PAEngland legend Ray Wilkins is fighting for his life in hospital.
A fall at home caused the former Chelsea and Manchester United star, 61, to be rushed to hospital from his home in Cobham, Surrey.
Wilkins’ family have kept a bedside vigil for the football legend who is reported to be fighting for his life.
The thoughts of everybody at Chelsea Football Club are with Ray Wilkins and his family tonight. Keep fighting Ray, you have our love and support. pic.twitter.com/egOapZhDYN
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) March 30, 2018
The midfielder suffered a heart attack and fell at his home meaning doctors had little choice but to put him into an induced coma.
His wife Jackie told the Daily Mirror he is in intensive care.
She said:
He is not in a good stat at all, I’m afraid. He’s critically ill.
The cardiac arrest led to a fall which has meant he’s had to be put in an induced coma.
It’s very very bad.
Thoughts and best wishes to Ray Wilkins and his family tonight, get well soon Ray where all thinkingof you mate. What a guy this fella is so genuine and time for everyone ?@soccerspeaker pic.twitter.com/7k4KLcghAY
— Neil Ruddock (@RealRazor) March 30, 2018
Wilkins, who appears on Alan Brazil’s Talksport breakfast show and Sky Sports as a pundit, reportedly collapsed on Wednesday at his £2.6 million property in Surrey.
He’d only appeared on the radio a day earlier.
The former international footballer and Chelsea coach is being treated at St George’s Hospital in Tooting, south London, boasting one of the UK’s top trauma units.
Since the news broke last night, the football world has rallied around ‘Butch’ with his former clubs and football legends the world over tweeting their support.
Thoughts are with Ray Wilkins and his family. Rooting for you, Butch.
— Gary Lineker (@GaryLineker) March 31, 2018
So much love for Ray Wilkins on here today. Thinking of his family as he’s in a critical condition in hospital. Hope he pulls through.
— Dan Walker (@mrdanwalker) March 31, 2018
Praying & wishing for Ray Wilkins' return to health. His goal for QPR v Sheffield Wednesday in 1991 pic.twitter.com/nTTGJBkxDy
— @forgottengoals (@forgottengoals) March 31, 2018
Really sad news to hear about my former team mate Ray Wilkins, stay strong pal :)
— Norman Whiteside (@NormanWhiteside) March 31, 2018
Just heard the news re ray Wilkins a great person had the pleasure to play with him for England & rangers get well soon mate
— Graham Roberts (@GrahamRoberts4) March 31, 2018
My heart goes out to Ray Wilkins – true football legend with a unique personality and sense of humour. Keep fighting Ray. pic.twitter.com/KI4D3EzNu4
— Jim White (@JimWhite) March 31, 2018
The thoughts of everyone at #RangersFC are with Hall of Fame midfielder Ray Wilkins and his family at this time. ? pic.twitter.com/yx06ZnkyCm
— Rangers Football Club (@RangersFC) March 31, 2018
Thoughts and prayers go out for Ray Wilkins. Let’s hope he can pull through
— Chris Sutton (@chris_sutton73) March 31, 2018
Love and best wishes to Ray Wilkins and family after the awful news tonight. Had a tough time in recent years but his politeness, genuine interest in others and humour is there in bucket loads.
Praying for you Butch! ??
— Stan Collymore (@StanCollymore) March 30, 2018
Just woken up the hear that Ray Wilkins is not well. There are very few people like Ray, engaging, generous, witty, insightful, warm and always always more interested in you than himself. Sending all my love and thoughts to him, Jackie and the family.
— Ben Shephard (@benshephard) March 31, 2018
Just found out about the news, be strong Ray Wilkins and family. We blue army are sending you… https://t.co/B72y5SCJPj
— Didier Drogba (@didierdrogba) March 30, 2018
Wilkins’ colleague, Alan Brazil, said:
Ray Wilkins is one of the nicest men you could ever wish to meet and working with him on the show is always a joy.
Keep fighting, Butch.
Wilkins met his wife while she was a secretary for the then-Chelsea manager Eddie McReadie. They were married for just six weeks when Chelsea were relegated and he moved north to play for Manchester United.
He received an MBE at Buckingham Palace in 1993 for his contribution to football, winning 84 caps and scoring three goals for the national team.
Beginning his career in 1973 with Chelsea, Butch – his childhood nickname, later played for European giants like Manchester United, AC Milan, Paris St-Germain and Rangers.
PAHis coaching career came to an end in 2015 at Aston Villa alongside the sacking of then-manager Tim Sherwood.
Since then he’s kept himself busy as a pundit for Sky Sports, the BBC and Talksport despite battling booze problems and ulcerative colitis.
Ray has often opened up about his problems and checked himself in to get help for his alcohol problem after a drink-drive incident in 2013.
He’s also battled depression and was happy to open up about his issues, saying:
I just don’t cope well with rejection. I had depression when I left QPR. I went to see a doctor linked to The Priory at the time.
I was lucky enough to. play until I was 40, 41 but when time decided I could no longer continue, I struggled in a way I’m sure a lot of sportsmen do.
It’s hard to replace what sport gives you.
It’s safe to say everyone is hoping one of the nicest men in football pulls through.
Get well soon, Butch.
Taking the idea of ‘being woke’ to a whole new level over a decade-long career in sport, court and online news, George has worked for titles and agencies including ESPN FC, Eurosport, LADbible and Court News UK. He may not have a degree but does have an unhealthy obsession with Lord of the Rings.