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.”
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