Recent Cases of Dementia and Motor Neurone Disease in football

Cases of Dementia and Motor Neurone Disease in Former Footballers

Introduction

This is a list of 164 former UK footballers who suffered from dementia.

It attempts to answer a question in the Alan Shearer programme: how many footballers have dementia?

It is a work in progress and will need to be improved and updated.

Table 1: UK and Irish Dementia and CTE

No.	Player Name	Position	Year of Birth	Year of Death	Primary Teams & Career Span	Diagnosis
1	Adamson, Jimmy	Right-half	1929	2011	Burnley (1947–1964)	Dementia1
2	Aldis, Peter	Defender	1927	2008	Aston Villa (1949–1960)	Dementia1
3	Alexander, Ian	Defender / Mid	1963	—	Bristol Rovers, Rotherham (1981–1997)	Dementia (CTE-linked)1
4	Allen, Ronnie	Centre forward	1929	2001	West Brom, Port Vale (1946–1964)	Alzheimer’s1
5	Allison, Malcolm	Centre-half	1927	2010	West Ham, Charlton (1945–1957)	Dementia1
6	Astle, Jeff	Striker	1942	2002	West Brom, Notts County (1959–1977)	CTE1
7	Baker, Peter	Right-back	1931	2016	Tottenham Hotspur (1952–1965)	Alzheimer’s1
8	Banks, Tommy	Left-back	1929	2024	Bolton, Altrincham (1947–1963)	Dementia1
9	Barnett, Graham	Inside-forward	1936	2019	Tranmere, Port Vale (1956–1965)	Dementia1
10	Bell, Eric	Wing-half	1929	2012	Bolton Wanderers (1950–1958)	Alzheimer’s1
11	Bicknell, Roy	Defender	1926	2005	Colchester, Bristol City (1947–1960)	Alzheimer’s / Parkinson’s1
12	Bird, Kevin	Centre-back	1952	2023	Mansfield, Huddersfield (1972–1984)	Dementia1
13	Blacklaw, Adam	Goalkeeper	1937	2010	Burnley, Blackburn (1954–1970)	Dementia1
14	Blanchflower, Danny	Right-half	1926	1993	Tottenham, Aston Villa (1949–1964)	Alzheimer’s (probable CTE)1
15	Bonetti, Peter	Goalkeeper	1941	2020	Chelsea, Dundee United (1960–1979)	Dementia1
16	Bowles, Stan	Forward	1948	2024	QPR, Brentford (1967–1984)	Alzheimer’s1
17	Branagan, Ken	Full-back	1930	2008	Man City, Oldham (1948–1966)	Alzheimer’s1
18	Broadbent, Peter	Midfielder	1933	2013	Wolves, Aston Villa (1950–1970)	Alzheimer’s1
19	Brogan, Jim	Left-back	1944	2018	Celtic, Coventry (1962–1978)	Dementia1
20	Brooks, Johnny	Inside-forward	1931	2016	Tottenham, Brentford (1951–1968)	Vascular dementia1
21	Brown, Alistair	Forward	1951	—	West Brom, Leicester (1968–1986)	Dementia1
22	Buchanan, Cameron	Inside-forward	1928	2008	Bournemouth, Norwich (1946–1955)	Dementia1
23	Bulless, Brian	Defender / Mid	1933	2016	Hull City (1953–1964)	Dementia1
24	Byrne, Gerry	Left-back	1938	2015	Liverpool (1957–1969)	Alzheimer’s1
25	Byrne, John	Forward	1934	2006	Shamrock Rovers (1952–1967)	Dementia / Parkinson’s1
26	Calderwood, Jimmy	Midfielder	1955	2025	Birmingham, Roda JC (1971–1989)	Dementia1
27	Caldow, Eric	Defender	1934	2019	Rangers, Stirling Albion (1953–1969)	Alzheimer’s1
28	Carroll, Tommy	Defender	1942	2020	Ipswich, Cambridge City (1964–1976)	Dementia1
29	Chalmers, Stevie	Forward	1935	2019	Celtic, Partick Thistle (1955–1975)	Dementia1
30	Charles, John	Striker / Defender	1931	2004	Leeds, Juventus (1949–1966)	Dementia1
31	Charlton, Bobby	Mid / Forward	1937	2023	Man United, Preston (1956–1976)	Dementia1
32	Charlton, Jack	Centre-half	1935	2020	Leeds United (1952–1973)	Dementia1
33	Chilton, Chris	Centre-forward	1943	2021	Hull City, Coventry (1960–1973)	Alzheimer’s1
34	Clark, Brian	Striker	1943	2010	Cardiff, Bristol City (1961–1979)	Lewy body dementia1
35	Cockerill, Ron	Defender	1935	2010	Grimsby, Huddersfield (1954–1968)	Vascular dementia1
36	Conway, Jimmy	Midfielder	1946	2020	Fulham, Portland Timbers (1964–1982)	Dementia1
37	Corbett, Willie	Centre-half	1922	2011	Preston, Celtic (1940–1957)	Dementia1
38	Cormack, Peter	Midfielder	1946	2024	Hibernian, Liverpool (1963–1980)	Dementia1
39	Cropley, Alex	Midfielder	1951	2026	Hibernian, Aston Villa (1968–1982)	Dementia1
