World Cup-winning Burnley legend John Connelly passes away
11:34am Thursday 25th October 2012 in Sport
John Connelly with his England cap
ENGLAND World Cup medal winner and Clarets hero John Connelly died yesterday.
John, 74, played 265 games for the Clarets, scoring 104 goals and starred as Burnley clinched the Championship title in 1960.
He had been battling bone cancer and died peacefully yesterday morning at his home in Barrowford.
He is survived by wife Sandra and his two daughters and a son.
Tributes have poured in from former teammates and supporters in memory of one of the club's favourite sons.
Jimmy Mcllroy said John was 'good enough to play for any team in the world.'
He said: “It’s a terrible shock. John was such a lovely fellow, always ready with a joke, an extremely popular and humble man.
“In that special Burnley team we worked together because we were both wingers and he was on the opposite flank.
“It was a privilege to play alongside him, I watched him closely and he was as talented as it got. I used to tell him he was good enough to play for any team in the world.”
John was also a member of England's 1966 squad for which he was belatedly given a winners’ medal in 2007.
He went on to play for Manchester United, Blackburn Rovers and Bury and won 20 caps for England, including the opening game against Uruguay in the successful World Cup campaign.
But he was denied the chance to play in the final by England boss Sir Alf Ramsey who dropped him from the squad when he adopted the ‘Wingless Wonders’ system.
After his retirement from the game, he continued to live in the area and ran Connelly’s Plaice, a fish and chip shop in Brierfield for many years.
BBC radio and TV presenter and former Lancashire Telegraph reporter Tony Livesey, who grew up in the Briefield area, said: "Only in Burnley could such a footballing legend run a chippy.
“He was a lovely man and for us Clarets-mad boys the chip shop became a place of pilgrimage.”
John arrived at Turf Moor from hometown club St Helens Town in November, 1956.
He had to wait for his first-team chance but by the 1958/59 season had become a regular under Harry Potts.
The following season he played a key role in the Clarets’ Championship triumph, scoring 20 times in tandem with Ray Pointer and Jimmy Robson, who produced a combined goal tally of 85.
Mr Robson said: “We both married Burnley girls and went on family holidays together and out on a Saturday night on a regular basis.
“He was a popular man in the area, first of all for being a footballer but also his fish and chip business.
“He was a member of Nelson Golf Club and was also a JP.
“He was delighted to get his World Cup medal. He should have had it in any case because he played in the first game.
“John was a good footballer. A bit of a full back’s nightmare because he could go inside or outside and he was quick and had two good feet.”
Peter Pike, from the Clarets Supporters’ Trust, said: “John played in a different football era and in today’s football world he would have been a multi-million pound player.
“Having met him very many times over the years I could always regard him as a friend and while he had been a great player he always remained a genuinely modest and nice man.”
Former team mate Andy Lochhead said: “He was a quality player. He had a lot of ability and a lot of skill.
“As a wide man he provided good crosses into the box.
“He was a terrific fellow - a very sociable chap and a good mixer.”
Former Prime Minister’s spokesman Alistair Campbell said his love of the Clarets had been formed a young boy 'watching legends like John Connelly'.
He added: “I got to know him later at club a events and he was a lovely, warm gentleman who was a down to earth as they come.
“It was always a real treat to visit his chip shop after a game too.”
After leaving Burnley in the summer of 1964 and with George Best on the opposite wing, Connelly helped Matt Busby’s Manchester Utd side win the title in 1965 as he added another title medal to his collection.
Following the 1966 triumph, John moved to Ewood Park and gave four years of service to Rovers before ending his career with a three-year spell at Bury.
A spokesman from Burnley FC said: “Burnley Football Club is saddened to hear of the death of club great John Connelly at the age of 74.
"The flag at Turf Moor will fly at half mast as a mark of respect to one of the Clarets’ favourite sons and Burnley's players will wear black arm bands in their Championship game at Cardiff City on Saturday.”
Comments(45)
mellorb&w
says...
11:52am Thu 25 Oct 12
Kermit The Frog
says...
11:53am Thu 25 Oct 12
I also read George Best's autobiography and he also spoke highly of his ability and stated that with Connelly on one wing and Best on the other it gave United great balance.
RIP
Chrissaces
says...
11:56am Thu 25 Oct 12
mellorb&w wrote:He did play and score goals for Blackburn too :) R.I.P to a legend of the game, and a prolific goal scorer for Burnley!
Sad news indeed. RIP to a true gentleman of the game. I also am a Rovers supporter but would wish to express my condolences.
French Rover
says...
