Ipswich announce club legend George Burley, 68, is receiving treatment for cancer (original) (raw)

Published: 07:41 EST, 10 September 2024 | Updated: 08:42 EST, 10 September 2024

Ipswich Town have revealed that former player and manager George Burely is currently receiving treatment for cancer.

Burley, who also played for the likes of Gillingham and Sunderland in his career, had two spells at Ipswich as a player, with the first lasting for 13 years and reaching the 500 appearance mark.

He joined as an apprentince in 1972, making his senior debut in 1973 and going onto become a staplepiece of the club for the next decade.

Aged 29, he left for Sunderland, playing for six other sides before returning to Ipswich in 1994 for a season prior to retirement.

Ipswich released a club statement on Tuesday announcing that the now-68-year-old is receiving treatment, with Burley himself also releasing a statement.

Ipswich have announced that club legend George Burley is currently receiving treatment for cancer

The 68-year-old both played for and managed Ipswich, making a total of 500 appearances

Burley, pictured alongside wife Jill in 2008, spoke about his treatment in a club statement

'After feeling unwell earlier this year, I have recently received a diagnosis and I am taking positive action to fight the disease,' he said. '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.'

Burley, who was capped 11 times by Scotland, also took charge of Ipswich for 413 games between 1994 and 2002 following his retirement from playing.

He also managed the likes of Colchester, Derby and Southampton, as well as Scotland.

He said that he is 'able to get to matches at Portman Road and enjoying watching the team playing back in the Premier League'

Burley was also capped 11 times by Scotland and was manager of his country after leading Ipswich

Current Town manager Kieran McKenna told the club website: '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.'