Born in Preston, Michael started his youth career with his home town side but would fail to make the grade as a professional with PNE.

A move to Skelmersdale, and amateur league side, would have come as something as a disappointment to Burns then, but would actually be the making of the nippy striker. That spell gave him his big break and a move to Blackpool where he would score 53 goals in 179 games for the North West club, including 4 in a 10-0 Anglo-Italian Cup victory over Vicenza. But his sometimes selfish style of play would see some sections of the home terraces turn against him, and in 1974 he forced a move to Newcastle United for £165k.

He would spend 4 years on Tyneside, including being in a losing League Cup final against Manchester City. A reasonable return of goals, averaging just better than one goal every four games didn't pull up any trees but was is certainly not the worst in the clubs history.

After moving to Cardiff, he would retire from his playing career and join MIddlesbrough in a coaching role, and later the PFA's Education Officer.