His Burnley career may have only lasted two years over a century ago but the impact of former Claret Jimmy Hogan on European football is huge.
Nelson-born Jimmy, who scored 12 goals in 50 appearances for Burnley, is often cited as one of the pioneers of football coaching and is credited with laying the foundation for the great Hungarian team of the 1950’s which featured the likes of Ferenc Puskas.
Local Community Trust, the Turf Moor Memorial Garden, have announced that the unveiling of the headstone will take place at Burnley tomorrow, a date which coincides with Hogan’s birthday.
The event will be attended by the Mayor of Burnley Cllr Mark Townsend and be presided over by local Priest, Rev David Featherstone of St Mary of the Assumption RC Church, Burnley.
Representatives of many of Jimmy’s former football clubs, including MTK Budapest, Burnley, Aston Villa, Bolton Wanders, Celtic and Fulham will be in attendance along with many of the patrons and groups that made the project happen.
Surviving members of Jimmy’s family will also attend.
Peter Briggs, chairman of the Turf Moor Memorial Garden and project lead, said: “This project has brought together a large number of individuals to support the memory of a footballing great.”
“Too many people still haven’t heard of Jimmy Hogan and what he did for football, however this small token may go some way to bring his story to more people and thank him for his efforts”.
His playing career saw Jimmy turn out for Nelson, Fulham, Swindon Town and Bolton Wanderers before a coaching career on the continent in which he became recognised as one of the greatest coaches of his time.
He is sometimes credited with the revolution in European football that saw Hungary thrash England 6–3 at Wembley in 1953, ushering in a new football era.
After the match, Sándor Barcs, then president of the Hungarian Football Federation, said to the press, "Jimmy Hogan taught us everything we know about football."
After finding success with a variety of clubs and national teams overseas, Jimmy returned to England and managed former club Fulham and Aston Villa before a succession of other coaching and scouting roles at home and abroad.
He passed away at the age of 91 in January 1974 whilst living with his sister in Burnley.
The project to create a lasting marker on Jimmy’s grave is being financed by the Turf Moor Memorial Garden, Burnley Former Players Association (BFPA), Burnley FC Supporters Group, Aston Villa Football Club, Fulham Football Club, the Celtic Grave Society, MTK Budapest, György Szöllősi, President of the Hungarian Sports Journalists' Association, former Burnley Football Club directors Clive Holt, Martin Hobbs, Terry Crabb, Brendan Flood and Barry Kilby, along with current Burnley Football Club director John Banaszkiewicz and members of Jimmy Hogan’s family.
Stevenson Memorials have also provided funds and have donated a plaque that has been mounted next to Jimmy’s beloved Turf Moor within the Memorial Garden.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel