Jimmy Adamson: The Man Who Said No to England

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I only saw him once or twice a year but I never forgot to tell him that he made my career in football. Playing under Jimmy Adamson was an honour. He made me a better player.

Recruited from youth football in Northumberland, Adamson joined Burnley's groundstaff before signing a first professional contract with the Clarets in 1947, aged 17, although he did not make his senior Clarets debut until 1951. Adamson was the Burnley captain that season and led them all the way to the Holy Grail of the Football League championship. Recruited from youth football in Northumberland, Adamson joined Burnley's groundstaff before signing a first professional contract with the Clarets in 1947, aged 17. However, he did not make his senior debut until 1951. It is a story of the changing relationships between three men: Harry Potts, Bob Lord and Adamson himself, the three of them once the inseparable and on-going heart of the club, but who eventually could not speak to each other.Two years later the Clarets were beaten at Wembley by Tottenham Hotspur in the FA Cup final – but the brilliant Adamson was still honoured as player of the year.

As a Burnley player, Adamson's closest friend and companion was the gifted Northern Ireland inside-right, the ebullient Jimmy McIlroy. They complemented one another perfectly both on and off the field, Adamson's dry humour a foil for McIlroy's exuberance. By all accounts a complex and private man, all who knew him would describe him as a marvellous coach but as a manager not everyone’s favourite person. “Not everyone’s cup of tea,” was the nicest way it was put by one of his most loyal disciples.Jimmy Adamson was a football enigma, revered by some, disliked by others – a supremely elegant player of the ’50s and early ’60s, a title winner and a respected coach, but a manager whose spirit was ultimately shattered.

An elegant right-half of distinction, Adamson was the heartbeat of Burnley teams through the 50s – and in 1959/60 he was an ever present in the greatest side in the club’s history. Despite finishing on the losing side in the 1962 FA Cup Final, Adamson was named footballer of the year and, at the age of 33, was included in England's World Cup squad for the tournament in Chile that summer. In 1976 Adamson left Burnley and the Clarets slid out of the top flight – and he went on to have short spells in charge of Sunderland, Leeds, who he led into the UEFA Cup, and Sparta Rotterdam.

Creative Play

The players who were around at that time got the benefit of his knowledge and were taught to play the right way. The team of brilliant young players roared to sixth place in 1974 and also reached the semi-final of the FA Cup – but that day at Hillsborough ended in tears with a defeat at the hands of Newcastle United.

Burnley football club is sad to confirm the passing of a true club legend in Jimmy Adamson," said a statement on www.burnleyfootballclub.com. "Ashington-born Adamson gave three decades of magnificent service to the Clarets."

Hobbies

In February 1970, when Burnley manager Harry Potts was made general manager, Adamson stepped up to become team manager. Burnley were relegated at the end his first full season in charge, but returned to the top-flight in 1973, winning the Second Division title. [2] Having been coach to title-winning Burnley manager Harry Potts, Adamson took over in the hot seat at Turf Moor.