Former England captain Terry Butcher has expressed his support for his former rivals Kevin Keegan and Kenny Dalglish. Butcher, aged 67, reminisced about facing the two football icons during the 1980s and 1990s after they revealed their battles with cancer. The ex-Three Lions defender, who led England in Italia ’90, described Keegan and Dalglish as iconic figures in the sport.
“Cancer does not discriminate. Kevin, Kenny, and I had intense clashes back then; they were just as tough as I was in those days. They embody the spirit of winners and fighters, and I wish them a successful recovery,” said Butcher during a screening of a documentary about his life in London.
Fans also shared their admiration for Keegan, with one highlighting his achievements as the only British player to win the Ballon d’Or twice and praising his character. Another fan recalled Keegan’s playing style, expressing admiration for his skills and managerial approach.
Social media was flooded with well-wishes for Keegan, including a heartfelt message from Steven Gerrard to Sir Kenny Dalglish. Alan Shearer, whom Dalglish guided to the Premier League title with Blackburn in 1995, also voiced his support for the legendary football figure.
During the documentary screening of ‘Butcher: Invisible Wounds,’ Terry Butcher revealed the challenges he faced, including the tragic loss of his son Chris in 2017. Chris, their eldest son, served in the Royal Artillery and struggled with post-traumatic stress disorder after his military service. His untimely death at their home in east Suffolk ten years ago was attributed to heart complications exacerbated by drug use and PTSD from deployments in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Butcher extended his gratitude to ITV and combat2coffee, a charity founded by Nigel Seaman, a former member of the Royal Anglian Regiment who also battled PTSD. Seaman commended Butcher’s efforts in raising awareness and emphasized the positive impact of the documentary in aiding individuals dealing with similar challenges.
The documentary ‘Butcher: Invisible Wounds’ will air on ITV4 on Sunday, June 7, at 10 pm.