CONNELLY - Burnley’s chance discovery

"Playing football is something I thoroughly enjoy. Over the years I have always tried to remember that football is a game. That is why I try to approach an inernational, a Cup-tie or a league match, with the same outlook - that football’s a game to be enjoyed by all."

The speaker was John Connelly, outside-right for Burnley and England. A dark-haired and handsome young man of 5ft 8in (1.72m) and 10st 12lb (69kg), his direct play for Burnley has won him the reputation of being one of the speediest wingers since Joe Hulme had left-backs everywhere tearing their hair as he streaked past them, the ball completely under control.

Connelly’s directness has made him a winger who now rates among the best in European football, while his polished ball control puts him in the Tom Finney class. But then Connolly - nicknamed ‘The Flash’ - follows as England’s right-winger not only Finney, but Bryan Douglas (Blackburn Rovers) and Peter Brabrook (Chelsea), both of whom, like Connelly, started their career at inside-left.

Connelly was born and grew up in St. Helens (Lancashire), a rugby league stronghold, and, although he frequently played rugby at school, he developed into a very useful inside-left with the local St.Theresa’s School soccer side. On leaving school, some of the boys decided to remain together. They formed a club, the St. Theresa’s Squires, joined a local league, and did so well that they gained promotion to a higher division. With success, however, the youngsters ran into trouble. They found as opponents many teams taller and heavier than themselves, so they disbanded and joined other clubs.

For Connelly, still small and rather frail, this was a testing time. First St. Helens and then Southport gave him trials, but decided against engaging him because of his lack of height and weight. Even in those days, however, Connelly was a determined young man and he set about a course of hard-training which helped him improve his physique. He then wrote to St. Helens for another trial and surprised them when he presented himself. Few of the club officials would believe this was the same frail young man they had once turned down!

With St. Helens, young Connolly quickly made progress, but it was by sheer chance that Burnley noted his ability during a Lancashire Combination match between St. Helens and Rolls-Royce. The Burnley scout had been sent to watch a Rolls-Royce defender. Instead it was Connolly who impressed him and shortly afterwards, in November 1956, the then Burnley manager, Alan Brown, invited him for a month’s trial.

At the end of the month Connelly, although still far from being a giant, was engaged as a professional. He recalls, "With the intelligent training given to me at Burnley it didn’t take me long to grow taller and to add to my weight and strength." However, he will never forget his landlady’s remarks when she saw him for the first time: "It’s a shame little lads like you should leave home!"

Although Connelly made his early reputation as an inside-left, Burnley introduced him to league football as their outside-left against Leeds United at Elland Road. He gave a most promising display but, when switched to the other wing, was even more impressive. What is it that has made Connelly such a valuable member of the great Burnley team of recent seasons? In my view there are two important factors: (a) his directness and consistency; and (b) his utter unselfishness. Never will you see him attempt a shot at goal when there is a colleaague in a better position; the team always comes first. The outcome is a winger who has established himself as an international and won success because he has cut out the frills.

Strange as it may seem, it was not until last season when Connelly played against Rheims in a European Champions’ Cup-tie, that many English football followers really appreciated the skill of the quick-moving Lancastrian. Then Connelly, with the match being televised over the Eurovision network, scored one of the best goals ever seen on TV. Next day his brilliant performance was discussed everywhere - except possibly in Burnley. After all, the followers of Burnley knew what a fine player they possessed!

Re-produced by Jez Wilson
July 1998

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