Sir Alf Ramsey and Sir Bobby Robson were the only 2 other managers to take Ipswich into European competition and whilst you cannot compare him 2 either of those 2 managers he is only manager to have changed the name of this fanzine to these are the days.

Good luck George.

Not even vaguely interested in what others think of George!

For me, he still stands as a manager who very genuinely cared about our club - who else lately has demonstrated THAT?

I am old enough to remember him as a playing LEGEND and the years of managership, whilst far from perfect, nonetheless contained passion, commitment, a sense of purpose and a hope that we were actually capable of beating other teams and beating them well.

So, I wish you all the best George and hope that you have a 'tremendous' time ('tremendous' always seemed to be his favourite word in post-match interviews - it always made me smile!)

You gave us colourful days - since you it has been pretty beige around here... :(

I have to agree with all you say thechangingman, maybe my pointing out of the last few years of Burley's reign were darkened by his over spending on some poor players, which is partly a cause of the debts the club accumulated, my point being I don't think he would be the man to take over here again but I will never forget the good stuff he did, like beating Liverpool 1-0 in the infamous 2000-01 season and being up there pushing for a Champions League place.
I should have also put in my first post good luck, as I do genuinely hope he succeeds and enjoys his time over there.

I agree about a statue of George. He took us into Europe and turned our Tractor Boys into giant killers once again. 5th in the premiership for heavens sake! What a legend. It was great to able to stick two fingers up to everyone who thought that we would be immediately relegated. We had a cracking team in all areas, but especially down the left wing - going forward we were unstoppable.

I love George.

Lets get him a statue.

I would love to know why it all went wrong though. You know - what really happened? - especially with Marcus Stewart and someones wife. I wonder if all that was true?

All the best George.
Just to add to the posts already on here, i know from a contact of mine that he'd no money to spend at Palace and living up here In Scotland I know the press and some of the prayers turned against him from the beginning- he wasn't given a chance.
Re our 2001-2 relegation season, in addition to all the reasons already posted I've heard Matt Holland say the squad was too small to cope with both European football and PL.
Finally, just a thought, can anyone imagine a manager these days- anywhere- being allowed 3 near misses at play offs? Such changed days and credit to Sheepshanks and board at least for that decision to keep George.

@bury - sorry mate looks like your getting slated on this one, ok he was the manager when 'things' were going rather pear shaped on and off the field, I believe Romeo Zondervan was our European scout and he was the one responsible for players like Serini and George but as a manager even when we missed the play-offs in 2002-2003 me and my friends felt he was harshy treated when it came to his sacking, for years before that we were consistently playing good passing football with commitment with consistency in getting in the top six towards the late 90's and even that forementioned year was certainly no worse then what we are experiencing at the moment (I know hindsight is a wonderful thing)...BUT if given a choice of him or PJ I know what I'd do.

Apologise to you mate as you have mentioned (the slating) earlier...

Timmy, yes I'm getting a pasting on this one and maybe I deserved it for opening my big mouth on a subject which I should know better, would have gotten a backlash. I guess what I was saying was that a lot of money was wasted, in fact I believe that Sereni (who was actually a decent keeper) was brought in when Marshall got injured and Finidi George certainly seemed worth the price tag on paper, it was the signings of players like Bent and Le Pen , over £4m down the drain (a bit like nowadays) and money Ipswich simply shouldn't waste.
In hindsight, the top 5 finish was one of the worst things that happened, excellent at the time but now I'd rather have taken a 17th place finish and a slow building process putting together a side that could hold its own in the Prem for years to come, but just like PJ has just done a quick fix was carried out (so we had a big enough squad) the balance was upset and relegation ensued. Sheepys gamble on us staying there and re-building stands was far more risky than George's signings and as I had said he has to be ultimately responsible.
Unwise comments about a club legend on my behalf and for that I will ultimately hold my hands up and say my comments were mis-judged.

All you Burley knockers -hang your heads in SHAME - thankfully many others see the bigger picture of this man, and have a much more balanced view.
GEORGE BURLEY - IPSWICH LEGEND - and always will be, real supporters would never think otherwise.

TRUE BLUE PEDIGREE - unlike some I could mention.

buryblue77 - apology accepted - credit to you for that.

h32, thanks. I was starting to think that my comments about George's downfall would make more unpopular on here than a gloating Norwich fan.
As you say, true blue pedigree, something you're never going to get from someone with no connections to the club.
on reflection of my comments he was probably sacked too soon, not given a chance to get going after relegation but did Sheepshanks want a fall guy for his mistakes? Although Joe did quite well with no money. Sacking Jim, another true blue was probably a mistake and was only done for a big name.
Not only do I owe the apology to to the fans on here I've insulted, but to George himself.
What a plonker!

Good luck George..cannot believe that there are still some muppets who support this club still wanting to have a dig!? - pathetic..probably the same idiots who thought it was clever to hound Magilton out.

I for one would welcome you back here in a heartbeat.

Lightningboy, I must be the only muppet you're referring to as I can't see anybody else having had a dig at George and I've since held my hands up and apologised for my error, feel quite embarrassed about it, however I was not one who wanted Magilton out. In fact I think that's been our downfall, he was only pushed out because a superstar name was required to match the corporate project that Ipswich became.
I'm unsure if he would be successful second time around, but if you remember he took 5 years to get promotion, I suspect some would get on his back straight away if it took a little time because they would expect an immediate comparison to the 2000-01 season.

Best of luck George - your career record deserves better than some of the treatment you have received in management.
Thanks for all the wonderfful memories I have of you as a player and for giving ITFC fans hope again when you took us to the PL and Europe.

good luck gb

burley is a top dude....

Legend! No discussion needed.