TRIBUTES have been paid to a key member of Burnley's Championship winning side after his death aged 86.

Brian Pilkington's name will remained etched in the memories of Clarets of a certain vintage after he scored the first goal against Manchester City in the title-clinching tie in 1960.

His fellow winger Trevor Meredith, who bagged the second in that 2-1 win, has recalled a happy friendship with Brian which stretched over six decades.

Trevor said: "He was one of the jokers of the team at the time - full of one-liners.

"He was a superb player, fast and direct, and he scored a lot of important goals for Burnley."

The two players both went to live in Leyland after leaving the game and would often meet up in later while walking their dogs in Leyland's Worden Park.

Fellow team-mate Jimmy Robson added: "Brian was a good winger for a start. The manager left him to his own devices and he played the winger's role the way he wanted to play it. He provided a good few goals for me.

"Brian was great around the dressing room as well, he used to play a lot of practical jokes. He always had a smile on his face."

Officials at Chorley FC, where Brian played in the late 60s, and was later life president, said their thoughts were with his family.

A spokesman for Lancashire FA, which named a stand after Brian in Leyland last year, described his contribution to the game as "unique".

Funeral details for Brian, who made 340 Burnley appearances and bagged 77 goals, are expected to be released later.