Best wishes pour in for Whoooooshy

Deakin was the captain of the side that beat Orient 2-1 on that dramatic day in May 1987 and led the side out at Wembley a year later in the Sherpa Van Trophy Final. He was with Burnley for six years after becoming one of Martin Buchan's summer signings in 1985.

Now at the age of 49 he faces this battle and is currently recovering from an operation to remove part of a tumour from his brain, an operation that was carried out just three days after he'd first been admitted to hospital with severe headaches and double vision.

Deaks, or 'Whoooooshy' to the Burnley fans is now back home with his family and preparing for a course of radiotherapy treatment and he told the Burnley Express: "I'm staying very positive and they are not going to get rid of me that easily."

Speaking about his time at Burnley he added: "They were fantastic days and when we came back from Wembley it was fantastic, the fans were amazing and I always thought they were crazy, in a good way. I loved my days at Burnley."

Messages can be left on our message board and everyone at Clarets Mad sends Ray best wishes for a full and speedy recovery.