Considered by many to be the best player the Clarets have ever had, the inside forward was a key member of the team that won the First Division in 1960 and advanced to the quarterfinals of the European Cup the following year.
Over his 13 years at Turf Moor, McIlroy made 497 appearances for the team and scored 131 goals.
“The club is deeply saddened to learn of the passing of our greatest ever player,” a Burnley statement said. A giant of a man. Everyone associated with the club is thinking of him and his family during this difficult time. Peace be with you, Jimmy.
After moving to Burnley from Glentoran in 1950, McIlroy established himself as a key member of the team, which from 1956 to 1963 never placed lower than seven.
He concluded his playing career at Oldham before having brief stints as manager of the Latics and Bolton, much to the dismay of the club’s supporters when he left to join Stoke in 1963.
Additionally, McIlroy earned 55 caps for Northern Ireland, which he assisted in getting to the 1958 World Cup finals.
