Those of us involved with the Burnley FC Independent Supporters Association were devastated yesterday with the sad news that former Burnley player Willie Irvine had passed away at the age of 82 after a long battle against illness.

Although most of the steering group were never able to see him play, his goalscoring record speaks for itself from his Burnley debut in 1963 until his final game in 1968 which came just over a year after he’d suffered a serious injury at Goodison Park against Everton in the third round FA Cup replay.

Arriving from Northern Ireland as a youngster, he made his home in Burnley even during his moves to Preston, Brighton and Halifax. He was, for many years, a popular figure in Worsthorne, always wanting to talk football with Burnley, who he continued to support along with his sons, and Northern Ireland at the forefront.

Those Burnley supporters who saw him play will tell you we have never had a better goalscorer, those who met him on the ground tours, which he did for some years alongside his former team mate and friend Andy Lochhead, enthuse about the time spent with him.

There was to be one last honour for Willie from the supporters and that came at the end of the 2015/16 season. He was celebrating our promotion but the old Burnley FC Supporters Groups presented him with their special achievement Award on the fiftieth anniversary of his post-war record breaking 29 goals in one season (as per the photograph).

It was the saddest of news yesterday and the thoughts of all of us are now with his wife Rita, their three sons Darren, Stephen and Jonathan, their families and all of their friends.

Rest In Peace Willie.