Ray Deakin is still the hero of Clarets the world over after he led the team to a 2-1 victory on that fateful day in May 1987 and saved them from demotion from the Football League.

But today, aged 49, he is recovering from an operation in Leeds General Infirmary after being diagnosed with brain cancer.

Ray's son Adam said his father was admitted to Pontefract Hospital on Sunday, July 20th, after complaining of severe headaches and double vision.

On the following Tuesday he underwent a scan which revealed a tumor in the brain.

He was transferred to Leeds to undergo surgery on July 23rd but the surgeon was only able to remove part of the tumour and tests revealed it was cancerous.

He is now back home in Selby, North Yorkshire, where he lives with his wife Penny and 19-year-old son Adam.

Liverpool-born Ray said yesterday that although he has the most aggressive form of the disease he begins radiotherapy treatment in a few weeks time and is determined to fight it.

"I'm staying very positive and they are not going to get rid of me that easily," he said.

He still fondly recalls his playing days at Burnley and enjoys looking at Burnley Express cuttings from the Orient game and the memorable Sherpa Van final against Wolves at Wembley in May 1988.

"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."

Ray joined the Clarets from Bolton in the summer of 1985 and went on the make 247 appearances, scoring six goals for Burnley in a distinguished career.

He was always a fans' favourite and the popular full-back was affectionately known as "Whooooooosh". He was released by the club in the summer of 1991 and left football, becoming a salesman.

Burnley Express sports editor Edward Lee paid tribute to one of the Claret greats. He said: "Burnley fans will always have a great deal of affection for Ray Deakin, the captain who had to hold his nerve during the Orient game.

"Like everyone else who was around at the time of Ray's captaincy, I was sorry to hear of his current illness and I am sure Burnley fans everywhere will join me in wishing him the very best."

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