'Rooting for you, Butch': Ray Wilkins sent well-wishes from Frank Lampard, Didier Drogba, Gary Lineker and more after cardiac arrest

Standard Sport31 March 2018

The football world rushed to send well-wishes to former England captain Ray Wilkins following news of his cardiac arrest.

The 61-year-old, best known for his time as a player and then coach at Chelsea, is in an induced coma at St George's Hospital.

Wilkins also played for the likes of Manchester United, Rangers, QPR, Crystal Palace, Millwall and Leyton Orient as well as spells in mainland Europe with AC Milan and Paris Saint-Germain.

He made 84 appearances for England, named captain on 10 occasions, during a playing career spanning over three decades.

Following the reports, Chelsea tweeted: "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."

​QPR and Leyton Orient and Fulham followed suit, the former tweeting: "We're extremely saddened to hear former #QPR player and manager Ray Wilkins has suffered a suspected heart attack. All our prayers are with you, Ray."

Leyton Orient tweeted: Everyone associated with #LOFC’s thoughts are with former player Ray Wilkins and his family tonight. Keep fighting! #LOFC"

Fulham tweeted on Saturday morning: "Our thoughts are with Ray Wilkins and his family today. You have all our love and support."

Wilkins spent six seasons as part of Chelsea's backroom staff, over two spells, under Gianluca Vialli, Luiz Felipe Scolari, Guus Hiddink and Carlo Ancelotti either as coach or assistant manager.

Frank Lampard said all his "thoughts and strength" were with Wilkins, describing him as an "absolute Gentleman" in an Instagram post.

Didier Drogba added on the same social media site: "Just found out about the news, be strong Ray Wilkins and family. We blue army are sending you our prayers on this religious day."

Wilkins, who has been nicknamed 'Butch' since childhood and joined Chelsea along with his brothers Graham and Stephen in 1970. He called time on his playing career 27 years later, at the end of the 1996-97 season, following short spells with Millwall and Leyton Orient.

The Professional Footballers' Association tweeted: "Our thoughts are with Ray Wilkins and his family today. Sending our love and support."

Gary Lineker and Chris Sutton joined the growing chorus, along with Sky Sports and BT Sports colleagued Jim White and Jake Humphrey.

White tweeted: "My heart goes out to Ray Wilkins - true football legend with a unique personality and sense of humour. Keep fighting Ray."

Former players Neil Ruddock and Stan Collymore also sent well-wishes, while Tam McManus recalled time the pair spent together at Hibernian,

He tweeted: [I] was a kid at Hibs when Ray Wilkins signed, an absolute gent of a man, no airs or graces at all and great with all the young boys. Had time for everyone. Really liked him. Hope he pulls through."

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