Burley feeling 'very lucky' after cancer all-clear

Ipswich Town legend George Burley says he is a "very lucky person" after getting the all-clear following his cancer diagnosis.

The former Scotland manager issued a statement in September through his former Suffolk club to announce he had an undisclosed form of the disease.

Burley, 68, played for Ipswich from 1973 to 1985, making more than 500 appearances before managing the side between 1994 and 2002.

Speaking to BBC Radio Suffolk, Burley said: "It's been a long road - it didn't happen overnight."

The former defender, who also managed Derby, Southampton and Crystal Palace, said he underwent six cycles of chemotherapy and an operation which left him in hospital for three weeks.

"It started almost a year ago where I was having symptoms and wasn't feeling great," he said.

"It was great to eventually come through it all - I've been very, very lucky with the amount of support I've had.

"My family's been unbelievable... and I've been very well looked after."

The Ipswich stalwart said he had to persevere with getting diagnosed after not feeling well for several months.

Burley, who recently co-wrote a book about his time at Ipswich Town FC, said the disease had brought him closer together with his family and friends.

He also said a severe injury he battled as a young player helped him cope with his concerns and fears for the future after being told he had cancer.

"Eventually, when I did get diagnosed, I thought I've got to get on with it," said Burley.

"The people around you, you've got to make sure you're not moping around [and] keep their chins up.

"It's not easy because initially you don't want to speak much about it, but once you grow into it, people around you know you're accepting the fact - and [you] get on with life as normal as possible."

Burley said he had tried to go the gym, play golf and had managed to attend the Portman Road home games during his treatment.

He said he was "lucky" his body had responded to treatment; felt his previous good fitness levels had helped him make a good recovery and praised the consistent help of his family as a "blessing".

With regards to looking to the future, Burley said: "I'm enjoying the sunshine, going out for a meal during the day and playing a bit of golf.

"I'm just taking it one day at a time and looking forward to the team having a good season next season and getting back into the Premiership."

The only blip on the horizon, Burley joked, was not being able to get tickets to Ed Sheeran's run of summer gigs at the ground despite his daughter's best efforts.

"I don't live that far away from the football club, so I can sit out in the garden to listen to him," he laughed.

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