Since our last edition, we have to report the deaths of two ex-Clarets.
Billy O’Rourke
On 28 January, ex-goalkeeper Billy O’Rourke died unexpectedly at the age of just 41. He had suffered a brain haemorrhage. Billy was a Burnley player in the late 70s and early 80s, and had the unenviable task of trying to dislodge Alan Stevenson from the first team. Stevo was a model of consistency, and Billy found his opportunities extremely limited. When an injury to Stevenson finally handed Billy his debut, in October 1979, it couldn’t have been at a worse time as the Clarets were marooned at the bottom of the old Second Division without a win all season. Burnley lost 7-0 at QPR in front of the Match of the Day cameras and went off in tears. Peter Higgs, then covering the Clarets for the Burnley Express, was furious at the team for not protecting their young debutante, and gave O’Rourke the nod as Burnley man of the match.
Billy went on to play 13 further games for Burnley, before playing for a number of other clubs. Our condolences go to Billy’s family.
Billy O’Rourke (centre) in 1978 with Billy Ingham, Peter Noble, Alan Stevenson and Tony Norman.
George Bray
On 15 February, the death of George Bray was announced. He was 83. The phrase 'great club servant' is an over used one, but if anyone ever deserved it, it was George Bray. He joined Burnley as an 18 year-old from Great Harwood, and from then on maintained a life long relationship with the Clarets.
The conflict deprived George of some of his prime playing years. During the War, he served in Northern Ireland, and turned out for Glentoran during his time in the province. He played for Burnley both sides of the War, and was a regular in the great 1946/47 side that won promotion to the first division and reached the FA Cup Final.
He was a true one club man, and following his retirement in 1952, after playing 259 games, he joined the backroom staff. He was 'A' team trainer, reserve team trainer and first team trainer until he retired in 1974. Even then, it wasn't over, and he later came back as kit manager, before finally retiring in 1992. Our thoughts go out to the Bray family.
George celebrates the 40th anniversary of the 1946-47 Wembley side with team-mate Harry Potts. The year before, George had celebrated 50 years with Burnley as player, trainer, coach and kitman.