12:00pm Thu 25 Oct 12
Pompey Claret
says...
12:03pm Thu 25 Oct 12
1952 rover wrote:Rover,
Very sad news lets put's put aside all he rivelry at this sad tme. RIP. FROM ALL TRUE ROVERS FAN;S
Many thanks for your kind comment and much appreciated by all true football supporters.
Such a sad loss, a great player of his era.
RIP John Connelly and heart felt condolences to his family.
Great to see Rovers supporters passing comment no matter who he played for a "Legend" .
mellorb&w
says...
12:08pm Thu 25 Oct 12
Chrissaces wrote:Yes I know but I think it's fair to say he was more associated with Burnley than Rovers. Either way one of the legends of the game who spanned the great East Lancs divide.
mellorb&w wrote:He did play and score goals for Blackburn too :) R.I.P to a legend of the game, and a prolific goal scorer for Burnley!
Sad news indeed. RIP to a true gentleman of the game. I also am a Rovers supporter but would wish to express my condolences.
tiojo
says...
12:10pm Thu 25 Oct 12
jinkyjase
says...
12:11pm Thu 25 Oct 12
RIP Mr Connelly
Captain Dreckley
says...
12:11pm Thu 25 Oct 12
RIP
Chrissaces
says...
12:16pm Thu 25 Oct 12
mellorb&w wrote:That much is true, 105 goals in 265 games for Burnley, including a league title! Never knew he had a chippy round here or I would have definitely driven over from Blackburn for a cod and chips!
Chrissaces wrote:Yes I know but I think it's fair to say he was more associated with Burnley than Rovers. Either way one of the legends of the game who spanned the great East Lancs divide.
mellorb&w wrote:He did play and score goals for Blackburn too :) R.I.P to a legend of the game, and a prolific goal scorer for Burnley!
Sad news indeed. RIP to a true gentleman of the game. I also am a Rovers supporter but would wish to express my condolences.
1952 rover
says...
12:22pm Thu 25 Oct 12
Ronaldpetercooper
says...
12:33pm Thu 25 Oct 12
I was priveledged to have played against John shortly after he retired and we hammered each other for 90 minutes and had a drink in the bar afterwards.
He will be a big loss to his family and all who knew him. My sincerest sympathy to all his family.
northsouthdivide
says...
12:44pm Thu 25 Oct 12
Accrington Stanley Fan ....
no ney never
says...
12:53pm Thu 25 Oct 12
While your up there watching over your beloved, see if you can do something about spiriting us a manager to take us forward. I am sure where ever you are, you'll be met with the same respect as we have for you here.
Terry's of Burnley
noddymcleod
says...
12:59pm Thu 25 Oct 12
I grew up in that happy period when we used to go to Rovers one weekend and Burnley the next. As a Rovers fan I always thought the Burnley of Pointer, Jimmy Mac and Adamson played the more classy football, but Rovers with Clayton, Dobing had more grit.
He'd gone off the boil when he came to the Rovers when we were in the old second, but he certainly knew where the goal was. He was that rare winger who had a knack of popping up the middle of the penalty area to snatch a goal.
Gent on and off the field, no sulks, tamtrums, good good solid Lancs virtues.
stick to football
says...
1:00pm Thu 25 Oct 12
A Darener
says...
1:02pm Thu 25 Oct 12
RIP John Connelly one of the old school footballers.
mellorb&w
says...
1:11pm Thu 25 Oct 12
A Darener wrote:I'd like to think so. A minutes applause would be better as it doesn't give some idiot the opportunity to shame the rest of us.
Hope the Rovers fans can show their respect Saturday. Minutes silence or clapping.
RIP John Connelly one of the old school footballers.
burnleyglentoran
says...
1:49pm Thu 25 Oct 12
Spirit of '64
says...
2:03pm Thu 25 Oct 12
spike t
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2:15pm Thu 25 Oct 12
RIP John
1riversider
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2:35pm Thu 25 Oct 12
ford10
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2:36pm Thu 25 Oct 12
ford10
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2:37pm Thu 25 Oct 12
mellorb&w wrote:he was much a fav down at Ewood too am sure this guy will get the respect he deserves
A Darener wrote:I'd like to think so. A minutes applause would be better as it doesn't give some idiot the opportunity to shame the rest of us.
Hope the Rovers fans can show their respect Saturday. Minutes silence or clapping.
RIP John Connelly one of the old school footballers.
bobinspain
says...
3:12pm Thu 25 Oct 12
A class act.
A sad day.
Mike Ferguson
says...
3:17pm Thu 25 Oct 12
Mike Ferguson
RUinsane
says...
