Former Scotland manager George Burley, 68, diagnosed with cancer as well-wishers back legend
FORMER Scotland manager and Ipswich Town legend George Burley has been diagnosed with cancer.
The 68-year-old, originally from Cumnock in Ayrshire, has vowed to tackle the disease head-on after learning of his diagnosis.
Burley has been involved in more matches than anybody else in Ipswich’s history as both player and manager.
He guided them to the Premier League in 2000 and after successful later spells with Hearts and Southampton, he was given the Scotland job in 2008.
Hearts were in top form when Burley was surprisingly sacked after just 12 games in charge at Tynecastle.
The Jambos were top of the league after ten matches, having won eight of them, including a 4-0 derby victory over Hibs.
Behind the scenes however he had a fractious relationship with the controversial Vladimir Romanov and when the latter made a move to take private control of Hearts, Burley left the club a day later.
A statement from Portman Road read: “Ipswich Town Football Club can confirm that legendary former player and manager George Burley is currently undergoing treatment for cancer.
“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.”
Burley himself 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.”
“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.”
Ipswich boss Kieran McKenna added: “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.”
A statement from the SFA read: “Wishing our former Men’s National Team manager George Burley well, as he begins treatment for cancer.”
And a Hearts social media post said: “The thoughts and best wishes of everyone at Hearts is with our former manager, George Burley, as he undergoes treatment for cancer.”
Another of Burley’s former clubs, Derby, wished him well in a statement.
It read: “Sending the club’s best wishes to our former manager George Burley, who is currently undergoing treatment for cancer.
“You have the full support of everyone at Derby County, George.”
George Burley factfile
Born: June 3, 1956 in Cumnock, Scotland.
Youth Career: Began his football journey with Ayr United’s youth team.
Ipswich Town: Joined Ipswich Town in 1972, making his debut at 17.
Long Tenure: Spent 12 years at Ipswich Town, amassing over 400 appearances.
FA Cup Victory: Part of the Ipswich team that won the FA Cup in 1978.
UEFA Cup Triumph: Key player in Ipswich’s UEFA Cup win in 1981.
Scotland Caps: Earned 11 caps for the Scottish national team.
Sunderland: Transferred to Sunderland in 1985.
Gillingham: Played for Gillingham from 1988 to 1989.
Motherwell: Stint with Motherwell from 1989 -1991.
Colchester United: Ended his playing career at Colchester United in 1994.
Transition to Management: Started managerial career with Ayr United in 1991.
Ipswich Town Manager: Returned to Ipswich Town as manager in 1994.
Promotion to Premier League: Guided Ipswich to the Premier League in 2000.
Manager of the Year: Awarded Premier League Manager of the Year in 2001.
Derby County: Managed Derby County from 2003 to 2005.
Hearts: Took charge of Hearts in 2005 and topped the league after ten games before shock dismissal.
Southampton: Managed Southampton from 2008 to 2009.
Scotland National Team: Appointed Scotland manager in 2008, a role he held until 2009.
Crystal Palace: Managed London club from 2010 to 2011.
Foreign adventure: In 2012 he took charge of Cypriot side Apollon Limassol but was sacked after just two games.
As a player, Burley played for Ipswich for 12 years before joining Sunderland in 1985.
With the Tractor Boys he won the FA Cup in 1979 and the Uefa Cup in 1981.
He then turned out for GIllingham, Motherwell, Ayr United, Falkirk and Colchester United before hanging up his boots.
Burley won 11 Scotland caps between 1979 and 1982 as a defender.
He stepped into coaching with Ayr as player-manager and then had similar roles at Motherwell and Colchester.
It was then he returned to Portman Road and would go on to become one of the most successful managers in their history, being named Premier League Manager of the Year in his debut season after taking Ipswich to the top flight, leading them to a fifth-placed finish.
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