4:10pm Wednesday 18th November 2009
By Alex Willmott
BURNLEY players were joined by former Clarets stars at the unveiling of an international honours board yesterday.
The names of all 60 players who have earned a national cap while playing for Burnley have been set in stone at the entrance of the Bob Lord Stand at Turf Moor.
Martin Dobson, Burnley’s last England international in 1974, cut the ribbon to officially open the board.
Current internationals Graham Alexander, Steven Caldwell and Steven Fletcher (Scotland), Michael Duff and Martin Paterson (Northern Ireland) and Joey Gudjonsson (Iceland) were also present at the unveiling, as well as Burnley legends Willie Irvine and Jimmy McIlroy.
Willie Irvine played for the Clarets from 1962 to 1968 and was capped for Northern Ireland 23 times.
He said: “I came to Burnley when I was 16 and have been involved with the club in some way for 50 years.
“I have received honours before but to see my name next to the other greats on the international honours board is something else.
“This club has a tremendous platform for international players and I think the future is going to be great here at Burnley, especially if we can get some big investments.”
Jimmy McIlroy, who is widely recognised as the greatest ever Burnley player, played for the Clarets from 1950 to 1962 and earned 55 caps for Northern Ireland.
He said: “It makes me feel really good to be a part of the honours board.
“I have been so lucky in my career to play alongside such talent in both the national team and Burnley.
“The honours board will make sure that when we are no longer around, we will still be remembered.”
Manager Owen Coyle also expressed his delight with Burnley’s international tribute.
He said: “We’re steeped in history at this club and long may that continue.
“Burnley fans are well aware of their names, but it’s nice to see it up there on the board.
“It’s a tremendous tribute to the work we do at Burnley Football Club.
“It shows that we are family-orientated and we certainly don’t forget those players that have served us so well in the past.”
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