The life and career of Burnley legend John Connelly
John Connelly, a football player from a different generation, was loved everywhere he went. He passed away yesterday at the age of 74. Examining his life and career, Matt Donlan.
It felt like the most bizarre coincidence that a “on this day” item emerged online yesterday morning as the heartbreaking news of John Connelly’s passing started to spread.
It stated that England defeated Portugal 2-0 at Wembley on October 25, 1961, thanks to goals from Burnley’s Ray Pointer and John Connelly.
As fans of a certain generation wiped away a tear of sadness, the fact that 51 years ago two Clarets scored the goals for the national team – in a match featuring legends on either side in the shape of Bobby Charlton and Eusebio – would be lost on followers of the game where the modern ‘heroes’ court as much front page news as they do back page headlines.
Back then the players finished the game, hit the bath and then went out on the town with their fans a couple of hours later.
It was football of, and for, a different generation – and John Connelly was a player from a different generation.
He was a joiner turned footballer turned Brierfield fish and chip shop owner who never forgot where he came from, and never forgot those who were there with him as he rose to glory.
All of John’s clubs had admirers for him because of his football career. He was a brilliant winger who played for Burnley, Manchester United, Blackburn Rovers and Bury. Off the pitch, he made friends for life and attracted a whole new following of fish and chips lovers after his career ended.
The cuisine at Connelly’s Plaice is as delicious as the conversation, making it a must-visit chippy.
As fish and chips fried, John would stand behind his counter and chew the fat with football fans.
You knew he had been there, and you couldn’t help but notice the enormous 1962 artwork. He would seldom ever discuss the benefits of the modern wage or his football career.
The eagle eyed could spot in the picture that the man flying down the wing bedecked in claret and blue was the very same as was chatting away in his ‘chippy uniform’ of white coat and hat.
Over the years a few outsiders were open-mouthed when the realisation hit.
Connelly’s mesmerising skill as a player won him the admiration of none other than George Best, who was fulsome in his book. With the Clarets, this man won the League and finished second in the FA Cup. Along with winning the league with Manchester United, he played for England in two World Cups, the first in 1962 and the second in 1996.
He was a teammate of Best at Old Trafford when football’s superstar culture first emerged.
Sandra, John’s wife, made an appearance on a television show concerning the WAGS of 66 a few years ago. You had the impression that such a title was uncomfortable.
Burnley had sent scouts to watch another player but were so impressed with Connelly that they took him to Turf Moor and had him on a contract in days.
Aware of the fickle nature of football fate, his father insisted he kept up his work as a joiner and took a job at Bank Hall pit just in case football never worked out.
Because of that, John was viewed as ‘one of our own’ by the Longside. The fans adored him. The football world adored him.
Yet for all of his playing glory, outside this footballing hotbed of East Lancashire, many people connect his name with Alf Ramsay’s ‘wingless wonders’ of the 1966 World Cup.
John, by then a Manchester United player, took to the field in the first game of the tournament against Uruguay. But the South Americans showed no interest in attack and England couldn’t break through and the match finished 0-0.
Ramsay made changes to his team and John was left out and the rest, as they, is history.
He never pulled on the Three Lions shirt again. In later years he admitted to being ‘choked’ at his omission but was always fiercely proud at being part of the greatest time in the nation’s football history.
He didn’t get a winner’s medal in 1966 – but after decades of campaigning from fans, John and the rest of the squad members finally received their reward three years ago when it was decided they should finally be honoured.
John grinned at the reward, he was thrilled to bits with his part in that famous triumph at Wembley being rewarded.
The 40-odd year wait for a long overdue prize suddenly seemed worth it for a man regarded as one of the nice guys off the field and lethal on it.
For an outside half, a winger in modern parlance, John’s career goals came at a ratio of better than one in three games – a strike rate that many strikers now or at any time would envy.
John and his family were well-known, having lived in the charming town of Pendleside for many years, and he was always up for a conversation.
As a Justice of the Peace, primarily in Reedley, he also contributed to the community that lavished him with praise throughout the years and kept the judges’ court system running smoothly.
For many years, John would spend a Wednesday night out in the Brierfield and Nelson areas with a few of his old friends.
He once took an England cap out of his pocket and used it to put a pub football bore in his place.
Ever since, when John talked about football, the bore listened instead of talking.
Across the street from Connelly’s Plaice, in the now-gone and much-missed Waggon and Horses pub, the legendary Sunderland footballer and former Burnley star Gary Rowell was being praised by a crowd as he held court in the bar’s corner and told tales of his playing days.
When John entered, Rowell, who was an actual student of the game, advised the spectators to focus on John.
Rowell remarked, “Now he WAS a footballer.” “And his chips are really unique.”
Gary Rowell was right on the money.
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