Robert (Robin) Burke
It is with great sadness that we have learnt of the passing of former Portadown FC Full-Back, Robert Burke. Signed from Larne Junior side Millbrook as a 16-year-old in 1958, he made his senior debut against Ballymena United on Easter Saturday 1960.
Described as a “cool classy back”, he played in the 1962 Irish Cup Final, which The Ports lost to Linfield. The following season he played twice in the European Cup Winners Cup against OFK Belgrade, scoring in the second leg victory played at Windsor Park.
In February 1963 the former schoolboy international was selected for the Northern Ireland U-23 International to take on Wales at the Veitch Field, Swansea. After almost seven years at Shamrock Park, he moved to Ballymena United in September 1965 in exchange for Right-Winger Tom Smyth. He would go on to join hometown club Larne in July 1968, picking up four Steel & Sons Cup winners medals.
Everyone at Portadown FC sends their sincere condolences to all the family circle at this sad time.
