Taffy

Darnhill Claret · Post by **Darnhill Claret** » Sat Apr 20, 2024 12:51 am

Hi J. James, if you look at the post immediately preceding that post it is from the same poster, so I will confidently say that I am sure there was no disrespect intended. I would like to say that your dad was much respected and clearly loved by many. I'm also 71 so I have many great memories of your dad as a player, although I cannot give any personal memories as I only knew him as a supporter. Clearly Super Taff put a lot of energy into the Burnley area not just as a footballer, but also a cricketer and obviously as a friend and mentor to many.

I also understand how the choice of words in that post could have annoyed and irritated but not everyone re reads what they have posted, so please don't dwell on the unfortunate wording.

You have my deepest sympathy at this difficult time for you and yours, and thank-you for letting us know so soon after the event. I know how difficult it is to inform people of such sad news. I hope when the pain eases you can celebrate the memories too.

Cubanforever · Post by **Cubanforever** » Sat Apr 20, 2024 1:01 am

God bless you Taffy and thankyou for the memories, a legend

Clive 1960 · Post by **Clive 1960** » Sat Apr 20, 2024 1:11 am

brought up watching the team of the 70s and had the pleasure of watching Leighton play who loved teasing the right back's. RIP SUPER TAFF...

vancouverclaret · Post by **vancouverclaret** » Sat Apr 20, 2024 1:14 am

Sad to hear this. One of the best from the seventies. Loved watching him. RIP

Taffy on the wing · Post by **Taffy on the wing** » Sat Apr 20, 2024 3:22 am

R.I.P. ...he was my favourite player from my days of going on the Turf, when he got the ball there was an expectation & excitement in the crowd.....sad day.

Quicknick · Post by **Quicknick** » Sat Apr 20, 2024 3:45 am

I remember him making his debut when I was in the 5th year at Ermysted's. Leighton was a year older than me. One of my favourite ever Clarets. A truly fantastic footballer. At his peak, he was regarded as one of the wingers in Europe.

RIP, Leighton James

Croydon Claret · Post by **Croydon Claret** » Sat Apr 20, 2024 6:26 am

JJames82 wrote: ↑
Sat Apr 20, 2024 12:01 am
Sorry if my choice (as his daughter!) of a new thread (considering the last one was locked due to unwarranted speculation about his health) announcing the death of my dad, who as a former BFC player loved my many, irritates you, but your comment “another thread already” is unnecessary and quite frankly, hurtful at a very difficult time for his family.

If I have misunderstood your comment then I apologise but as I’m sure you can imagine, emotions are quite fraught this evening.

I'm very sorry for your loss. To have a father loved by so many will hopefully provide some comfort.

I'm sure that Ian is more than capable of explaining but in case he does not read this thread I can explain the context.

There was a duplicate thread started by someone else entitled "Leighton James" . Ian was just advising people in that thread that another thread already existed called "Taffy" to avoid duplication of comments.

As both threads have now been merged then the context has been lost somewhat.

Definitely no malice, just 2 conversations merged into one

joey13 · Post by **joey13** » Sat Apr 20, 2024 6:37 am

So sad to hear this news , my favorite player ever , part of my youth ,a shining star from that wonderful promotion team , Rest in Peace special one , thoughts with his family and friends

MrTopTier · Post by **MrTopTier** » Sat Apr 20, 2024 6:47 am

I was lucky enough to see him play in his third spell and even luckier to see him, as a star struck kid on the many occasions he visited our school.
I have recently lost a good friend of mine, a lifelong claret and someone who shared the same birthday as Leighton. Super Taff was his favourite ever Burnley player.
Sad news indeed. Rest easy Leighton James

hoskinsgoalatswansea · Post by **hoskinsgoalatswansea** » Sat Apr 20, 2024 7:00 am

Very sad news. Only remember him from his third spell, and, although well passed his prime, was a key player in keeping us up in that infamous season.

Met him once, when my dad sold his house for him, and asked if he could bring his “football mad” son to meet him. He agreed and gave me lots of time answering my millions of questions about all things Burnley. Left a great impression on me.

Great guy. RIP Leighton

onewillieirvine · Post by **onewillieirvine** » Sat Apr 20, 2024 7:32 am

RIP Leighton, a very sad day indeed. What a player, what great memories of one of our best ever players.

Goddy · Post by **Goddy** » Sat Apr 20, 2024 7:55 am

I was lucky enough to see Taffy play for us in his first spell......saw him just the once mind. It was at Leeds on Boxing Day (1974). I can't remember any detail about the game other than it was 2-2 and Taffy got both our goals. In my head they were great goals, too....maybe CT with his razor-sharp memory might remember them.

