties had the ability to do so much more.

Frank Casper
A wonderfully skilled player pity he wasnt fully fit for the 73 FA cup semi

Paul
Martin Dobson,he give everything for the club

Dave
Jimmy Mcilroy,(by far) you must have done somethind right to have a stand named after you! Burnley legend!

Anthony Walker
Gifton Noel Williams hes fantastic

allan stephenson
allan stephenson i saved us in most games,class keeper in an average team.

Barrie Oliver
jimmy mac has got to be the best . but who can forget Paul Fletchers goal at leeds

An unlikely visitor
Simon Townley plays for the under 19's

Dave Smith
I agree that Mr J McIlroy was probably burnleys all time greatest player but can i just remind you all about Jimmy Thompson who was transfered by Mr Potts from chelsea and became one of burnleys top players.Also can i take this time to write even though it has no relevance to B.F.C but Mr McIlroy knowing you read this site can i just apologise for waking you up very early one morning as i used to be your paper boy,Thanks and good wishes Mr Smithx

Tom, Canada
Jimmy McIlroy, great when I was a kid, and still the greatest.

Derek Stackhouse
I started watching Burnley in the 40's and have seen some great players but my vote would be for Mr.reliable,Jimmy Strong, a great goalkeeper who still holds the record of over 200 consecutive appearances.His positional sense was uncanny and he was a true role model, Just hope someone out there remembers him!

Marianna, Sabden
Andy Payton, best finisher I have ever seen. Took nearly every chance he had.

john taylor
martin dobson a class act in defence midfield and as a strker. two great stretches at turf moor. Wondxerful to watch.

Stewart from Lincolnshire
After 40 years of hope, dispair and occasional joy, my nomination goes to Jimmy Adamson, an inspirational Captain as well as a good player. He also as manager created the team of the early 70's so I was so proud of then and still wistfully remember today.Football should be about entertainment and that team best represented that fact.

Shaun
David Eyres! what a left foot, and he just keeps on playing...

Paul Atkinson
Simple BILLY HAMILTON, top striker and a true gent to boot!

shaun smith
burnley's ever gratest player were andy payten because he scored loads of goals for burnley

Cheese
Andy Payton, top class goalscorer!

Chris,Philadelphia.USA
I never watched the great players of the sixties but for sheer power and focus it has to be "THE TANK" Steve Kingdon.

BRIAN FLYNN
CAPPED OVER 60 TIMES WITH WALES HE WAS A WELL RESPECTED POCKET DYNAMO

heidi pike
alfred almond (dirty alf) he is my grandad and i was just told he used to play for Burnley. do you have any ideas how I can get info???

john wood
Ralph Coates, one of the most direct players of his generation, saw him open the scoring in the 3rd round replay against Chelsea at Turf Moor in 1970, sadly we lost but what a game he had, great player.

Geoff Ratcliffe ,.Bolton
Frank Casper-gifted and great.Leighton James-always a thrill to watch.Martin Dobson leader by example

Whits
Marco Gentile was king

Bob
Frank Casper - He really was "Super Frank"

john,from shropshire
McIlroy. Who else? with Trevor Steven second, and according to my dad who saw them all, The half back line of Halley(??), Boyle and Watson

stephen gough
i think the best ever burnley player so far is andy payton

D H SPENCE; WARRINGTON
JIMMY McILROY WITHOUT A DOUBT. A PLAYER WITH GREAT VISION WHO HAD A NATURAL ABILITY TO CONTROL A MATCH.

kev goss
martin dobson elegant cool and classy

Ray Pointer
Never say die and would put his head on the line for the clarets every time. Just watch the video of the Sheffield United quater-final. Many players would have ducked from Elder's wayward shot, Pointer not only put his head there he directed it into the net. Never stopped running or scoring, I've seen none better in over 40 years for effort and team spirit. he even won us the Vintage Final at Wembley when the team itself went so close against Wolves in the Freight Rover Final. Thanks for those memories Ray they will last forever.

bob, skipton
graham branch pure class

Andi
Steve'o', Stevie Davis....

Ann Royle
Definitely the one and only Jimmy McIlroy

JAMIE
JIMMY MCILROY MY DAD SAID SO AND HE'S A LEGEND OR RICHARD CHAPLOW CLASS PLAYER

Leighton James
he could fall for england and he knew how to keep a ball by the corner flag when we were winning and only a short time to go

Diarmuid (Tuckton)
Wade Elliot,,,,,,,,,,,,,sheer class

MOTTY BURNLEY
DAVID EYRES, GREATEST LEFT FOOTED PLAYER EVER!

knightsy
andy payton what a goalscorer, my all time hero in the claret and blue!

