Jimmy McIlroy receives MBE at Turf Moor - Burnley FC plea

JIMMY McIlroy, Burnley’s greatest ever player, will receive his MBE not at Buckingham Palace as is the custom, but at the place where he is always treated like royalty – Turf Moor.

By The Newsroom

Published 5th Aug 2011, 16:13 BST

In a gesture typical of the modest magician from Northern Ireland, Jimmy Mac declined the chance to receive the great honour in London, instead choosing to receive it at his spiritual home – fittingly enough before the start of the Clarets’ first game of the new season tomorrow.

Lord Shuttleworth, the Lord-Lieutenant of Lancashire, will step in for the Queen to perform the investiture in front of thousands of Jimmy’s fans 15 minutes before kick-off in the match against Watford.

The Clarets legend was awarded the honour for services to football and charity in the Queen’s New Year’s Honours list in January.

He has achieved legendary status at Turf Moor following his spell with the club between 1950-1963.

Jimmy will be presented with his MBE at 2-45 p.m. before the match.

The club is urging supporters to take their seats early to honour the great man.