Stoke City are mourning the death of former forward Harry Burrows, who has passed away at the age of 85. The club paid £27,000 to sign Burrows from Aston Villa in March 1965, beginning an eight-year association that cemented his place in Potters history.
This sad news comes as the current Stoke side, sitting 15th in the Championship with 7 points from six games, prepare for their next fixtures away at Watford on September 12. The BBC reported the passing of the club great this week.
What was Harry Burrows' record for Stoke City?
Harry Burrows made 281 appearances for Stoke City and scored 79 goals during his time at the Victoria Ground. That goal tally places him 13th on the club's all-time top scorers list. His contributions were vital during a successful period for the club, which included runs to the FA Cup semi-finals in both 1971 and 1972.
A cruel twist of fate saw Burrows miss one of the club's greatest days, however. He was sidelined through injury and could not feature in Stoke's League Cup final victory at Wembley in 1972. After his long service, he joined Plymouth Argyle in 1973, making 19 appearances and scoring three goals before ending his professional career.
What did his teammates say about him?
Former teammate Terry Conroy shared warm memories of Burrows, highlighting both his footballing ability and his character. "He was a terrific footballer with a cannonball shot - it was once measured as the hardest shot in the game," Conroy said. He also remembered Burrows as a universally popular figure in the dressing room, adding, "He was such a genial lad; there are some people in life that everybody gets on with and Harry was one of them."
How does the current Stoke squad compare?
The modern-day Potters are navigating a challenging start to the 2026/27 season. Steven Schumacher's team has a goal difference of -1, having scored 9 and conceded 10 in their opening six matches. Their recent form reads DWWLL, and they currently sit four points behind early leaders West Ham in the Championship standings.
The squad is also dealing with several absences, with Aaron Cresswell, Ato Ampah, Ben Gibson, Bosun Lawal, Junior Tchamadeu, and Sam Gallagher all currently sidelined, as listed on the club's injuries page. This context makes the durability and consistent contribution of a player like Burrows, who featured so regularly across eight seasons, all the more notable.
Harry Burrows' legacy is one of significant goal output and lasting fondness from those who played alongside him. Stoke City's next match is away at 11th-placed Watford on Saturday, September 12.
