Lenny Johnrose (1969 – 2022)
Burnley Football Club have this afternoon confirmed the passing of former midfield player Lenny Johnrose, who passed away this morning the 15th August 2022 after a long battle with Motor Neurone Disease. The Midfielder made over eighty appearances for the club and was a part of the 2000/01 promotion winning squad under manager Stan Ternent.
Lenny Johnrose, had two spells with the Clarets the first between 1999-2002, before he joined the club again in 2004. The midfielder started his career with Blackburn Rovers in the late 1980’s before joining his home town club, Preston North End on loan. He later signed for Hartlepool United in the summer of 1992, before moving to Gigg Lane prior to Stan Ternent taking control of team affairs in 1995.
His hard working and committed style of play in midfield, reaped benefits for the Gigg Lane club with them gaining promotion from Division Three (1996) and a year later they were crowned Division Two Champions. Johnrose soon followed Stan Ternent to Turf Moor, signing for the Clarets in February 1999. He became an instant favourite with the fans with his desire to succeed at all costs, which lead to him being part of the 1999/2000 Division Two promotion team.
Injuries and increased competition for places restricted his appearances for the Clarets and in April 2002 he was released by the club. He returned to the club on a week-to-week contract the following season before briefly returning to Gigg Lane. In January 2003 in signed for Swansea City and played a vital role in the Swans helping them stave off relegation to Football Conference League, scoring in the vital 4-2 win over Hull City.
Lenny Johnrose returned to Turf Moor in March 2004, fittingly his final Football League appearance was Stan Ternent’s last game as Burnley manager. The former footballer then bravely shared his MND diagnosis to raise awareness and went on to raise thousands pounds with his IceFoot92 challenge.
Chadwick Media 