Whatever, it was a special day for a small boy, back then, to be able to witness such a great player doing his thing. Just a brilliant player.

RIP Leighton. My thoughts and prayers go out to his family and friends (inc those on here) at this saddest of times

Stu · Post by **Stu** » Sat Apr 20, 2024 7:57 am

RIP Taffy one the best to ever play for the Clarets great memories.

fatboy47 · Post by **fatboy47** » Sat Apr 20, 2024 7:58 am

RIP Taffy...a real legend in a time where the word tends to be over used.

groove · Post by **groove** » Sat Apr 20, 2024 8:12 am

Really sad news. I only saw him in his 3rd spell with us but he was one of my Dad's idols from the early 70"s and the reason my middle name is Leighton. God bless Taffy.

Corky · Post by **Corky** » Sat Apr 20, 2024 8:19 am

Very sad news indeed. For some unknown reason I can still clearly remember, as if it was yesterday, Leighton playing cricket at Lowerhouse. Probably because the sun was shining!!! That must have been early 70s. Absolutely fantastic player for the Clarets.

ClaretCliff · Post by **ClaretCliff** » Sat Apr 20, 2024 8:30 am

Just seen this news, so sad. Watched him throughout his Burnley career and as so many have already said, he was a fantastic player.

Noblelight · Post by **Noblelight** » Sat Apr 20, 2024 8:45 am

So sorry to hear this sad news. Thoughts are with family and friends.
RIP

Jimmymaccer · Post by **Jimmymaccer** » Sat Apr 20, 2024 8:49 am

I was about 10 years old when Taffy (and other players) used to come into my dad’s shop on Parker Lane. I used to stand “in awe” as they chatted to Dad, but Taffy would then always chat to me about the upcoming match. I was lucky enough to be given the match ball when they’d played Crystal Palace which I had in my dad’s shop when Taffy came in…………he took the time to go through all the signatures and resigned the ball for me………..

You can imagine then as I went in the match with Dad, to see Taffy run out was magical……….

RIP a true Claret legend. Thoughts with his family and friends today.

CharlieinNewMexico · Post by **CharlieinNewMexico** » Sat Apr 20, 2024 8:52 am

When you’re a left winger, that thing where you control, then paddle with your right, paddle with your right, paddle with your right then poooof and get your cross in with your left. I swear Taffy invented that. But I was just 8.

SouthLondonexile · Post by **SouthLondonexile** » Sat Apr 20, 2024 8:52 am

My favourite Burnley player of all time.
The best memory of him comes from the time we played Sunderland at the old Roker Park ( 1978?) stood on an uncovered Roker end, absolutely pouring with rain.
It didn’t seem to matter, Both Leighton and Steve Kindon conspired to destroy the opposition that evening.

Paulclaret · Post by **Paulclaret** » Sat Apr 20, 2024 8:53 am

This is awful news. Probably my favourite Burnley player ever. I remember travelling on a coach to a game in the early 70s, reading the magazine 'Football League Review'. There was an article on Taffy headed 'Young, Gifted and Thankfully Welsh'. It's amazing what things you remember at times like these.

Since62 · Post by **Since62** » Sat Apr 20, 2024 9:27 am

Just watched the highlights of the Villa match posted above. What a team and what a player, great to see him in action again. When football was football!

Vintage Claret · Post by **Vintage Claret** » Sat Apr 20, 2024 9:53 am

Very sad news.

A great player and a true Burnley legend

Deepest sympathies to all Leighton's family and friends.

RIP 'Super Taff'

ElectroClaret · Post by **ElectroClaret** » Sat Apr 20, 2024 10:09 am

RIP Taffy.
Was his last appearance for us in the Sherpa Final, or did he play longer?

Bowclaret · Post by **Bowclaret** » Sat Apr 20, 2024 10:18 am

My son’s middle names is James. Named after one of my favorite players and certainly my dad’s favorite player.

One of the reasons I became a Claret was for watching Taffy. Awesome, awesome player and made the game look easy.

Have a beer with my dad in heaven tonight Super Taf

Tricky Trevor · Post by **Tricky Trevor** » Sat Apr 20, 2024 10:36 am

RIP Taffy. Thank you for the memories.
My favourite was running to the Beehole End in front of the Longside. He was given a bouncing pass, just behind him. As Pat Rice closed in he back-heeled it over his own and Pats’ heads and left him standing wondering what had happened. Shame I can’t say it led to a goal but unforgettable.

Royboyclaret · Post by **Royboyclaret** » Sat Apr 20, 2024 10:48 am

Sad news, indeed.

