Posted February 19, 201411 yr Apologies if already posted. Get well soon, Ray. A fine player. One of our greatest. http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2562351/Ray-Wilkins-says-suffering-bowel-disease-Charles-Sale.html#ixzz2tj3PMnxl Ray Wilkins, sacked as assistant manager by Fulham this week, has revealed he is suffering from the same debilitating illness as Manchester United midfielder Darren Fletcher. Former Manchester United and Chelsea star Wilkins, 57, has been fighting the chronic bowel disease ulcerative colitis since 1990 along with periodic bouts of depression. Wilkins has decided to reveal his medical condition in order to save his career in football management and rebut drinking allegations. +7 Revealing all: Ray Wilkins revealed he is fighting the chronic bowel disease ulcerative colitis Claims were made from inside Fulham that Wilkins was the worse for wear in the dug-out for the 3-2 home defeat by Liverpool last Wednesday — a result that led to manager Rene Meulensteen and his back-room staff’s dismissal. Wilkins explained that his medical condition can give him the ‘woozy’ appearance of being drunk. ‘I need to control the ulcerative colitis with strict medication, which I had not done before the Liverpool game,’ he said. ‘That is the reason I didn’t return to the dug-out after half-time as I needed to be close to a toilet. +7 Keeping quiet: Wilkins said he did not tell Rene Meulensteen about his illness that make him appear 'woozy' ‘Unfortunately I can look the worse for wear but it is nothing to do with drink. I did have verbals with Brendan Rodgers, but it was nothing. ‘I was face to face with (Fulham) chief executive Alistair Mackintosh and the owner Mr Khan straight before the game. And if I had been unable to carry out my duties, they had the right to sack me on the spot. I most certainly hadn’t been drinking on the train before the match.’ A clearly agitated Wilkins was involved in a touchline row with Liverpool boss Rodgers at half-time. And Fulham sources suggested that Wilkins had arrived at Craven Cottage not in the best condition having earlier travelled to and from Birmingham by train to watch Fulham Under 21s play Aston Villa.
February 19, 201411 yr Poor old Ray, My Boss has just been diganosed with this and its a terribly debilitating condition....All the best Butch !
February 20, 201411 yr I hope Wilko manages to control it. I'm a big fan of his and wish him all the best.
February 20, 201411 yr I always think of lass as meaning a pre-adult female - like lad is a boy-child. But I know grown men go out with the lads. And in Yorkshire lass is probably just any female. I think we may be overthinking this - shall I say, "when I was a young girl, Butch was my favouritie player (and probably not only for his footballing skills!)"
February 20, 201411 yr All the best to Butch, great player and likeable bloke who to this day is our only undefeated manager.
February 20, 201411 yr One of the better assistant managers we've had in my view. I'm too young to have seen him play but I've always liked Ray. Wishing him well.
February 21, 201411 yr I think we may be overthinking this - shall I say, "when I was a young girl, Butch was my favouritie player (and probably not only for his footballing skills!)" Same here! Good on him for being brave enough to go public with his illness, and I hope that he is able to overcome this and get a job back in football before too long.
February 22, 201411 yr When Wilkins was appointed I have to admit I was in the camp who thought it was little more than a PR stunt, but after reading what the players said about him through the years ans his unwavering loyalty in the media since, I can't help but have a lot of respect for him.
February 22, 201411 yr http://www.theguardian.com/football/2014/feb/21/ray-wilkins-reveals-treatment-depression
February 22, 201411 yr Poor butch, hope he gets well soon. Need him back on TV to level things up a bit.
February 22, 201411 yr Ray 'Butch' Wilkins has always struck me as being a thoroughly decent bloke and a fine footballer. Local born lad as well ( Hillingdon, West London if I am not mistaken ). I wish him the very best for the future.
September 3, 201410 yr Butch has been appointed manager of the Jordanian national team: http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/29046696
