James McIlroy was a Northern Ireland international footballer, who played for Glentoran, Burnley, Stoke City and Oldham Athletic.
12 Facts About Jimmy McIlroy
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Jimmy McIlroy was regarded as one of Burnley's greatest players, having played 497 matches and scoring 131 goals.
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Jimmy McIlroy was born in Lambeg, County Antrim and he was introduced to football at an early age as his father, Harry played for Lisburn Distillery and his uncle, Willie played for Portadown.
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Jimmy McIlroy soon cemented his reputation as one of the finest scheming inside forwards since World War II.
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Jimmy McIlroy was dubbed as the 'Brain' of Burnley and was a very composed passer of the ball only releasing it when he was sure of finding a teammate.
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Jimmy McIlroy joined Tony Waddington's Stoke who at the time had a collection of experienced veterans with the likes of Stanley Matthews, Dennis Viollet, Jackie Mudie and Don Ratcliffe.
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Jimmy McIlroy signed several former Stoke City team-mates, including Bill Asprey, Alan Philpott, George Kinnell and Keith Bebbington.
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Jimmy McIlroy returned to Stoke City for a short while as assistant to Waddington before moving to Bolton Wanderers as coach and assistant to Nat Lofthouse.
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Jimmy McIlroy had an 18-day spell in charge after Lofthouse's departure but resigned after just two matches on principle after being told by the board to sell players.
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Jimmy McIlroy retired to the Burnley area and was a regular attender of Burnley home matches.
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Jimmy McIlroy was given Freedom of the Borough Burnley in December 2008 and was given a testimonial match by Burnley in 2009.
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Jimmy McIlroy was appointed Member of the Order of the British Empire in the 2011 New Years Honours List for services to football and to charity, and arranged to receive the honour at Burnley's Turf Moor ground rather than at Buckingham Palace.