One of the very finest to ever pull on the famous Claret shirt.

RIP, Leighton.

bfcjg · Post by **bfcjg** » Sat Apr 20, 2024 10:53 am

The club have a week now to make a fitting tribute to Super Taff. The times like these video could incorporate lots of Taff footage and tributes,young fans love singing we are the Longside Burnley you can't think of Leighton now without remembering him tearing down the wing in front of the Longside, young fans,owners, and directors need to know just what he means to us slightly older Clarets.

HahaYeah · Post by **HahaYeah** » Sat Apr 20, 2024 11:00 am

Sad news. A proper Claret legend.

RIP Leighton James.

Royboyclaret · Post by **Royboyclaret** » Sat Apr 20, 2024 11:11 am

bfcjg wrote: ↑
Sat Apr 20, 2024 10:53 am
The club have a week now to make a fitting tribute to Super Taff. The times like these video could incorporate lots of Taff footage and tributes,young fans love singing we are the Longside Burnley you can't think of Leighton now without remembering him tearing down the wing in front of the Longside, young fans,owners, and directors need to know just what he means to us slightly older Clarets.

So many memories of the great man......and it's just crossed my mind that the featured game for tomorrow's " On this day " thread will be easy to choose. It was Easter Saturday 51 years ago and Taffy was in a mean mood before the match.... as Brighton were just about to find out.

Funkydrummer · Post by **Funkydrummer** » Sat Apr 20, 2024 11:18 am

One of my greatest memories from the past was watching the wizardry of Taffy. The same age as me so watching him play was very special for me.

Played a bit of cricket with him down at Lowerhouse, and he wasn't too shabby at that either. If my memory serves me correctly, in the early years, he married a young lass from our school (Towneley) who tragically died very young.

He also bought and renovated a cottage on Padiham Road, across from the George IV and called it Captains Cottage. He frequented The George from time to time.

Finally, an apocryphal tale from many moons ago. An old mate of mine's girlfriend worked on the counter of a well known bank, and one day, in walked Taffy to open an account. Knowing full well who he was, she thought she would have a bit of fun and when asked if he could open an account, she produced an application form and offered to complete it for him. This he gratefully accepted, and so she began.

"First of all, could I please have your name?"
With a degree of indignance, he replied "James"
"James what she replied?"
"Leighton James"
"Oh, OK she said
"Your occupation please"
At which point Taff walked out the door in a huff.

True ? I'll leave it to you to decide.

RIP Taffy and many thanks for the fabulous memories.

Pickles · Post by **Pickles** » Sat Apr 20, 2024 11:20 am

I was born in 1990 so never saw James play but you always hear so much about him and he's held in such high regard.

What sort of player was he? Anyone similar to have played for us as a reference point? He sounds like he tied full backs in knots.

Also what strikes me about the recollections on this thread is how often people met the players they idolised in and around the town.

ecc · Post by **ecc** » Sat Apr 20, 2024 11:40 am

Hello JJames82,

First of all, I would like to express my condolences to you and your family at this terrible time.

I'm not a moderator but wish to reassure you that the comment about multiple threads wasn't meant in a disrespectful manner.

Sometimes multiple threads occur on the same subject for a number of reasons eg two people writing at more or less the same time. At others, a poster begins a thread without having noticed one is up already.

I'm also certain very few people realised who you were.

Your father was loved by all Clarets but not only. Swansea fans are in mourning as is the whole Welsh football community.

Your father gave thousands and thousands of people joy and happiness. We cannot ask a person to do much more.

I wish I could be at Bramhall Lane today to show my respect to Mr Leighton James.

May you and your family find the strength to carry on.

And may his soul rest in eternal peace.

Vino blanco · Post by **Vino blanco** » Sat Apr 20, 2024 11:41 am

I first saw Taffy play for Burnley reserves in whatever year it was. I used to go on the reserves with my brother or my pals on Saturdays when the first team were away. My first thought was that for a left winger he used to appear to drag the ball behind him with his right foot, but then suddenly he would accelerate and go past defenders like they weren’t there. I said on his first appearance that he would soon be in the first team...that took about a month I seem to remember.
He is certainly in my greatest ever Clarets eleven, along with a Jimmy Mac, Brian O’Neil etc. RIP to a great Burnley legend.

andyh · Post by **andyh** » Sat Apr 20, 2024 11:48 am

One of my absolute favourites. Thanks for the memories. Even though he had left by then I was sort of proud when he almost single handedly destroyed England in a 4-1 mauling.

ecc · Post by **ecc** » Sat Apr 20, 2024 11:52 am

Hi Vino blanco,

You said "My first thought was that for a left winger he used to appear to drag the ball behind him with his right foot, but then suddenly he would accelerate and go past defenders like they weren’t there."