40	Crowe, Charlie	Defender	1924	2010	Newcastle, Mansfield (1946–1959)	Alzheimer’s1
41	Cullis, Stan	Centre-half	1916	2001	Wolves (1934–1947)	Dementia1
42	Cummings, Tommy	Central defender	1928	2009	Burnley, Mansfield (1947–1964)	Dementia1
43	Davidson, Andy	Right-back	1932	2014	Hull City (1948–1968)	Dementia1
44	Davies, Ron	Centre-forward	1942	2013	Southampton, Cardiff (1959–1975)	Alzheimer’s1
45	Dixon, Johnny	Inside-forward	1923	2009	Aston Villa (1945–1961)	Alzheimer’s1
46	Dougall, Neil	Inside-right	1921	2009	Plymouth, Birmingham (1940–1959)	Alzheimer’s1
47	Elsworthy, John	Left-half	1931	2009	Ipswich Town (1949–1965)	Alzheimer’s1
48	Feasey, Paul	Centre-half	1933	2012	Hull City (1950–1962)	Dementia1
49	Fernie, Willie	Forward	1928	2011	Celtic, St Mirren (1949–1965)	Alzheimer’s1
50	Forbes, Duncan	Central defender	1941	2019	Norwich, Colchester (1961–1982)	Alzheimer’s1
51	Ford, Trevor	Centre-forward	1923	2003	Aston Villa, Sunderland (1946–1960)	Dementia / Alzheimer’s1
52	Foulkes, Bill	Centre-half	1932	2013	Manchester United (1952–1970)	Suspected CTE1
53	Fryatt, Jimmy	Striker	1940	2020	Bradford PA, Oldham (1957–1975)	CTE1
54	Furphy, Ken	Defender	1931	2015	Workington, Watford (1953–1968)	Dementia1
55	Gabriel, Jimmy	Defender / Mid	1940	2021	Everton, Southampton (1958–1979)	CTE1
56	Garland, Chris	Forward	1949	2023	Bristol City, Chelsea (1966–1983)	Alzheimer’s / Parkinson’s1
57	Gates, Bill	Centre-back	1944	2023	Middlesbrough (1961–1974)	CTE1
58	Gilliver, Allan	Forward	1944	2025	Bradford City, Huddersfield (1962–1978)	Dementia / Alzheimer’s1
59	Glazzard, Jimmy	Striker	1923	1995	Huddersfield, Everton (1943–1957)	Alzheimer’s1
60	Greaves, Roy	Midfielder	1947	2024	Bolton Wanderers, Seattle Sounders (1965–1982)	Dementia1
61	Greenwood, Ron	Centre-half	1921	2006	Brentford, Chelsea (1945–1959)	Alzheimer’s1
62	Hails, Billy	Winger	1935	2017	Peterborough, Lincoln (1953–1965)	Alzheimer’s1
63	Harrison, Eric	Wing-half	1937	2019	Halifax, Barrow (1956–1972)	Dementia1
64	Haselden, John	Central defender	1943	2020	Rotherham, Doncaster (1961–1974)	Alzheimer’s1
65	Hateley, Tony	Centre-forward	1941	2014	Notts County, Aston Villa (1958–1974)	Alzheimer’s1
66	Henry, Ron	Left-back	1934	2014	Tottenham Hotspur (1952–1966)	Alzheimer’s1
67	Hill, Jimmy	Inside-right	1928	2015	Fulham, Brentford (1949–1961)	Alzheimer’s1
68	Hunt, Bobby	Forward	1942	—	Colchester, Northampton (1959–1974)	Alzheimer’s1
69	Hunt, Ernie	Inside-forward	1943	2018	Swindon, Coventry (1959–1974)	Alzheimer’s1
70	Hunt, George	Inside-forward	1910	1996	Tottenham, Bolton (1929–1947)	Alzheimer’s1
71	Jarvis, Alan	Midfielder	1943	2019	Mansfield, Hull City (1960–1973)	Alzheimer’s1
72	Jones, Joey	Left-back	1955	2025	Wrexham, Liverpool (1972–1992)	Dementia1
73	King, George	Forward	1923	2009	Newcastle, Hull City (1946–1957)	Alzheimer’s1
74	Kopel, Frank	Left-back	1949	2014	Dundee United, Blackburn (1966–1984)	Vascular dementia1
75	Law, Denis	Centre-forward	1940	2025	Man United, Huddersfield (1956–1974)	Alzheimer’s / Vascular1
76	Lees, Walter	Central defender	1947	—	Watford, Clydebank (1966–1978)	Dementia1
77	Lockey, Frank	Midfielder	1933	2017	Boston United (1952–1966)	Alzheimer’s1
78	Lofthouse, Nat	Centre-forward	1925	2011	Bolton Wanderers (1946–1960)	Dementia1
79	Lynn, Stan	Right-back	1928	2002	Aston Villa, Birmingham (1948–1965)	Alzheimer’s1
80	MacKay, Dave	Left-half	1934	2015	Tottenham, Hearts (1953–1972)	Alzheimer’s1
81	MacLeod, Ally	Left-wing	1931	2004	Blackburn, Hibernian (1949–1964)	Alzheimer’s1
82	McCreadie, Eddie	Left-back	1940	2026	Chelsea, Memphis Rogues (1959–1979)	Cognitive decline1
83	McDermott, Terry	Midfielder	1951	—	Liverpool, Newcastle (1969–1986)	Dementia1
84	McEwan, Jimmy	Right-wing	1929	2017	Aston Villa, