BURNLEY legend Brian Pilkington has passed away at the age of 86.

The England international winger was a key member of the Clarets side that won the First Division title to become champions of England in 1960.

In total, he made 340 appearances, scoring 77 goals for Burnley.

Pilkington died peacefully in a care home in Adlington on Friday, following a long battle with Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s Disease.

“The thoughts of everyone at Turf Moor are with Brian’s widow, Maureen, son Tim, daughter-in-law Helen and the extended family, including grand-children and great-grandchildren, at this sad time,” a Burnley statement read.

He was called up to represent his country in October 1954, replacing the injured Tom Finney and made his one and only appearance for England, in Belfast against Northern Ireland.

Pilkington also played for England B on several occasions and was selected for several Football League representative teams.

During the famous 1959/1960 season he missed only one game and contributed 11 goals, including the opening goal at Manchester City in the 2-1 win that crowed Burnley as champions.

The following season, he continued to feature for the Clarets, scoring his last two goals for the club in the victory over Hamburg in the European Cup tie at Turf Moor.

After 10 years with the club he joined Bolton in March 1961 before going on to play for Bury, Barrow, Chorley and Leyland Motors, where the Clarets first spotted his talents.

He continued to live in Leyland and became a successful businessman and magistrate, having a stand named in his honour at Lancashire FA headquarters in the town in 2018.