Terminally ill football fan's day as club boss
Retired Danny Burkley, 60, says he was "honoured" to be invited to manage his beloved Ossett United.
Danny Burkey said he was "overjoyed, honoured and surprised" to be asked to help manage Ossett United FC [Prostate Cancer UK] A football fan with terminal cancer said he was "honoured" to have been given the the opportunity to stand in the dugout and manage his beloved team. Ossett United FC supporter Danny Burkey was due to attend the match against Grimsby Borough from his usual spot in the stand on Saturday, but the club surprised him by making him assistant manager for the day. The 60-year-old retired teacher was diagnosed with incurable prostate cancer in 2021 and has previously raised funds for cancer charities at match days.
Despite his team losing 2-1, Danny said: "My day has been fantastic. From the time I found out I was doing this I've been really excited about it. And it's been brilliant.
" Danny had planned to attend the game with friends and family to again raise funds and awareness of the disease, but the club decided to take it a step further. "It was a very important game, and unfortunately the result didn't go our way. We're one place above relegation and we were playing the team directly above us," he said.
"But you know, it was great and the club has really honoured me and made me so welcome and allowed me access to absolutely everything. " Before the match Danny was invited to give a team talk. "It wasn't very tactical," he admitted, "it was more inspirational - and it didn't work, but yeah, I had a go.