Burnley goalscoring legend Irvine dies aged 82

Former Burnley and Northern Ireland striker Willie Irvine has died aged 82 following a long illness.

Irvine was the joint top scorer in English football's top-flight in the 1965-66 season, with 29 league goals - alongside Liverpool's Roger Hunt - as Burnley finished third.

He scored a further eight cup goals and his 37 goals in a season remains a club record he shares with Jimmy Robson.

He had come through the youth system at Turf Moor and scored just 20 minutes into his debut in a 3-2 win at Arsenal in the penultimate game of the 1962-63 season.

The then-teenager kept his place for the final game at home to Birmingham - and scored a hat-trick in a 3-1 win.

In all, he scored 97 times for the club in just 148 games, establishing himself as one of the most prolific strikers of the period.

Irvine also scored eight times for his country as he won 23 caps - and it would surely have been more had his career not been hit by injury.

Following a broken leg at the age of 23 which affected his form, Irvine moved to Preston North End, where he continued to find the back of the net with regularity despite more injury problems.

A move to Brighton followed and he helped the then-third tier side to promotion before a short spell with Halifax Town. He was forced to retire aged 29.

Irvine remained living in Burnley after football and in more recent years had worked at Turf Moor, entertaining corporate guests and giving stadium tours.

"Burnley Football Club are deeply saddened to hear of the passing of former Burnley and Northern Ireland International, Willie Irvine," the Premier League club said.

Preston said their club was "saddened to learn of the passing of our former player Willie Irvine, who made 81 appearances for North End between 1968 and 1971.

"Our thoughts are with Willie's friends and family at this difficult time."