Leighton James, a former Wales winger who played over 600 Football League appearances, died at the age of 71.
James, who has 54 Wales caps, played 399 games for Burnley over three seasons and spent two years at Derby County.
James also played for Swansea City, Sunderland, Bury, and Newport County over his 19-year career before transitioning to management with many clubs.
Burnley and Swansea said they were “saddened” by James’ death.
Clarets chairman Alan Pace said: “We are saddened to learn of Leighton’s demise.
“He left an indelible mark on this football club, and stories about his playing abilities still reverberate around Turf Moor.”
“Our thoughts are with his family at this sad time.”
Swansea stated that James was “widely regarded as one of the Swans’ finest players.”
The Welsh club also stated that James “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 club’s rise.”
“He went on to star the following campaign as John Toshack’s side took the fight to the elite of English football, eventually finishing sixth in the First Division.”
Following the conclusion of his playing career, James continued to be active in football as a media analyst and was known for his strong comments.
James was born on February 16, 1953, in Loughor, Swansea. He began his professional career with Burnley, making his league debut against Nottingham Forest in November 1970.
After five years, 180 Clarets appearances, and 45 goals, First Division champions Derby County spent a club record £300,000 to bring James to the Baseball Ground.
James went on to play for Queens Park Rangers before returning to Burnley, but when the Clarets were demoted to the third tier, he was forced to look for other opportunities.
A return to his hometown piqued James’ interest, and he joined Swansea City, helping them advance from the third division to the first during a period when he played some of his greatest games as part of manager John Toshack’s rapid rise.
Swansea rose from the lowest division to the top division in just three years, including victories over Liverpool, Manchester United, Arsenal, and Tottenham Hotspur.
James finished his club career with spells at Sunderland, Bury, and Newport County before returning to Burnley for a third time in 1986 and retiring there in 1989.
Before Ryan Giggs and Gareth Bale, James was the left winger who would get club and international fans’ hearts racing.
Less than a year after making his Burnley debut, and still a teenager, he earned his first senior cap for Wales in a 1-0 defeat to Czechoslovakia.
James never competed in a major tournament for Wales, although he did play a role in some notable wins.
His penalty won a memorable victory over England at Wembley Stadium in the British Home Championships, but his best international performance came in 1980, when he scored and sparkled in Wales’ 4-1 win over England at Wrexham.
James scored ten times for Wales before retiring in 1983.
Following his playing career, James managed a number of non-league clubs in England and Wales, the most well-known of which was Accrington Stanley from 1997 to 1998.
In Wales, he managed Llanelli, Aberaman, and Haverfordwest County.
James became well-known in Wales following his playing days for his candid opinions as a radio analyst and newspaper columnist.
That was best demonstrated in 2006, when James engaged in an intense on-air debate with Robbie Savage on Savage’s decision to retire from international football.
James also worked as a lollipop guy at Penyrheol Primary School in Swansea, until he had a stroke in 2014.
Swansea’s players will wear black armbands as they pay respects to James at Huddersfield on Saturday, 20 April, as will their under-21s as they host Bristol City on the same day.