Blues legend George Burley is undergoing treatment for cancer, the club has announced.

Right-back Burley was a key man in Sir Bobby Robson’s team in the 1970s and early 1980s before going on to manage the Blues between 1994 and 2002, taking them to promotion at Wembley in 2000 and then to fifth in the Premier League and back into Europe the following season.

The 68-year-old, who also played for and managed Scotland, has been involved in more Town matches than anyone else, 500 as a player and 413 as a manager.

“After feeling unwell earlier this year, I have recently received a diagnosis and I am taking positive action to fight the disease,” Burley 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.”

He added: “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 Blues boss Kieran McKenna said: “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 and CEO 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.”

In addition to his time with Town, Burley also played for Sunderland, Gillingham, Motherwell, Ayr United, Falkirk and Colchester United, having won 11 full Scotland caps while with the Blues.

He began his management career while still a player at Ayr United, then had a spell at Motherwell as a player-coach before taking charge at Colchester in the summer of 1994, an impressive start at Layer Road leading to his return to Portman Road.

He later had spells in charge at Derby, Hearts, Southampton, Scotland, Crystal Palace and in Cyprus with Apollon Limassol.

A new book, All to Play For, celebrating Burley’s Town management career is set for publication in November.

Photo: Action Images

itfchorry added 16:41 - Sep 10 We are all behind you George
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Broadbent23 added 16:46 - Sep 10 Legend. Get well soon.
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MK1 added 18:05 - Sep 10 I'm currently on holiday, but had to post my best wishes to the great man. The word legend is used far too frequently for my liking, but in George's case it certainly rings true, A fantastic servant as a player during one of our most successful periods and of course a truly great manager of our beloved club. Wishing you all the very, very best of wishes George and you will remain in my thoughts.

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Flight_of_Shefki added 18:09 - Sep 10 I hate the cancer word so much. Swift recovery George, we're all behind you.
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backwaywhen added 18:32 - Sep 10 Stay strong George and always keep the faith , once a blue always a blue ……..
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TubbyToast added 19:54 - Sep 10 So sad to hear this. It is the likes of George, Terry Butcher, Mick Mills etc. who have given their life to ITFC in various forms - not like the here today, gone tomorrow money grabbers whether they be players or staff.
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Pendejo added 20:17 - Sep 10 Best wishes George
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dusth added 20:54 - Sep 10 George, I wish you all the very best. I want to see you in that directors box for many years to come and i'm sure I will. Knowing about the the All Time Ipswich Greats are what propels this club forwards and I was lucky to see you as a young 'un like me when you came down from Scotland.
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Steve_ITFC_Sweden added 08:36 - Sep 11 George, you have been so much a part of us for so many years in many different roles. The word "legend" is bandied about often, but in your case, it is 100% merited. In fact, you have always been top of my "legends" list because of your commitment to the club: a real gentleman and a true and loyal Blue. I wish you all the best for your recovery and hope to see you for a long time to come in and around ITFC.

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ibisblue added 16:27 - Sep 12 Wishing well also from Bangalore, India I remembe very well when George had recently first played in the first team, and my Grandad took me to my third ever game at Portman Road - and said to me "I like this lad - he's gonna be good" and tbh I wasnt convinced at the time - but I went on to fully agree with him of course!! He knew! He sadly passed on in 1976, but those words stayed with me. He didnt usually make any such comments.

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BurleysGloryDays added 20:54 - Sep 12 You got this, George
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