Leighton James, the former Wales winger who played over 600 Football League games, has died at the age of 71.
James appeared in 54 caps for Wales and played 399 times for Burnley over three spells.
James also represented Swansea City, Sunderland, Bury and Newport County during his 19-year profession before occurring to work for several clubs.
Burnley and Swansea said they were “saddened” by James’ death and would commemorate his death during the weekend’s matches.
Clarets chairman Alan Pace said: “We are sorry to hear the news of Leighton’s death.
“He left an indelible mark on this football club and the stories of his playing ability still echo around Turf Moor.
“Our thoughts are with his family at this sad time.”
Swansea said James is “widely regarded as one of Swans’ best players”.
The Welsh club added that James “was a key figure in the team that secured promotion to the top flight for the first time in their history in 1981, scoring a stunning goal in victory over Preston North End at Deepdale, which completed the club’s development.”
“He then was the star of the following season as John Toshack’s side took on the elite of English football, ultimately finishing sixth in the First Division.”
After retiring, James continued to cover football as a media pundit and was known for expressing solid opinions.
James was born on 16 February 1953 in Loughor, Swansea, and began his skilled profession with Burnley, making his league debut in November 1970 against Nottingham Forest.
After five years, 180 appearances for the Clarets and 45 goals, First Division champions Derby County paid a club record fee of £300,000 to take James to the baseball field.
James moved to Queens Park Rangers before returning to Burnley, but was forced to search for pastures again when the Clarets were relegated to the Third Division.
The move home appealed to him and James joined his local club Swansea City, helping the team gain promotion from the Third Division to the First during a period through which James played his best games as part of a meteoric rise under manager John Toshack.
Swansea jumped from the bottom league to the top league in only three years and achieved breakthrough victories over Liverpool, Manchester United, Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur.
James finished his club profession with spells for Sunderland, Bury and Newport County before returning to Burnley for a 3rd season in 1986 before finally retiring in 1989.
Before Ryan Giggs and Gareth Bale, James was a left-winger who made club and international fans beat faster.
Less than a yr after his Burnley bow, while still a youngster, his first senior appearance for Wales got here in a 1-0 defeat away to Czechoslovakia.
James never played in a serious tournament for Wales, but he played his part in several famous victories.
His penalty kick secured a famous victory over England at Wembley in the British Home Championships, but arguably his best international performance got here when he scored and generally dazzled in Wales’ 4-1 victory over England at Wrexham Stadium in 1980.
James scored 10 goals for Wales, last playing in 1983.
After retiring from football, James went on to administer a number of non-league clubs in England and Wales, the most famous of which was Accrington Stanley in 1997-1998.
In Wales he governed the counties of Llanelli, Aberaman and Haverfordwest.
James also became well-known in Wales after his days on the pitch for some of his outspoken views expressed as a radio pundit and newspaper columnist.
This was most clearly seen in 2006 when James got into an explosive live argument with Robbie Savage over Savage’s decision to retire from international football.
James also worked as a lollipop boy at Penyrheol Primary School in Swansea, but in 2014 he suffered a stroke.
Swansea’s players will wear black armbands once they pay tribute to James in Huddersfield on Saturday, April 20, as will their Under-21 players who face Bristol City on the same day.
Burnley players will do the same in the Premier League at Sheffield United Stadium.
Credit : www.bbc.co.uk
