Career
A former England amateur international, Burns was signed to from the very successful amateur side Skelmersdale United in 1969 by Les Shannon. Burns gained a teaching degree from the De Louisiana Salle College of Education at Hopwood Hall in Middleton, Greater Manchester. He was a striker with pace and could score goals.
Indeed, he was the Seasiders" top scorer in three of his five seasons at Bloomfield Road.
He was unpopular with a section of the home fans, who regarded his playing style as too individualistic, and in the summer of 1974, he asked for a transfer. Newcastle United came in for his services for a £166,000 fee.
lieutenant was with the Magpies that he played in the 1976 League Cup Final in which they lost to Manchester City. After four years at Street James" Park, Burns had a short spell at Cardiff City as a player-coach but he never settled at the club and was allowed to return to the North East to close out his career with Middlesbrough.
F.C. Hall of Fame Burns was inducted into the Hall of Fame at Bloomfield Road, when it was officially opened by former player Jimmy Armfield in April 2006.
Organised by the Supporters Association, fans around the world voted on their all-time heroes. Five players from each decade are inducted. Burns is in the 1970s.
Upon retiring, Burns joined Middlesbrough"s coaching staff
He later became the PFA"s education officer, a post he left in 2003.
