England icon Terry Butcher has reached out to former rivals Kevin Keegan and Kenny Dalglish following their respective cancer diagnoses. The 67-year-old, who captained the Three Lions at the 1990 World Cup, recalled the intense clashes they shared on the pitch during the 1980s and 1990s.
Butcher's Heartfelt Tribute
Speaking at the London premiere of his new documentary, Butcher said: "They are two icons of the game. Cancer can affect anyone. Kevin, Kenny, and I had some real battles over the years; they could be as hard as I was in those days. They are winners and fighters, and I hope they come out the other side."
Fan Outpouring of Support
Fans have also rallied behind the two legends. One supporter wrote of Keegan: "The only British player to win the Ballon d'Or twice and a legend at every club. He has always come across as a genuine and lovely guy." Another added: "An absolute hero of mine. An incredible player—try to find a video of his disallowed volley for Southampton. He would be worth £150m nowadays."
Regarding Dalglish, messages poured in from football figures. Steven Gerrard posted: "Sending our love Sir Kenny," while Alan Shearer, whom Dalglish managed to the Premier League title at Blackburn in 1995, wrote: "Everyone is with you Kenny."
Butcher's Own Battle with Trauma
Butcher's documentary, Butcher: Invisible Wounds, delves into his life and the tragic loss of his son Chris in 2017. Chris, a former soldier, served in Afghanistan and Iraq and struggled with PTSD. An inquest ruled his death as an abnormal enlargement of the heart combined with drugs against a background of PTSD, with the coroner stating he "became a victim of war."
Butcher thanked ITV and the charity combat2coffee, whose founder Nigel Seaman also suffered PTSD. Nigel noted that Butcher's work is "helping to save lives."
Butcher: Invisible Wounds airs on ITV4 on Sunday, June 7, at 10pm. More information at www.combat2coffee.co.uk.
