Burnley legend Arthur Bellamy dies

Clarets legend Arthur Bellamy died this morning, aged 71, in Pendleside Hospice.
Clarets legend: Arthur BellamyClarets legend: Arthur Bellamy
Clarets legend: Arthur Bellamy

Born in Blackhill in April 1942, Bellamy joined Burnley as a 17-year-old in June 1959 from his native north east.

There he came to prominence as an inside forward in the Clarets’ youth and reserve teams, before making his first team debut in March 1963, replacing Jimmy Robson and going on to score in a 5-2 win against Manchester City at Maine Road.

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In the first game of the 1963/64 season, he netted a hat-trick against champions Everton at Goodison Park.

He would spend 10 seasons with the first team, although never quite an automatic selection, and made 250 appearances, scoring 29 goals, before joining Chesterfield in the summer of 1972.

After three years at Saltergate, he returned to Turf Moor, for spells as youth and reserve team coach, and assistant manager.

He remained a familiar face at the club, where he worked as head groundsman for many years.