Worried players say they’re praying for Tottenham legend Justin Edinburgh, 49, after he was rushed to hospital hours after returning from the Champions League final in Madrid
- Justin Edinburgh was taken to hospital on Monday morning after falling ill
- The 49-year-old travelled to Madrid to watch Spurs in Champions League final
- His former clubs and a series of his players have tweeted their support of him
Tottenham legend Justin Edinburgh is seriously ill in hospital — with his worried Leyton Orient players ‘praying’ for his speedy recovery.
Edinburgh was taken to hospital on Monday morning after falling ill unexpectedly, just weeks after guiding the east London club back into the Football League.
The 49-year-old had travelled to Madrid on the weekend to watch his former side Tottenham in their Champions League final defeat by Liverpool.
Tributes have been paid to Leyton Orient’s Justin Edinburgh, who is seriously ill in hospital
Tottenham Hotspur tweeted out a tribute to their former defender after he was hospitalised
Edinburgh (second left) pictured ahead of watching Spurs at the Champions League final in Madrid on Saturday with fellow Tottenham legend Clive Allen (left)
Leyton Orient said in a statement on Tuesday: ‘Following Justin Edinburgh’s admission to hospital on Monday, we would like to thank every supporter, club and organisation that has sent messages for Justin.
‘We are supporting the Edinburgh family closely and the club’s medical team is liaising with the specialist staff at the hospital where is receiving the best possible care.
‘Thank you again for all of your support at this time. We will update you through official club channels when appropriate and politely request that the family’s privacy continues to be respected.’
Following the news on Monday, Tottenham wished 49-year-old Edinburgh a speedy recovery.
Tottenham wrote on Twitter: ‘Everybody at the club sends their best wishes to our former defender Justin Edinburgh after he was taken ill earlier this morning.’
Edinburgh played for Spurs between 1990 and 2000, featuring over 200 times.
His former team-mate at Spurs, Micky Hazard, said: ‘I want to send best wishes to my good friend Justin Edinburgh. A top man and a Spurs legend, with you all the way Justin.’
Orient captain Jobi McAnuff said: ‘Get well soon gaffer. Sending my love to Charlie Edinburgh (Justin’s son) and the rest of the family.’
‘Our thoughts and prayers are with the boss and his family tonight,’ Macauley Bonne said.
‘You’ve been a guiding light for us all at Orient, so it’s our time to guide you. We’re all waiting for positive news!’
Josh Coulson said: ‘Get well soon gaffer. Charlie Edinburgh, love to you all my man.’
Edinburgh (left) had travelled to Madrid on Saturday to watch the Champions League final
The Orient manager, pictured in Madrid with former team-mates, was hospitalised on Monday
Marvin Ekpiteta added: ‘Get well soon gaffer, we’re all praying for you.’
Goalkeeper Sam Sargeant wrote: ‘Thoughts and prayers go out to this man (Edinburgh) and his family, praying for a speedy recovery gaffer.’
Dan Happe tweeted: ‘Praying for a speedy recovery. Send my love to the family, Charlie Edinburgh.’
Jamie Turley said: ‘Thinking of the gaffer and the whole Edinburgh family. We are all behind you and sending positive thoughts and prays.’
Former Spurs team-mate Micky Hazard paid tribute to Edinburgh on his Twitter account
Tottenham also paid tribute to their former defender on Twitter after the news emerged
James Brophy said: ‘Wishing our gaffer a speedy recovery and well recovery. All my love to the Edinburgh family at this time.’
Jordan Maguire-Drew added: ‘Praying for a speedy recovery gaffer.’
‘Speedy recovery gaffer, we’re all with out,’ Dale Gorman said and James Alabi also added: ‘Come on gaffer, you got this!’
Before joining Spurs in 1990, Edinburgh started his career at Southend.
Edinburgh (left) celebrating a goal with David Ginola during his time at Tottenham Hotspur
He then joined Portsmouth on loan in 2000 before spending three years there. The south coast club tweeted: ‘Best wishes from everyone at Pompey go out to former defender Justin Edinburgh and all at Leyton Orient’.
He ended his playing career at Billericay Town and also managed them during his spell there.
Edinburgh then took charge of the likes of Rushden and Diamonds, Newport County, Gillingham and Northampton Town before joining Orient in 2017.
Robbie Savage reacting to an incident with Edinburgh during the 1999 League Cup final