Bobby, Jackie, Martin Peters, Ray Wilson, Nobby Stiles...all dementia or Alzheimer's. Also squad member Gerry Byrne.
Not Good at all, my heart goes out to all close to him, Mi Mam has it & it killed mi Dad. Truly an awful disease.
There's got to be something in the theory that heading the ball contributes to the risk of dementia in later life. Too early perhaps to know how it will pan out for generations of footballers that followed Charltons and who used modern footballs. But the leather "Caseys" that were used in those days, when they were wet, would be so heavy that every header would be like being punched in the head.
You have my sympathy. My mother died of this horrible affliction on New Year's Day. it took away her reason and her dignity. It was awful to watch her slowly deteriorate. As others have said he is one of many from that era who has received that diagnosis. He was unable to attend his brother's funeral because of illness. Now we know why. Bobby Charlton was my first footballing hero. I had the privilege to see him play at Bramhall Lane, Hillsborough and indeed Oakwell. I was at Wombwell SA when he made an appearance to present the trophies after a local cup final.
I was going to post something similar. I don't believe the problem is as widespread these days, due to lighter footballs, as you stated, but we don't know for sure as yet. American Football has major CTE issues, and Rugby League and Union to a lesser extent.
Terrible news! My mum (& both her sisters) died with this condition - it truly is a dreadful disease where, in mum’s case, she starved to death because she literally forgot how to eat & swallow.
It's true, the one's we used at school would not only hurt your neck if you didn't just time it right....but the laces would imprint themselves on your forehead.... sometimes they were so hard they rang like a bell when you kicked them....I'll be honest I only headed the thing if I thought I could actually score.
Poor fella, my nan kept asking where grandad was, we’d to keep reminding her he’d passed away and help her grieve again and again. It’s an awful condition that takes away the person they were, hope he and the family get all tge help and support they need.
That's terrible mate, I feel for you, I really do. It reminds me so much of mum-in-law who got dementia and was convinced she was eating and drinking. It got so bad that we could leave her in the evening with a cup of tea and a sandwich or snack, and it would still be there the following morning. So sad to see and difficult to explain to her that she should be eating
My wife was diagnosed with Fronto temporal dementia at 49 years of age, they're are no words profound enough to convey how evil this illness is, my son's and I have bore witness to the slow erosion of the brightest light slowly dim to nothing, sadness, grief, guilt and anger are forever walking along side us. If anyone on here find themselves in a similar situation, please contact BIADS and/or similar entities, you are not alone, there is help out there.
