| Bth | 02/02/51 | Willington | Co Durham |
| P/H/W | Gk | 5-11 | |
| Jnd | 11/67 | Willington | amateur |
| Deb | 26/12/70 | Leeds (A) | D1 |
| Dep | 10/74 | Darlington | £5,000 |
| A/G | 15 |
Durham born stopper who was picked up from Willington as a teenager. An able deputy for McFaul he had a tough debut when, at the age of 18, he was between the sticks at Elland Road in a 3-0 defeat.
His best time on Tyneside was at the end of 1972-73 season when he had an eight game run in the side and actually kept McFaul out for a couple of games with Harvey explaining: “Martin has done everything I have asked of him since he took over…I couldn’t leave him out at present”. Unfortunately he lost his place when he broke a finger.
A keen weight lifter and body builder he was a "well built" keeper who commanded his area well but his weight turned out to be his undoing.
Burleigh had suffered a family tragedy during the summer of 1973 and he returned for pre-season training weighing 16st 11lb; 3st overweight. As a result he picked up a calf injury and due to depression he twice quit training and returned home to Spennymoor. The second time he stayed away for two-weeks and was fined.
Joe Harvey said: “The point is Martin is a great 'keeper. It's up to him now. We want him to make it and we'll help him all we can". The club helped him through his personal problems and he played a couple of games towards the end of the season.
However when he returned for pre-season the following summer he was once again tipping the scales at over 16 stone. The club sent him a letter threatening to tear up his contract and Harvey threatened to sign a new keeper. In response Burleigh told the club he was quitting football and considering a career in the RAF. Westwood later said: “we were fed up with his attitude and his irresponsibility”.
He went to Darlington on a month’s trial in October, but Chairman Westwood confirmed that “He will never play for us again”. He did well enough to earn a permanent deal and signed for £5,000.
Following the sale of John Hope, Burleigh became McFaul's deputy. Made his debut in the 3-0 defeat at Elland Road on Boxing Day.
Made one appearance in the 4-2 home victory over Coventry.
Unhappy with his lack of game-time he was considering a move, but after a meeting with Harvey he decided to stay. A loan move to Luton then fell through. After that he got his best run in the side when Mcfaul was injured in February. Displaying very confident handling Burleigh did so well that even when the Irishman was fit again he retained his place. During March he shed half a stone in a week to bring him down to thirteen stone, his “fighting weight”. However he broke one of his fingers which sidelined him for the rest of the season.
Burleigh had suffered a family tragedy during the close season and as a result of not keeping fit he returned for pre-season training weighing 16st 11lb; 3st overweight. The club helped him through his personal problems and he played a couple of games towards the end of the season. Bobby Robson was interested in taking him to Ipswich but United rebuffed his advances.
Played for: Darlington, Carlisle, Hartlepool, B Auckland, Spennymoor, Langley Park
Painting by Piotr