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Statement issued by Ipswich and legend George Burley confirming his cancer diagnosis

A heartfelt statement has been issued by Ipswich Town and the legend that is George Burley confirming his cancer diagnosis.

The 68 year old former footballer and manager is currently having treatment for cancer, and has spoken about it for the first time publicly.

Fans and clubs across the country have joined chairman Mark Ashton and manager Kieran McKenna in sending their best wishes and speedy recovery.

STATEMENT:

Ipswich Town Football Club can confirm that legendary former player and Manager George Burley is currently undergoing treatment for cancer.

George said: “After feeling unwell earlier this year, I have recently received a diagnosis and I am taking positive action to fight the disease. It has been a difficult time, but I am feeling much brighter now. In fact, I am able to get to matches at Portman Road and I am enjoying watching the team playing back in the Premier League.”

The man who has been involved in more matches – 500 as a player and 413 as Manager – than anybody else in the Club’s history, continued: “We are grateful to the Club for the support they have shown me and my family and I would ask that everyone is respectful of our privacy at this time.”

Current Manager Kieran McKenna commented: “This club has had some brilliant managers and George is right up there as one of the very best.

“It has been a pleasure to get to know George since I arrived at Ipswich. He is a positive and optimistic character, and I know he will also take that attitude into the battle he now faces.

“We are all right behind him.”

Chairman Mark Ashton added: “Our thoughts are with George, his wife Jill and their family. It’s always great to see him here in the directors’ box on a matchday and we will do everything we can to support one of our all-time greats, uniquely as both player and Manager.”

Neither George nor the Club will be making any further comment at this stage.

He had a professional career spanning 21 years as a player, making 628 league appearances and earning 11 Scotland caps. His most successful spell came while at Ipswich Town making 394 senior appearances, and being part of the squad that won the FA Cup and UEFA Cup in 1978 and 1981 respectively.

Burley’s managerial career began in 1990 with Ayr United and has since spent spells at seven different clubs, including an eight-year spell back at Ipswich Town as manager, which included a promotion to the Premier League and guiding the club to a fifth place league finish at that level. On 24 January 2008 he was appointed manager of the Scotland national team. He was sacked on 16 November 2009, following a 3–0 defeat to Wales.

HIS CAREER:

*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Senior*
1973–1985 – Ipswich Town – 394 games (6 goals)
1985–1988 – Sunderland – 54 games (0 goals)
1988–1989 – Gillingham – 46 games (2 goals)
1989–1991 – Motherwell – 54 games (0 goals)
1991–1993 – Ayr United – 67 games (0 goals)
1993 – Falkirk – 1 game (0 goals)
1993–1994 – Motherwell – 5 games (0 goals)
1994 – Colchester United – 7 games (0 goals)
1994–1995 – Ipswich Town – 0 games (0 goals)
Total – 628 games (8 goals)

International*
1976–1977 – Scotland U21 – 5 games (0 goals)
1974–1975 – Scotland U23 – 2 games (0 goals)
1979–1982 – Scotland – 11 games (0 goals)

Managerial career
1991–1993 – Ayr United
1994 – Colchester United (P20 W8 D5 L7 W%40)
1994–2002 – Ipswich Town (P410 W185 D97 L128 W%45.1)
2003–2005 – Derby County (P107 W39 D25 L43 W%36.4)
2005 – Heart of Midlothian (P12 W9 D2 L1 W%75.0)
2005–2008 – Southampton (P109 W45 D25 L39 W%41.3)
2008–2009 – Scotland (P14 W3 D3 L8 W%21.4)
2009 – Scotland B (P1 W1 D0 L0 W%100.0)
2010–2011 – Crystal Palace (P26 W7 D5 L14 W%26.9)
2012 – Apollon Limassol (P2 W1 D0 L1 W%50.0)

HONOURS:

Player
Ipswich Town
FA Cup: 1977–78
UEFA Cup: 1980–81
Texaco Cup: 1972–73

Sunderland
Football League Third Division: 1987–88

Individual
Ipswich Town Player of the Year: 1976–77

Manager
Ayr United
Scottish Challenge Cup runner-up: 1990–91

Ipswich Town
Football League First Division play-offs: 2000

Individual
Premier League Manager of the Month: November 2000
Premier League Manager of the Year: 2000–01
LMA Premier League Manager of the Year: 2000–01
LMA Manager of the Year: 2000–01
Ipswich Town Hall of Fame: Inducted 2009
Scottish Premier League Manager of the Month: August 2005, September 2005

twitter users gave their reaction after a statement was issued by Ipswich and legend George Burley confirming his cancer diagnosis…

@ITFC_SLO: Wishing George all the best as he undergoes his treatment for cancer. A Club legend, both as a player and manager.

@Fulchy43: Get well soon George…

@ABitOfPork: Such horrible news. A hero to so many, let’s pray he pulls through.

@Felstedboy: I’m sad to hear that news. All the best to George in his fight against Cancer.

@harveytchevous: Wishing a speedy recovery George and that you get well soon 💙

@charliedriverr: Get well soon ledge 💙

@fmrtjltr2: Best of luck in your battle ahead George 💙🤍🚜

@officialadam81: Speedy recovery george you got this 🙏

@uppatowen1: 💙 Burley’s barmy army. Soundtrack of my youth. Get well soon legend

@louisf0424: Get well soon George 💙

@sdmonkeys: Get well soon!

@helskarth: All the best George, wishing you a speedy recovery. Heal well 💙

@jamieisablue: Get well soon George 💙

@followthetowen: You’ve got this, George 💙

@AlTaylorNZ: All the best for your cancer treatment GB. You gave us amazing memories as a player and a Manager

@Fulchaaa: Get well soon, George! 💙 you’re not alone on this journey.

@abbo17: Speedy recovery George – a true blues legend

@nathandhurst: Get well soon 💙🤍

@CormacMurphy5: All behind you George 💙

@JohnSlaterITFC: All the love in the world, gaffer.

@VoiceOf07401904: Get well soon, George

@1981TractorGirl: How very sad. F*(K cancer. All the best, George 🤞🏼🤞🏼

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