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R.I.P.- Tommy Burns was a credit to sport! As a Rangers supporter i would like to thank him for his contribution to Scottish football and more importantly honour him as a true gentleman. My thoughts are with his family and friends at this point. It was a shock to hear of his passing (i honestly thought he would have beaten it), it's **** well not fair!

One of the things that struck me in interviews with a number of ex Killie players when asked about the impact of Tommy Burns coming to Killie, their reponse was universally unanimous, MASSIVE. From Tom Black, Gus McPherson, Bobby Geddes, John Sludden, Paul Flexney, George McLuskey and Dave MacKinnon they said that the transformation in Kilmarnock’s fortunes was single-handedly down to Tommy Burns. He set the standards of work rate, energy, passion and desire that drove Kilmarnock forward aided and supported by the Fleetings. He created a sense of teamwork that was not only confined to the team but the supporters and the Manager. He created an inviolable trinity between the Manager, the team and the supporters. Sometimes when you sign players you sometimes wonder what you are going to get. With Tommy Burns I can honestly say that I was astonished at his abilities. I knew he could pass the ball but his scoring was lethal particularly from long range. His spectacular strikes against Ayr Meadowbank, Morton and one thunderbolt against East Stirling remain especially vivid. He could also dictate the whole game for Killie and if you look at some old footage on youtube you can see him directing players into space then delivering that pass with his exquisite left foot. His close control was incredible and he could deftly side step those juggernaut muscular footballers that tried to take him out. He was too deft for them. Two other memories - He was hysterical company and once sang Mack the Knife on a pre-season tour after Killie beat Sligo Rovers. He brought the house down. After he moved to Celtic, he was being slated by the media and subjected to all kinds of criticisms. I wrote to him thanking him for all the memories he created and delivered at Killie. He should reflect on that during those troubled moments. Within days, he wrote back saying thanks and stated While he (Tommy Burns ) was at Kilmarnock, he said it was simply the Best of Times ! I still have the letter and treasure it. Some man, some player who gave so much pleasure. While I am desperately sad that he as succumbed to skin cancer, I seek some consolation in the glorious memories he gave us.

One of the things that struck me in interviews with a number of ex Killie players when asked about the impact of Tommy Burns coming to Killie, their reponse was universally unanimous, MASSIVE. From Tom Black, Gus McPherson, Bobby Geddes, John Sludden, Paul Flexney, George McLuskey and Dave MacKinnon they said that the transformation in Kilmarnock’s fortunes was single-handedly down to Tommy Burns. He set the standards of work rate, energy, passion and desire that drove Kilmarnock forward aided and supported by the Fleetings. He created a sense of teamwork that was not only confined to the team but the supporters and the Manager. He created an inviolable trinity between the Manager, the team and the supporters. Sometimes when you sign players you sometimes wonder what you are going to get. With Tommy Burns I can honestly say that I was astonished at his abilities. I knew he could pass the ball but his scoring was lethal particularly from long range. His spectacular strikes against Ayr Meadowbank, Morton and one thunderbolt against East Stirling remain especially vivid. He could also dictate the whole game for Killie and if you look at some old footage on youtube you can see him directing players into space then delivering that pass with his exquisite left foot. His close control was incredible and he could deftly side step those juggernaut muscular footballers that tried to take him out. He was too deft for them. Two other memories - He was hysterical company and once sang Mack the Knife on a pre-season tour after Killie beat Sligo Rovers. He brought the house down. After he moved to Celtic, he was being slated by the media and subjected to all kinds of criticisms. I wrote to him thanking him for all the memories he created and delivered at Killie. He should reflect on that during those troubled moments. Within days, he wrote back saying thanks and stated While he (Tommy Burns ) was at Kilmarnock, he said it was simply the Best of Times ! I still have the letter and treasure it. Some man, some player who gave so much pleasure. While I am desperately sad that he as succumbed to skin cancer, I seek some consolation in the glorious memories he gave us.