Henry Burrows (17 March 1941 – 8 September 2026) was an English professional footballer who played as a forward in the Football League for Aston Villa, Plymouth Argyle and Stoke City.
Career Burrows was born in Haydock in St Helens, Lancashire on 17 March 1941. He attracted the attentions of First Division clubs, Burnley, Liverpool, and Aston Villa whilst playing for Wigan Boys. Burrows turned them all down including an offer from Stan Cullis at Wolverhampton Wanderers instead turning his attentions on becoming an apprentice with the National Coal Board (NCB) at Haydock colliery.
Villa manager Joe Mercer persuaded Burrows to sign part-time in March 1958 and he made his debut in 1959–60 as Villa won the Second Division title. He played and scored in the final of the inaugural League Cup in 1961 as Villa beat Rotherham United 3–2. Burrows won an England U23 cap against Greece and finished as Villa's top goalscorer in 1961–62 and 1962–63, although the departure of Mercer ended a golden period in Villa's history. The signings of new manager Dick Taylor all earned a higher basic wage then the existing Villa players which caused friction and one by one the players departed and Villa would end up languishing in the Third Division.
He was a highly prized asset at Villa Park and his transfer to Stoke City for £27,000 on transfer deadline day in March 1965 was seen as a coup for Tony Waddington. His infamous 'cannonball' like shot soon made him a terrace favourite at the Victoria Ground. He scored 17 goals in 1966–67 as Stoke let a good start to the season come to nothing and they finished in 12th place. He was joint top league goalscorer in 1967–68 with 15 goals as Stoke finished 18th. He top scored again in 1969–70 with 14 and played 45 games in 1970–71 as Stoke lost out to Arsenal in the FA Cup semi-final. Injuries led to Burrows being released on a free transfer in the summer of 1973 and signed for Plymouth Argyle. He helped Argyle gain promotion to the Second Division in 1974–75 but with his knee still causing him trouble he decided to retire.
Style of play Burrows could play in all forward positions but was most regularly played as an out and out winger. He was renowned for his pace and powerful left foot shot.
Retirement and death On his retirement Burrows returned to Staffordshire and ran a haberdashery business, a pub and a post office and occasionally turned out in charity matches. He lived for a number of years in the Staffordshire village of Abbots Bromley, where he was the president of the local football club, the Abbots Bromley Stags.
Burrows died on 8 September 2026, aged 85. His death was met with tributes from Aston Villa and Stoke City.
Career statistics + Appearances and goals by club, season and competitionClubSeasonLeagueFA CupLeague CupOtherTotalDivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAston Villa1959–60Second Division1000——101960–61First Division1120063—1751961–62First Division34134334—42201962–63First Division39163284—50221963–64First Division40162011—43171964–65First Division2262053—299Total1475311523150018179Stoke City1964–65First Division1030000—1031965–66First Division3691052—42111966–67First Division42171010—44171967–68First Division42152051—49161968–69First Division3544400—3981969–70First Division34143010—38141970–71First Division3458110214571971–72First Division1012000401611972–73First Division2000000020Total245682151336128577Cleveland Stokers (loan)1967United Soccer Association93———93Plymouth Argyle1973–74Third Division920010—1021974–75Third Division1010020—121Total1930030—223Career total4201273210391861497156
Honours Aston Villa Football League Second Division: 1959–60 Football League Cup: 1960–61; runner-up: 1962–63
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