Burnley Football Club is saddened to announce the death of May Adamson, the wife of legendary ex-Clarets captain and manager Jimmy Adamson.

May, who had been married to Jimmy for 57 years, passed away peacefully in Royal Blackburn Hospital on Thursday, aged 78, after suffering from a long term illness.

Burnley Football Club chief executive Mr Paul Fletcher, a close personal friend of the family, said: "I have known May, along with Jimmy, since I first came to the club in the late 1960s.

"Jimmy was a father figure to me and whenever I visited him at his home May was always there with coffee and biscuits.

"Since the day Jimmy left in the mid 1970s I have visited them on a regular basis and haven't missed seeing them both on Christmas Eve for the last 37 years.

Jimmy Adamson

"Over the past 10 years Colin Waldron has joined me, and players from our era have come along too.

"We have kept in close touch with them both and their family and got to know their grandchildren very well.

"Jimmy and May were a lovely couple and it is very sad news, although she had been ill for a number of years.

"She was a beautiful woman in every way and although we all know the huge contribution Jimmy made to Burnley Football Club, the old adage - that behind every great man is a great woman - has never been truer.

"They had endured tragedies, including losing their own daughters, but they have both shown great courage throughout and I know May has been a constant tower of strength for Jimmy.

"I know I speak on behalf of everyone at Burnley Football Club in passing on our deep condolences at this sad time."