Former Ipswich Town manager George Burley has described the club's former forward Trevor Whymark as a "nice fellow" and "somebody you could trust with your life" following his death aged 74.

Burley was a team mate of Whymark during the successful 1970s era when the club was managed by Sir Bobby Robson and led tributes to the Diss-born player, who scored 104 goals in 335 games for the Tractor Boys.

He said Whymark was in the first team squad when he arrived at Portman Road as a 15-year-old, but he got to know him more when he made his first team debut in 1973.

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Former Ipswich Town manager George Burley, pictured during his managerial days, described Trevor Whymark as someone you could trust with your lifeFormer Ipswich Town manager George Burley, pictured during his managerial days, described Trevor Whymark as someone you could trust with your life (Image: Archant) He added: "He was a fantastic player, a centre forward who was one of the best headers of a ball, but he was also great at making chances for other players and bringing other players into the game."

He reflected on how Whymark struck up a successful partnership with fellow striker David Johnson during a halcyon period in the club's history, which saw many of his goals come in European competitions.

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"He was very unassuming and somebody you would always trust on and off the pitch. He was not a flamboyant fellow," the former right back added.

Burley said he went to visit Whymark at a mobile home he owned and met his wife, adding that he would be "sadly missed".

Trevor Whymark attended a fundraiser for the Alzheimer's Society at Harlow Lawn Tennis Club. He is pictured with his family, including son Craig, centre, the tournament organiser dressed as his alter ego, drag queen Fanny GaloreTrevor Whymark attended a fundraiser for the Alzheimer's Society at Harlow Lawn Tennis Club. He is pictured with his family, including son Craig, centre, the tournament organiser dressed as his alter ego, drag queen Fanny Galore (Image: Hannah Blackburn) The club has also paid tribute to its former player on its website, describing him as "one of the real giants of Bobby Robson's first great side of the 1970s".

"With 104 goals from his 335 appearances for the Blues, Trevor Whymark sits sixth on the all-time list of goalscorers and will forever remain one of the great names of this football club," the tribute added.

In September 2023, this newspaper reported how Whymark's son Craig had organised a tennis tournament at Harlow Lawn Tennis Club in Essex to raise money for charity the Alzheimer's Society as his father was living with Alzheimer's.

His family believed his ability as one of the finest headers of a football could have been a factor in the onset of the disease, which destroys memory and thinking skills.

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