Daniel Moorhouse,Burnley
Andy Payton wud be the best player of all time his skill his work has inspired the team

Phil, Canada
Andy Lochead,never stopped running and what a header of the ball. How much would he be worth today ?

Graham, Northumberland
A Clarets fan for over 30 years, my hero was Brian O'Neil. An absolute dynamo on the field and a gentleman off the field. I had the pleasure of meeting him in the North East a few years ago!

Robin Dewar
Jimmy Mac was the best , but that 61/62 team was full of great players, sadly none of the current bunch come close.

Brian O'Neil
He was amazing! No one matched him in the mid field. Jenny, Southampton

Jeff Palk; Safety Beach, Australia
I've seen many great players for Burnley since 1959 when my Dad took me to my first game, I enjoyed Brian O'Neil slide tackle George Best and take him ten metres through the builders opening for the Bob Lord stand, Leighton James a wizard but not keen on running into space for the ball, Steve James who didn't know when to stop running but was able to cross the ball just before he hit the end wall, Ralph Coates often referred to as Ralph Coatees after his first touch in International football was to attempt to head the ball to keep it in play against Mexico "I think" he kept in play an they nearly scored from the attempt. But my greatest memories was of Willie Morgan (Burnley's best) who was the equal of Best and as an accolade was transferred to Man Utd to work opposite the great man. At that time Burnley would have had a team of international players if we hadn't sold them to keep the clubs head above water. Marvellous times, still keep in touch even though I'm miles away in Oz. Up the clarets , Come on the Lads.

Phil ( Oswaldtwistle )
Hard to better McIlroy but don't forget the dazzling skills of Doug Collins and the solidness of Adam Blacklaw's goalkeeping

Eddie Banks
For me, the most versatile player,(with the emphasis on versatile) ever to put on a Claret shirt, just has to be Ian Towers. Played in every forward position for Burnley throughout his career and on one occasion (at Goodison Park) in the early 60's when Harry Thompson went off injured, even went in goal. Gave a 100% effort in every match. The great Harry Potts' biggest mistake was to omit him from the 1962 cup final. I've always felt that the outcome would have been different had Ian played that day.

Jonathan Sutcliffe
Jimmy Macilroy - I never saw him, but anyone who did never has any doubt as to who was the greatest.

james
ah john the huge preston fan from NEWCASTLE!!. I think johnny, if you look back into your little trophy room you will find that not only do we have a little more silver wear but we have and still are breaking records. PNE your just there to make up the numbers. but thanks for your intelligent answer. ta ta.

geofholmes
Leighton James clever,quick and a sledgehammer left peg to boot.

Bob a Colne Claret
Its has to to be Ralph Coates he lived upto his nickname 'The General'and we have never had another player like him since, he gave his all every game and truly has Claret & Blue blood

BEZA - BACUP
FRANK CASPER -A JOY TO WATCH

Billy Hamilton
One reason is because my newphew is named after him. Williams Hamilton Holmes

matthew
my best player of all time is Jimmy Mcilroy

Callum
Andy Payton, natural born claret

David Eyres
As only watching Burnley from the early 1990's, it would be wrong of me to nominate the likes of James, Casper, Adamson. Eyres was class - a true professional! He always gave his all, was tricky, helped out at the back, was fantastic going forward and he bagged a few cracking goals too! Nathan, Rossendale.

Dick Bentham [ Sarawak Borneo]
My Mate Frank Porter & I always used to say thet Jimmy Adamson was "THE MAN". The uunsung hero of the 50's & 60's glory years. Hello Frank, it's been a long time !!

Stuart, Reading
Frank Casper - he could turn on a sixpence.

Jimmy McIlroy
I can only comment from 1960 on, but he wins it by a mile, from the likes of Jimmy Adamson,Martin Dobson, Brian O,Neil, David Thomas & Laighton James.

Peter Wilkinson
In my time it has to be Ralph Coates we were simply a one man team when he was at his peak. Others? Martin Dobson, Trevor Steven and of course Taffy.

il bacup
ray pointer - cos i've got his autograph !

MICHAEL BURNS
Steve Davis he stood great at the back and could teach Sinclair and Mcgreal some things

michael
ted because he his good and fast

Tim - Melton
Bryan Flynn - a Pocket Dynamo

andy
PETER NOBLE THE UNSUNG HERO

Ron Wood
Jimmy McIlroy - Just so quick off the mark & skillful.A pleasure to watch him glide past opponents from the corner flag.Made mediocre players look so much better.These comments have come all the way from Australia.

