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PRIME MINISTER PAYS TRIBUTE TO TOMMY BURNS
Prime Minister Gordon Brown has paid tribute to Celtic Legend Tommy Burns, who died earlier today at the age of 51.
Tommy, a former Celtic player, former Celtic Manager and the Head of Celtic's Youth Academy and also Celtic first team coach, was diagnosed with Malignant Melanoma in 2006, finally losing his battle with the skin cancer earlier today.
Prime Minister Gordon Brown paid tribute to Tommy: “His death robs Scottish football of one of its most inspirational figures of modern times and one of the nicest people in football.”
Gordon Brown continued: “He will go down as one of the all-time great players for Glasgow Celtic. His belief in good football shone through in his time as Celtic Manager, as well as in his service for Scotland and Kilmarnock.”
Gordon Brown added: “But perhaps most of all it was his passion and love for his family and for life itself that made Tommy so inspiring.”
Meanwhile, Scotland's First Minister Alex Salmond also paid tribute to Tommy Burns.
Alex Salmond said: “Tommy Burns was an outstanding servant for Celtic and Scotland.
Alex Salmond continued: “He always answered the call of Club and country and will be hugely missed throughout the world of football and beyond. The grit and determination he displayed as a player and coach were very much in evidence during his brave battle against cancer.”
Alex Salmond added: “Our condolences go out to Tommy's family and friends and our thoughts are with them.”
Celtic Football Club have announced the funeral arrangements for Tommy Burns.
The Celtic website read:
“Tommy Burns Funeral Arrangements
The funeral of Tommy Burns will take place on Tuesday, May 20, 2008 at St. Mary's Church, Abercromby Street, Calton, Glasgow.
The Requiem Mass will begin at 12.15pm.
St. Mary's is a parish which Tommy was extremely close to personally. St. Mary's Church Hall was also the birthplace of Celtic Football Club, when in November 1887, Brother Walfrid along with others discussed the establishment of a football club to feed the poor in the East End of Glasgow.
Unfortunately, due to restrictions on seating at the church, access to the service will be predominantly for family, friends and club representatives and there will only be very limited public access.
Following the Requiem Mass, the funeral cortege will pass by the Main Stand at Celtic Park where supporters will have the opportunity to pay their respects to Tommy Burns.”
Finally, the Club have announced that, following Tommy Burns' death, the Player Of The Year event, which was scheduled for Sunday night at the Hilton Hotel in Glasgow, will be rescheduled to Wednesday 16th July.
The Celtic website read:
“Player Of The Year Event On Hold
THE club have taken the decision to postpone this Sunday's Player of the Year event, which was scheduled to take place in the Hilton Hotel in Glasgow, following the sad death of Tommy Burns.
The re-arranged date will be Wednesday July, 16, 2008. The venue and start time remains unchanged.
If you have a ticket to the sell-out event and are not able to attend on the re-scheduled date in July please contact Laura Williams at Celtic Hospitality on 0871 226 1888.”
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