FORMER Burnley full back Reg Kirkham has died days before his 80th birthday.

Mr Kirkham who would have been 80 tomorrow played 15 games for Burnley between 1947 and 1951 and played in the Central League championship side of 1949.

Mr Kirkham was involved in the setting up of the Ex-Clarets' Association and lived in retirement in the town.

Clarets' historian Ray Simpson said: "Reg was one of a group of players just after the war who got together to found the original Ex-Clarets and was one of the driving forces around it.''

A native of Maghull, Reg joined Everton as an amateur in 1938, signing professional terms with Wolves the next season.

He returned to Wolves after the war moving to Burnley in 1947.

His only goal for the Clarets was at Turf Moor against Portsmouth in 1950.

A double fracture of the leg on tour in Turkey ended his senior career but he played briefly for Rossendale before finally retiring.

He leaves a wife, Vi, daughter Diane, three grandchildren and five great grandchildren.

A service will be held at St James' Church, Briercliffe on Monday at 1.30pm prior to interment in the churchyard.

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