Russell, Sunderland
I remember as a teenager, or younger, a former Burnley player from the 60s telling me he had just watched the best young prospect he had ever seen.That was at Turf Moor, and the player was TREVOR STEVEN. Check out his winners medals since his Burnley debut days….there won't be many longer or more varied.

Phil, Accrington
I think Jimmy McIlroy was the greatest player at turf moor because he was quick and skillful.

Philip, Colne
Brian O'Neil ....... never ever gave less than 100% and never knew when he was beaten ,never got/gets the credit he deserves ,but them days we did have a lot of good players.

Cliff, Runcorn
The greatest influence on the Clarets progress in the 61 years I have been watching my team must be Alan Brown. Not only was he a great Club captain that led us to promotion and Wembley in 1946/47, but as Manager, he was the one with the vision to create the youth development programme, building, along with Bob Lord the Gawthorpe complex. That was the beginning of the Glory Years and was the precedent that others followed. The demise of our team was when the 'BROWN' factor was allowed to diminish.

Frank, Burnley
jimmy adamson [rubberlegs]. Read the game better than anybody else in the game, a super halfback and captain.

Nick, Nelson
Ian Moore because he is very deceptive. He poses as an attacking footballer, but lacks skill and can't score goals. A good bluffer.

John Turner
Jimmy McIlroy was the best I saw, he had an uncanny knack of predicting what was ahead in a game.

Graham Halifax
Possibly Leighton James, but Terry Cochrane would run him close. I'm always influenced by wingers. My first match was Burnley's last in the top division so can't comment on McIlroy, etc.

Andrew, Stacksteads
Steve Davis, wore the claret and blue shirt with pride, a class act!

Rob, Surrey
Without doubt Willie Irvine. Brilliant, electric fast striker who had a 6th sense to locate the goal. If he had not broken his leg would have broken all goal scoring records for the Club. Charismatic personality as well.

Martin Ruane
Jimmy McIlroy without a doubt the greatest player ever to grace Turf Moor.

Nicolas Evans, Heywood
I think it was Brian O'Neil because he was a very good player when I was a Burnley fan. I support Bury FC now (come on you shakers).

Jackie Spendel, Switzerland
Without a doubt - Jimmy McIlroy. His skill won many a game and he was always a joy to watch.

Sue Moore, Camberley
Martin Dobson So good in defence & attack.

Brad, Bacup
Andy Payton He would teach Akinbiyi a thing or two!

Sam, Burnley
Jimmy McIlroy Legend!

Chris Evans, Heywood
me! I use 2 play 4 them 12 years ago if any 1 remembers?

Andy, Cumbria
The best player was Leighton James in my opinion.

Mark, Northwich
Martin Dobson is my choice Burnley’s own Beckenbauer, I didn’t have the pleasure to witness the great Jimmy McIlroy.

Frostie, wigan
Connelly he could run past any 1 who was in his way

Darell, Nelson
Dave Thomas - my wife was in the same night school class as him.

Alan, Lancaster
For me it has to be a Claret of the 70's... Frank Casper. A fantastic goal scorer, I remember his goal against PNE at Deepdale, chipped Kelly from the edge of the box.. pure class!! BFC 3 PNE 1. Cheers Frank...

Hugh, Winchester
I would like to mention 2 great combinations. Adamson and McIlroy were the best closely followed by Dobson, Collins and Nulty.

Gilly, Todmorden
David Eyres - best left foot in the country at the time and scored goals for fun. Single handedly won the play-off final for us in 94!

Phil, Melbourne
Difficult question. Going back to those glory years we had the likes of Mcilroy, Pointer,Pilkington & Connelly. Lets not forget a young fullback called Alex Elder Truely, he could play with the best of them.They were a great team.

Alex, Heywood
andy payton because he scored nearly a hundred goals for a team that wasn't actually that good!

Graham
Ralph Coates My first hero. I was heartbroken when he left.

Richard, Preston
Marshall Burke, Uncompromising midfield player who would grace any premiership side now.

C Mason, Southport
Jimmy McIlroy

Paul, Sabden
Definitely agree with Russell, Sunderland. watching Burnley for 30 yrs +. Trevor Steven probably the only world class player. Once described as England most undercapped player.

spike-preston
martin dobson was the best ever claret.sheer class a great leader and we won two championships with him as captain

Ian, St Annes
The welsh wizard for me, running a close second Trevor Steven.