Kenny Burns

Football player infobox
playername = Kenny Burns
fullname = Kenneth Burns
dateofbirth = birth date and age|1953|9|23|df=y
cityofbirth = Glasgow
countryofbirth = Scotland
position = Defender / Striker
years = 1971–1977
1977–1981
1981–1984
1984–1985
1984–1985
1985–1986
1986
1986–1987
1987–1988
1988–1989
1989
1989–1990
1990–1993
1993
clubs = Birmingham City
Nottingham Forest
Leeds United
Derby County
→ Notts County (loan)
Barnsley
IF Elfsborg
Sutton Town
Stafford Rangers
Grantham Town
Alfreton Town
Gainsborough Trinity
Ilkeston Town
Oakham United
caps(goals) = 170 (45)
137 (13)
056 0(2)
038 0(2)
002 0(0)
021 0(0)
018 0(5)
nationalyears = 1974–1981
nationalteam = Scotland
nationalcaps(goals) = 020 0(1)

Kenneth "Kenny" Burns (born 23 September 1953) is a former Scotland international footballer, most famous for his time with Nottingham Forest, where he played a vital role in their European Cup successes.

Burns was born in Glasgow, and started his career with Rangers as an apprentice but left for Birmingham City aged 17, in 1971. He arrived at the Blues as a defender, but was converted to striker after Bob Latchford left in 1974,cite book
author=Matthews, Tony |title=Birmingham City: A Complete Record |year=1995 |publisher=Breedon Books |location=Derby |pages=p. 76–77 |isbn=978-1-85983-010-9] and earned the first of his 20 international caps in that role soon afterwards. [cite web |url=http://www.scottishfa.co.uk/player_details.cfm?playerid=113756&CFID=586756&CFTOKEN=20386009 |title=Scotland National Teams Player Details: Kenny Burns |publisher=SFA |accessdate=2008-07-03] However, after joining Nottingham Forest for £150,000 in 1977, he was converted back into a central defender by Brian Clough and Peter Taylor.

Burns proved a great success in his new role and was voted FWA Footballer of the Year in 1977-78, as Forest won the First Division title. He was an influential figure in the side's European Cup campaigns over the next three seasons, his defensive partnership with Larry Lloyd instrumental to Forest's victory in the 1979 and 1980 tournaments. At one time he was renowned for his 'wild man' image and while maintaining an aggressive nature, he also possessed a shrewd football brain and was always likely to score vital goals.

Burns left the City Ground in 1981 when Forest accepted a £400,000 offer from Leeds United for him. He stayed with the Yorkshire side until 1984 and played with Derby County, Notts County (on loan), Barnsley and Elfsborg in the latter stages of his professional career.

He went on to represent a string of non-league clubs as player or player-coach, finishing up as assistant manager of Telford United in 1993. [cite web |url=http://www.thegingerbreads.co.uk/gtfcstats/player.php?sort=season_name&id=371 |title=Kenny Burns profile |publisher=Grantham Town F.C. |accessdate=2008-07-03]

References

External links

*SFA Profile|id=113756|name=Kenny Burns

Persondata
NAME = Burns, Kenny
ALTERNATIVE NAMES = Burns, Kenneth
SHORT DESCRIPTION = Professional footballer
DATE OF BIRTH = 1953-09-23
PLACE OF BIRTH = Glasgow, Scotland
DATE OF DEATH =
PLACE OF DEATH =