John Connelly began playing for St. Helens Town in 1956. Born John Michael Connelly at Clock Face on 18th July 1938, he was an apprentice joiner at Clock Face colliery and joined the club from St. Theresas FC, Sutton Manor, at the same time as John Quinn. Scouts from Burnley came to Hoghton Road in November 1956 to watch another player, but Connelly had an outstanding game and was immediately offered a trial at Turf Moor. He went on to make his debut against Leeds United at Elland Road on 11th March 1957.

John went on to gain a regular first team place at Burnley in 1958/59 and the following season, won a Football League Championship medal at Turf Moor. Burnley were at the peak of the game in those days and played in the European Cup in 1960/61 and were beaten FA Cup finalists and Championship runners-up in 1961/62 season.

A right winger blessed with great speed, he could also play on the left and was a prolific goal scorer, getting 20 in the 1959/60 Championship season from 34 games. In all, Connelly scored 105 goals in 265 Burnley appearances, before he was transferred for £56,000 in April 1964 to Manchester United, where he teamed up with former St. Helens Town prodigy Bill Foulkes. He won his second Championship medal at Old Trafford in the 1964/65 season. John scored 35 goals in 113 appearances with United before transferring to Blackburn Rovers for £40,000 at the start of the 1966/67 season, finishing his career with Bury in 1973.

John Connelly was an England regular between 1959 and 1966, earning 20 caps and scoring 7 goals. He was also capped by the Football League. His international debut came against Wales in Cardiff on 17th October 1959 and he was a squad member in Englands 1962 and 1966 World Cup finals campaigns. Indeed, John played in Englands 1966 opener against Uruguay, but after a 0-0 draw, Alf Ramsey left him out for the remaining games. Belatedly, however, he was presented with his World Cup Winners medal by Gordon Brown in June 2009.

In retirement from football, John operated a successful fish and chip business with several outlets in Lancashire. John lived near Burnley, at Barrowford, until his death in October 2012. He has two brothers who still reside at Clock Face.