Willie Irvine

Football player infobox
playername = Willie Irvine


fullname = William John Irvine
nickname =
dateofbirth = Birth date and age|1943|6|18|mf=y
cityofbirth = Carrickfergus
countryofbirth = Northern Ireland
currentclub = Retired
position = Striker
years = 1962-1968
1968-1971
1971-1972
1972-1973
1973-1974
clubs = Burnley
Preston North End
Brighton and Hove Albion
Halifax Town
Great Harwood Town
caps(goals) = 126 (78)
81 (27)
69 (27)
10 (1)
- (-)
youthyears =
youthclubs =
nationalyears =
nationalteam = Northern Ireland
nationalcaps(goals) = 23 (8)
pcupdate = 2006-10-10
ntupdate = 2006-09-03

Willie Irvine (full name William John Irvine, born June 18, 1943) is a former professional football striker. He played for Burnley, Preston North End, Brighton and Hove Albion and Halifax Town and he was also a Northern Ireland international.

The most successful period of his career was without doubt his time at Burnley, making his Clarets debut away at Arsenal in May 1963. By 1964-65 he established a forward partnership with Andy Lochhead, which was along with Spurs', Jimmy Greaves and Alan Gilzean, the most lethal strike force in the country. In the 1965-66 season he was the First Division's top scorer, with a tally of 29 goals. A broken leg, sustained in an FA cup 3rd round match at Everton in 1967 signalled a downturn in his career at Turf Moor. In 1968 he was transferred to Preston.

Present Day

Willie is still working with Burnley, giving guided tours around Turf Moor.