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 in the 1980s and 1990s after they revealed their battles with cancer. The ex-Three Lions defender, who led England in Italia ’90, praised Keegan and Dalglish as game icons, stating, “They are two legends of the sport.”
Discussing the challenges faced by the trio, Butcher acknowledged the intense competition they shared on the field, highlighting their resilience and competitive spirit. He conveyed his well wishes for their recovery, emphasizing their strength as winners and fighters. Terry paid homage to Keegan and Dalglish during the premiere of a documentary chronicling his life in London.
Fans also showered Keegan with praise, citing his achievements as a double Ballon d’Or winner and a revered figure at every club he represented. They lauded his playing style and managerial prowess, expressing admiration for his impact on the game.
In a show of solidarity, former Liverpool player Steven Gerrard extended his love to Sir Kenny Dalglish, while Alan Shearer, whom Dalglish guided to a Premier League title with Blackburn in 1995, voiced his support for the legendary figure.
Terry Butcher, during a screening of ‘Butcher: Invisible Wounds,’ a poignant documentary about his personal journey and the tragic loss of his son Chris in 2017, shared his experiences of coping with post-traumatic stress disorder following his military service in Afghanistan. The documentary sheds light on Chris’ struggles after serving in the Royal Artillery and his untimely passing at their residence in East Suffolk a decade ago.
An investigation into Chris Butcher’s death revealed a fatal combination of heart enlargement, drug effects, and underlying PTSD, attributing his tragic fate to the toll of his military deployments in Iraq and Afghanistan. Terry expressed gratitude to ITV and the combat2coffee charity, founded by Nigel Seaman, a fellow PTSD survivor, for their support and recognition of the documentary’s impact in raising awareness and aiding those in need.
*Butcher: Invisible Wounds will air on ITV4 on Sunday, June 7, at 10pm. Visit www.combat2coffee.co.uk for more information.