3:30pm Thu 25 Oct 12
oggy 56
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3:36pm Thu 25 Oct 12
carrman2
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3:47pm Thu 25 Oct 12
bring back the good old days
says...
4:11pm Thu 25 Oct 12
He was one of the classic decent footballers of a now bygone age.
RIP
1952 rover
says...
4:26pm Thu 25 Oct 12
carrman2 wrote:Carman. You forgot to mention he played for the Rovers as well. Why?
A sad Loss to Burnley , A great winger for Burnley , Manchester United and England, ex bank hall Worker and made some of the best Fish n Chips in Pendle, They travelled miles to get em,
petemcglinn
says...
4:50pm Thu 25 Oct 12
1952 rover wrote:Very sad news indeed. R.I.P. and god bless, sincere condolances to family and freinds.
Very sad news lets put's put aside all he rivelry at this sad tme. RIP. FROM ALL TRUE ROVERS FAN;S
Mr connelly will get the respect he deserves on saturday .
mellorb&w
says...
4:56pm Thu 25 Oct 12
ford10 wrote:Let's hope so.
mellorb&w wrote:he was much a fav down at Ewood too am sure this guy will get the respect he deserves
A Darener wrote:I'd like to think so. A minutes applause would be better as it doesn't give some idiot the opportunity to shame the rest of us.
Hope the Rovers fans can show their respect Saturday. Minutes silence or clapping.
RIP John Connelly one of the old school footballers.
Leylandloyal
says...
4:57pm Thu 25 Oct 12
Arthur Labore
says...
5:14pm Thu 25 Oct 12
Also he had a good chippie in Brierfield,
A rare Burnley and Rovers legend!
hugofakenham
says...
6:10pm Thu 25 Oct 12
Condolences to his wife and daughters.
Venkys HaHa
says...
7:26pm Thu 25 Oct 12
whittaker0
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7:32pm Thu 25 Oct 12
dingledo
says...
9:03pm Thu 25 Oct 12
1952 rover wrote:Well said!
Very sad news lets put's put aside all he rivelry at this sad tme. RIP. FROM ALL TRUE ROVERS FAN;S
greenscreener
says...
11:42pm Thu 25 Oct 12
whittaker0 wrote:I was just too young to remember John as a player, he left Blackburn a couple of years before I started going down there, but he's always been talked of with great respect by the old 'uns.
John Connelly and Adam Blacklaw are two international players who have played for both Burnley and Blackburn in the same decade. John started off with Burnley, played his best football with Manchester United and then joined Blackburn was an excellent and attacking forward and was recognised as being so by being in the England Squad for the 1966 World Cup. I would like to send my warmest condolences to his family.
A minutes applause on Saturday would be appreciated to remind us of real men like John who played and enjoyed the game in a different era.
p.s don't forget Keith Newton in your list of Blackburn/Burnley internationals, another local hero.
globetrot
says...
1:40am Fri 26 Oct 12
Didnt know you from your footballing days but knew you from your chippy and Barrowford Celtic days. All round decent bloke.
Condolences to your family.
From another Rovers supporter.
kiwipom73
says...
5:41am Fri 26 Oct 12
Back in the 60,s it was NOT an issue to go and appreciate good football at both venues.
There was respect shown towards both football clubs/fans...now you get this minority element of "spot the brain cell" characters from both sides who,s behaviour is unbelievably sick & sad.
We are all "Northerners" and mostly Lancashire people....you would think it was the Saxons v Normans.
Of course, they need to get a life and learn respect...even the general behaviour of Dogs is far superior.
J.C...a true gentleman a Football that we Northerners should ALL be proud of and try follow his example.
i.s.
says...
10:56am Fri 26 Oct 12
greenscreener
says...
12:40pm Fri 26 Oct 12
kiwipom73 wrote:Well said. Football crowds prior to the seventies were un-segregated and essentially self regulating. If you stepped too far out of line you were sorted out by those around you. I guess respect went out the window with the cane !
Saw John Connelly at Turf Moor & Ewood Pk.
Back in the 60,s it was NOT an issue to go and appreciate good football at both venues.
There was respect shown towards both football clubs/fans...now you get this minority element of "spot the brain cell" characters from both sides who,s behaviour is unbelievably sick & sad.
We are all "Northerners" and mostly Lancashire people....you would think it was the Saxons v Normans.
Of course, they need to get a life and learn respect...even the general behaviour of Dogs is far superior.
J.C...a true gentleman a Football that we Northerners should ALL be proud of and try follow his example.
1952 rover says...
11:46am Thu 25 Oct 12