He does this for our first goal in this match against Villa.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=edPH4HvWu_0

bfcjg · Post by **bfcjg** » Sat Apr 20, 2024 11:55 am

Got this from a Swansea forum they loved him as well.
"Many years ago myself and a mate walked into the Mardy one afternoon for a game or two of pool, nobody else in the pub apart from the landlady and Leighton sitting at the bar, later on I went to the bar to get another round in, Leighton says, "she's down the cellar, what you having, he jumped around behind the bar and pulled me a couple of pints, he politely refused the offer of a drink and went to sit back on his stool.
It wouldn't have registered to Leighton what he had just done, for this jack, it will stay with me until my time comes.

Rest easy Leighton, Legend "

Joeandy1920 · Post by **Joeandy1920** » Sat Apr 20, 2024 1:28 pm

So very, very sad to hear this news. Leighton James was my first football “hero” back in the early 70’s, and I watched him play many times.
What a fantastic footballer “Taffy” was!
Condolences to all the family. Big love to all of you!

bfcmik · Post by **bfcmik** » Sat Apr 20, 2024 1:34 pm

R.I.P. to one of the great players from my youth.

elwaclaret · Post by **elwaclaret** » Sat Apr 20, 2024 1:42 pm

Struggling to take this in.

RIP Taffy

IanMcL · Post by **IanMcL** » Sat Apr 20, 2024 2:18 pm

JJames82 wrote: ↑
Sat Apr 20, 2024 12:01 am
Sorry if my choice (as his daughter!) of a new thread (considering the last one was locked due to unwarranted speculation about his health) announcing the death of my dad, who as a former BFC player loved my many, irritates you, but your comment “another thread already” is unnecessary and quite frankly, hurtful at a very difficult time for his family.

If I have misunderstood your comment then I apologise but as I’m sure you can imagine, emotions are quite fraught this evening.

I am pleased to say that you have just misunderstood. I had not noticed the connection, so my sincerest of apologies for that -particularly at this time. I feel very bad about additional upset for you.

The intention was to nip in the bud 2 threads. The one was attracting very positive comments and I was trying to keep the flow going. Doesn't make me less of an idiot for not checking the poster!
Sorry doesn't cut it. But sorry I am.

Up the Clarets and my sincerest condolences for losing your sad- our hero.

Ian

ClaretTony · Post by **ClaretTony** » Sat Apr 20, 2024 6:02 pm

Nice chant of Super Taff as we left Bramall Lane this afternoon.

Vim Fuego · Post by **Vim Fuego** » Sat Apr 20, 2024 6:26 pm

RIP Taffy. It was an absolute pleasure to watch you play football

expoultryboy · Post by **expoultryboy** » Sat Apr 20, 2024 6:40 pm

So sad to to hear the news about my hero . Rip super taff .

quoonbeatz · Post by **quoonbeatz** » Sat Apr 20, 2024 6:45 pm

Only saw the news this morning. Only saw him play right at the end and remembered him most for his odd name (to a 9 year old). Always one of the players my dad and uncles would talking of in the most glowing terms. Hope he enjoyed the game this afternoon from on high.

MeeActon1 · Post by **MeeActon1** » Sat Apr 20, 2024 7:52 pm

That’s for you Taffy. Sleep well.

Tufty · Post by **Tufty** » Sat Apr 20, 2024 10:19 pm

Iconic great player. His method never changed...receive the ball out wide, then like a matador, hold and wait, keep your poise , then make the defender back peddle whilst you advance toward him, waiting for him to make his move, then glide past and make the cross or shot. Tried and tested and more successful than not. Superb.

Also remember walking into Townley museum once and stumbled upon a photo exhibition...and there it was, a black and white portrait photo of Leighton sat on stool totally naked with just a football, suitably placed to maintain his dignity! He was definitely a character alright. Thanks for the memories and RIP.

ClaretPete001 · Post by **ClaretPete001** » Sat Apr 20, 2024 11:06 pm

Fantastic player and a true legend of the club.

Probably my first boyhood hero. RIP Leighton condolences to the family

Stan Tastic · Post by **Stan Tastic** » Sun Apr 21, 2024 12:51 am

Opposition would double up on him but I remember him running out of play to get past them and still outpacing them. A fantastic player who was super charged by the Longside's roar. My favourite ever Burnley player who will never be forgotten. He really was the Super Taff.