One of Northern Ireland’s legendary players from the 1958 World Cup team, Jimmy McIlroy MBE, has passed away at the age of 86.

Jimmy was born in Lambeg, County Antrim, and scored 10 goals in 55 games for his nation. The renowned forward made his debut for Northern Ireland in 1951 and played a significant role in the team that advanced to the World Cup quarterfinals in Sweden in 1958. His international career lasted 15 years.

Jimmy was a legend at Burnley, a Lancashire team, when he won the 1960 First Division championship. In 439 games for the Clarets, he scored 116 goals. At Burnley’s Turf Moor stadium, there is a stand that bears his name. “Everyone at the association and in the Northern Ireland football family is saddened to hear of Jimmy McIlroy’s death,” stated Irish FA President David Martin today.In addition to being one of the heroes of Northern Ireland’s illustrious 1958 World Cup team, he was among the best players to ever come from our nation. Jimmy will be sorely missed; he was also a true gentleman.

“We would like to offer his family our deepest sympathies during this difficult time.” Before relocating to Burnley in March 1950, the gifted attacker started his career with Glentoran in 1949. He was dubbed the Brain of Burnley because of his skill and deft movement, which won him a lot of admirers. After more than ten years as Burnley’s best player, Jimmy moved from Turf Moor to Stoke City in 1962, where he made 98 appearances and scored 16 goals. He scored one goal in 39 appearances while serving as player-manager at Oldham Athletic, where he concluded his career.

In January 1966, he was appointed player-boss of Oldham, a position he held until the 1968–69 season began. After that, he briefly served as assistant manager and coach at Stoke and Bolton Wanderers before taking over as manager of Bolton for eighteen days. The Bolton board ordered him to sell players, so he resigned on principle. “Jimmy was one of the greatest players to have worn the green shirt of Northern Ireland,” stated Michael O’Neill, the manager of Northern Ireland, today.In addition to being an exceptionally gifted football player who excelled at the highest levels of the sport, he was also a wonderful guy who made an impression on everyone he met with his friendliness, humility, and love of the game. “What Jimmy accomplished on the field for Northern Ireland will always be remembered, even though he will be sorely missed.”

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