Ipswich Town: George Burley undergoing treatment for cancer

The 68-year-old has been involved in more matches than anyone in the club's history - 500 as a player and 413 as a manager.

A right-back, he was a key man during an era in which the Blues won the FA Cup (1978) and UEFA Cup (1981). The Scot then returned to lead the team to a Championship Play-Off Final win in 2000 at Wembley and a subsequent fifth-place finish in the Premier League.

In a statement released by the club, he said: "After feeling unwell earlier this year, I have recently received a diagnosis and I am taking positive action to fight the disease.

"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."

George Burley celebrates at Wembley in 2000 after leading Ipswich Town back into the Premier League with a Play-Off Final win against Barnsley. (Image: PROFESSIONAL SPORT)

Current Town manager 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."

Ipswich 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 a player and manager."

The statement adds that neither George or the club will be making any further comment at this stage. 

George Burley (right) celebrates at Wembley in 1978 after Ipswich Town's FA Cup Final victory against Arsenal. (Image: PROFESSIONAL SPORT)