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Celtic mourn legend Burns

Celtic mourn legend Burns

Former Celtic manager and player Tommy Burns has died from skin cancer, the club has announced. He was 51.

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Comments

Mick Gaffney (Celtic fan) says...

I had the great opportunity of meeting Tommy on more than one ocassion. Through a mutual friend Pat Brennan who runs the Tommy Burns supporters club in Jersey I was at one of the functions organised by Pat at the Hotel De France. Tommy was the guest of honour and of course nothing was to much trouble for him. When I finally got my turn to shake the hand of Tommy it was like talking with someone I had known all my life. If thats how one chance meeting can make you feel then God knows what the people closest to him must be going through? He epitamised everything our great club stands for, he lived and breathed every kick of the ball when Celtic played. To Tommy Burns a very big part of our club, You will be sorely missed, my deepest condolences to all of his family. God bless Tommy, Rest in peace mate. Hail! Hail! Mick Gaffney

Posted 10:45 15th May 2008

Mick Gaffney (Celtic fan) says...

I had the gret opportunity of meeting Tommy on more than one ocassion. Through a mutual friend Pat Brennan who runs the Tommy Burns supporters club in Jersey I was at one of the functions organised by Pat at the Hotel De France. Tommy was the guest of honour and of course nothing was to much trouble for him. When I finally got my turn to shake the hand of Tommy it was like talking with someone I had known all my life. If thats how one chance meeting can make you feel then God knows what the people closest to him must be going through? He epitamised everything our great club stands for, he lived and breathed every kick of the ball when Celtic played. To Tommy Burns a very big part of our club, You will be sorely missed, my deepest condolences to all of his family. God bless Tommy, Rest in peace mate. Hail! Hail! Mick Gaffney

Posted 10:43 15th May 2008

Aileen Morgan says...

I am saddened and utterly shocked by the news today. Tommy Burns was and is the Celtic legend that i watched and admired as I grew up watching Celtic. I had the pleasure of meeting him once at parkhead and you honestly couldnt have met a nicer man. Thoughts and best wishes to his family and friends - the Celtic family are here for you all A True Celt through and through. Rest In Peace Tommy God Bless!!

Posted 10:42 15th May 2008

Brian Davidson (Celtic fan) says...

I first saw Tommy play when Celtic won the European Youth Cup in the early 1970s and he was a standout. Elegant and deft of touch he was an influencer who once destroyed Sporting Lisbon at Parkhead in a 5-0 rout! He remained loyal to his beliefs, his club and his City, despite opportunites to play an a world stage. A really great guy with no edge to him, a gentleman. Thanks Tommy. I am rarely emotional but am saddened by your passing. Rest in peace.

Posted 10:36 15th May 2008

William Jones (Reading fan) says...

His time at Reading may not have been successful but I always thought he treated the fans with respect. At a friendly at Woking as I walked past with my family, he came forward for a quick chat. Not many managers would do that but Tommy was clearly a man of the people. RIP Tommy

Posted 10:32 15th May 2008

Scottish Football fan says...

Tommy Burns is a modern day hero for what he's done for Scottish football. A great man who never cared for the hatred between the old firm and just wanted to see good football being played. Incidentally, I'm not a Celtic fan but I will shed a tear at Tommys passing, just months after I did for Phil O'Donnell. A massive loss, Scottish Football will never be the same again.

Posted 10:30 15th May 2008

Sheila Drysdale (Celtic fan) says...

The news shocked me. I started follwing Celtic when Tommy was the artist on the left side of the pitch. There must be something about redheads for me: he quickly became my favourite player, taking over from Jimmy Johnstone, my previous. Lovely to hear all that is being said about him. I hope his family are immensely proud, as well as obviously sad. Thinking of them with love.

Posted 10:30 15th May 2008

Gillian Nuttall (Oldham Athletic fan) says...

I have 2 friends who are both suffering the same illness and earlier this year I launched a fund raising initiative for the Christie Hospital www.factor50.org.uk I was in contact with Tommy and he had said that he would do whatever he could to help me with my charity work. The warmth that came from the correspondence was evident, what a truly lovely man. I wish I had had the opportunity to get to know him properly. I was so so sad when I heard that he had passed away, albeit it is an end to what is enormous suffering from a shocking illness. May he rest in true peace and my thoughts and prayers go to his wife and children.

Posted 10:15 15th May 2008

Jonny Paterson (Celtic fan) says...

