AS news of George Burley's sacking began to filter through, fans turned to the modern grapevine of the internet.Many took to the worldwide web in an attempt come to terms with the news.

AS news of George Burley's sacking began to filter through, fans turned to the modern grapevine of the internet.

Many took to the worldwide web in an attempt come to terms with the news.

Rumours of George Burley's fate were already flying around the message board of the fans website Those Were The Days at 9.40am.

The news was first confirmed on the Evening Star website.

We also had the news before skysports.com, the Nationwide League's official website and the BBC news websites.

The immediate reaction from Ipswich fans on the Those Were The Days website was one of shock. Some were pleased at the news, others disappointed and some in complete disbelief.

This mood soon turned into a guessing game about how the next manager would be. Several names were put forward, including Steve Whitton, Mick Mills, Peter Reid and Paul Gascoigne.

An internet poll on the Evening Star website saw Peter Reid race into an early lead with 50pc of the vote, which had topped 500 within five hours.

Reid remained in the lead overnight, with David O'Leary behind with 25pc.

As the day went on, many more reflective postings were made.

Sandy_itfc said: "I've had a numb feeling all day and it really is a sad day for the club. I didn't actually think that Sheepy would pull the trigger so soon. But it is the right decision."

the_white_horse said: "I don't think any true Town fans that followed Town before 2000 will ever forget what George Burley done for ITFC."

While Ipswich fans were still coming to terms with the news, fans on the Norwich City and Colchester United websites were in a gloating mood.

Msrev, on canarycorner.co.uk, said: "I can still hear the 100 goals, strongest squad, we will win the Championship by Xmas guff spewing out of their cocky little farming mouths. Crisis what crisis?"

Hampshire Yella, on www.wrathofthebarclay.co.uk, said: "Wow ... is this good news or bad? I can't quite decide ... still, at least it gives me something extra to take the mick out of my brother in law for."

Colchester United fans were in similar mood. One fan mocked feeling upset at the decision saying a change of manager would mean their results start to improve:

"Damn & blast it - why? They'll get in a manager who'll focus on 1st division rather than getting distracted in Europe as they collapse down the league...."

While another hoped history would not repeat itself and mean Town tried to snatch ex-player Steve Whitton from The U's.

"All joking aside, can u prepare us for the worst?? Is whitts interested in the Ipswich job? Honestly wouldn't blame him, but we don't want another "I'm not going, oh, I've gone" situation."

WEB LINKS

www.eveningstar.co.uk

www.twtd.co.uk

www.canarycorner.com

www.coluonline.com