| Eddie delivered a personal message to “Luggy” after the Plymouth Argyle manager yesterday revealed he has been suffering from a mild form of Parkinson’s Disease for the past eight years.
United supporters’ groups are set to discuss ways they can raise money for the Parkinson’s Disease Society in honour of one of the greatest players in the club’s history.
Saturday’s friendly between Plymouth and United at Home Park will give the travelling supporters the chance to show Sturrock they are right behind him.
A spokesman for United said, “Paul’s illness came as a great surprise to us. We were in his company recently for the 25th anniversary celebrations (1983 league title win) and it was typical of the man that he never said a word.
“We’d like to extend our best wishes and support to Paul, even though he’s said publicly he doesn’t want sympathy. United has played a large part in Paul’s life and he’s been a great servant to the club. Chairman Eddie Thompson is sending Paul a personal message this morning and we’ll also see Paul on Saturday at Plymouth to pass on our best wishes.”
Meanwhile, United boss Craig Levein spoke of his shock at hearing of Sturrock’s condition.
“I’ve met Paul a few times recently and there didn’t seem to be anything wrong. But, typically, he says he’s just going to get on with it. He obviously has a fondness for Dundee United and we all wish him well.
“I’ll be having a few words with him when we go down there for a friendly on Saturday.”
Those thoughts were echoed over the road at Dens, where, for years, Sturrock was a thorn in the flesh.
“I played against Paul and he was an exceptional opponent,” said chief executive Dave MacKinnon.
“He’s the same age as me and it’s always a real shock when you hear of something like this. I know a little bit about the illness and I believe Paul has said it’s not severe.
“Hopefully, it will continue to be like that and everybody connected with Dundee Football Club sends their best wishes.”
Sturrock managed St Johnstone earlier in his career, taking them into the Premier League, and their managing director Stewart Duff said, “Everyone at McDiarmid Park is very surprised and shocked to hear the news of Paul’s illness.
“I spoke to Paul a few months ago and he seemed very relaxed. This is a real shock, but Paul is a strong character who has handled this for eight years. We wish him all the best.”
Raymond Stewart, who played alongside Paul for Dundee United and Scotland, and who was on the staff at McDiarmid Park when Paul was manager, commented, “This is very sad news, but Luggy is a winner through and through and he’ll battle on. Paul still has a life to lead and he’ll lead it to the full.
“You never know what’s around the corner, but Paul will just carry on as normal.”
Shug Falconer, chairman of the Federation of Dundee United Supporters’ Clubs, said, “Paul is a legend with United and one of the best players who has ever played for the club.
“It’s not nice to hear that he’s been ill and I’m sure all the best wishes of every United fan will be with him.
“There are already people speaking about raising money for Parkinson’s. It might be too early to get a bucket collection organised for Saturday, but maybe we could do that at our first home game against Celtic.
“He was always a United boy through and through and some of us are going to have a face-to-face chat with Paul at a pub in Plymouth the night before the game. It’s going to be really good to meet up with him.”
Dundee United fan Ronnie Bissell described Sturrock as a fighter.
“At the end of the day, the boy is a legend — that’s why so many United supporters are going down to Plymouth at the weekend,” he said.
“He was a fighter as a player and I’m sure he’ll fight through this. I join every United supporter in wishing him well.”
Sturrock (51), in his second spell at Home Park, has been living with a mild version of the progressive neurological condition for the past eight years.
He said it was an illness that he was perfectly comfortable with.
Speaking to the Tele from Denmark, Dundee’s best-known referee Bob Valentine — now a referee observer with UEFA — said he joined everyone in passing on his best wishes to Sturrock.
“Paul was one of those people I had a good rapport with on the pitch,” he said.
“That extended to having a word with the ref when he wasn’t happy with a decision — but it was always done in a cheeky chappie manner and he was never over heavy.
“Paul was full of enthusiasm as a player and it’s something he’s taken with him into management.
“Even if he’s still got 50% of that enthusiasm, it’ll be more than most coaches. I join everyone in wishing him well.”
This is not the first time Sturrock has been troubled by health problems. He collapsed in the dugout during a match at Tannadice in 1995 when in charge of St Johnstone.
Former Arsenal and Liverpool footballer Ray Kennedy, who won every domestic English honour, as well as the European Cup and UEFA Cup, is also a sufferer of the disease, having been diagnosed at 35. |