Devastated. He epitomized everything that is good about football in Glasgow and in Scotland. His passing marks the end of what has been a devastating year for football in our country with Phil O'Donnell earlier this year and all the rubbish that has been going on with fixtures, referees and Gretna. I agree - name the training ground at Lennoxtown after him, that was after all where he was a King of Kings and will be missed by everyone in our country. RIP Tommy - tears will be shed for you. xxxxx

Posted 10:14 15th May 2008

Chris Kelly (Falkirk fan) says...

Tommy Burns a true gentleman and legend for both club and country. You will be sorely missed our thoughts are with the family at this time. The league must be won now in his memory, and a long lasting tribute in his name must be the renaming of Lennoxtown training facility. God Bless you Tommy Burns RIP.

Posted 10:09 15th May 2008

Carl Boatwright (West Ham United fan) says...

Celtic are my second love in football,ive been to two old firm games back in the nineties and about 6 yrs ago i went to a pre-season friendly at parkhead between Celtic and West Ham. I had a photo taken with Tommy in my West Ham shirt out side the main entrance to the stadium.I found Tommy to be a lovely fella and obviously him being a Celtic legend,it just confirmed every thing i thought he would be. RIP TOMMY X CELTIC/WHUFC X

Posted 10:07 15th May 2008

Michael Canni (Celtic fan) says...

The good are always taken early, Tommy was gentleman, who Loved the game of Football, the vision he had for Celtic was to be the ultimate footballing club, sadly he was never given the opportunity to fulfill his dream. You will be remembered, you will be missed, but most of all you will be loved by all. God has inherited a man with true virtue. It will be lonely around Pardise as he has been taken away. Rest In Peace Tommy God Bless

Posted 10:03 15th May 2008

Patricia O'neill says...

Tommy Burns was a childhood hero of mine. I have always respected him not just because of his footballing career but because of the time he spent visiting sick children in hospital. He took time out of his own life to brighten up the lives of others. My thoughts are with his wife and family. God Bless Tommy Burns.

Posted 10:01 15th May 2008

Gavin Dullaghan says...

The Celtic family has lost another jewel. Rest in peace Tommy.

Posted 09:59 15th May 2008

Rebecca Macgregor says...

When I was about seven years old my dad took me to see Celtic and Partic Thistle playing in a competition that I think was then called the 'Glasgow Cup'. We were right beside the tunnel and when the teams were going in at half time, Tommy Burns threw the ball to me. I caught it and threw it back. Ever since then Tommy has been a hero of mine.

Posted 09:58 15th May 2008

Bryan Dirkie (Celtic fan) says...

i couldnt believe what i was reading when sky sports news flashed the headline that tommy had passed away.it took me a good 10 minutes to compose myself to go on with my normal day.Tommy burns was one of my favourite players growing up.He was an absolute legend as a celtic player,he was a very unlucky celtic manager,but most of all,tommy burns was a true gentleman.He was a model pro in everything he was invloved in,and i for one will greatly miss my hero,as will millions of celtic fans all over the world.Thankyou for your memories Tommy,your family are in my prayers.

Posted 09:56 15th May 2008

Barry Richmond (killie fan) says...

Our heartfelt condolences go to the family and friends of Tommy Burns. While 'TB' as he was affectionately known, will always be considered to be a 'Celtic Man' he undoubtedly had Killie close to his heart and he will live on in the memory of generation of Killie fans as one of the best players ever to have worn the stripes. Rest in peace Tommy.

Posted 09:43 15th May 2008

Robert Donnelly (Celtic fan) says...

i am shocked to hear that my idol growing up watching celtic has passed away. i had the priveldge to meet him a few years back and told how much he ment to me as a child watching celtic. like every other supporter my age, we all new how much he loved the club and for that i will be eternally gratefull and thankfull for that. "tommy you are a gentleman and you will be sadly missed god bless tommy and his family " hail hail

Posted 09:41 15th May 2008

Tom Ritchie (Rangers fan) says...

Sad news hearing of Tommy Burns' death. Football becomes unimportant when a decent guy like Tommy passes on. He was Celtic through and through and my condolences go to his family and colleagues. I would imagine many Rangers fans will feel saddened today.

Posted 09:41 15th May 2008

Adnan Iqbal (Celtic fan) says...

Just woke up to the sad news. My thoughts are with Tommy's wife and family at this sad time. A great man who will be deeply missed.

Posted 09:20 15th May 2008

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