Former Wales winger Leighton James has died at the age of 71. (More Football News)
James바카라 former clubs Burnley and Swansea 바카라 where he spent 13 years of a colourful 19-year senior career 바카라 were among those to pay tribute to a gifted player who won 54 caps for his country.
바카라We are sorry to hear the news of Leighton바카라s passing,바카라 Burnley chairman Alan Pace said of James, who had three spells at Turf Moor and scored 81 goals in 399 appearances for the Clarets.
바카라He left an indelible mark on this football club and stories of his playing skills still echo around Turf Moor.
바카라Our thoughts are with his family at this sad time.바카라
Swansea-born James made his Burnley debut in 1970 바카라 his pace and trickery quickly making him a Clarets바카라 favourite 바카라 before joining Derby for a then club-record fee of £310,000 and having a one-season stop at QPR.
James returned to Burnley in 1978 before joining his hometown club two years later and helping their rise in to the old First Division under John Toshack.
바카라Swansea City is deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Leighton James at the age of 71,바카라 read a club statement.
바카라The gifted winger, widely-regarded as one of the Swans바카라 finest players, was a key figure in the side that secured a first-ever promotion to the top-flight in 1981, scoring a stunning goal in the victory over Preston North End at Deepdale to complete the club바카라s rise.
바카라He went on to star the following campaign as John Toshack바카라s side took the fight to the elite of English football, eventually finishing sixth in the First Division.
바카라The thoughts of everyone at Swansea City are with Leighton바카라s friends and family at this sad time.바카라
After three years at Swansea, James went on to play for Sunderland, Bury and Newport before taking his career full circle with a third spell at Burnley.
James바카라 10 international goals included the match-winning penalty against England in the 1976-77 British Home Championship 바카라 Wales바카라 only ever victory against their neighbours at Wembley.
The Football Association of Wales posted on X: 바카라It is with great sadness that we share the news that @Cymru international Leighton James has sadly passed away.
바카라Amongst his most famous moments with the dragon on his shirt was scoring a penalty in a famous win over England at Wembley in 1977.
바카라He was a star of the only Cymru team to top a qualifying group before going on to reach the quarter-finals of Euro 1976.바카라
James held various coaching positions in South Wales after his playing career and worked in the media, where he developed a reputation as a forthright columnist and pundit.
Both Burnley and Swansea have confirmed they will wear black armbands in their respective matches against Sheffield United and Huddersfield on Saturday as a tribute to James.
