THE devoted wife of Burnley soccer legend Jimmy McIlroy has died.

Barbara McIlroy, 72, was taken ill at the couple's Burnley home on Saturday morning and died in the afternoon at Burnley General Hospital with members of the family by her bedside.

Mrs McIlroy and former Burnley and Northern Ireland star Jimmy recently celebrated their 48th wedding anniversary.

He was said to have been deeply shocked by the death of his wife, who he had known for fifty years.

She leaves a son Paul, daughter Anne and three grandchildren, Catherine, Tara and Bethany.

Paul said: "She had a couple of strokes about 18 months ago but her death was sudden and came as a shock to the family."

A Burnley woman, Mrs McIlroy met Jimmy when he was a star player at Turf Moor.

One of the stands at the ground is now named after him in honour of his performances for the club and popularity with fans.

But while Jimmy grabbed the headlines, Mrs McIlroy was content to stay in the background, supporting her husband and family.

She was a lifelong member of Burnley's Towneley Methodist Church until it closed recently and had since attended the town's new United Methodist Church in Briercliffe Road.

Her funeral will be held at the church on Friday, including a service at 10.45am.

Local MP Peter Pike, a keen Burnley supporter since the days when Jimmy wore the famous Claret and Blue strip, said: "I am very sorry to hear of Barbara's death, I had met her on a number of occasions.

"It will obviously have come as a big blow to Jimmy and other members of the family.

"She was very much a local person and someone happy to keep out of the limelight. Obviously she has been a big support to Jimmy over many years."

United Methodist Church minister the Rev David Burton, said: "She was a regular worshipper and a lovely person. On the Saturday before she died she was busy preparing the biscuits and tea. She will be missed very much."