BURNLEY and Leeds United icon Ian Lawson has passed away at the age of 84. The Premier League club shared the sombre news ahead of today’s match against Liverpool. The former striker was first noticed by the Clarets while playing for Pelton schoolboys in County Durham.
He joined Turf Moor in 1954 and turned professional two years later on his 17th birthday. In less than a year, he made a remarkable impact. Lawson netted FOUR goals as Burnley thrashed Chesterfield 7-0 in the FA Cup.
He followed this up with a hat-trick a month later in another FA Cup triumph, this time with a 9-0 victory over New Brighton. International recognition soon followed when he earned caps for England at youth level.
Lawson made 30 appearances for Burnley, scoring 15 goals, before moving to Leeds in 1962 for a fee of £20,000. He played a crucial role in helping them secure the Second Division title in 1964 under Don Revie but then moved south to join Crystal Palace 12 months later.
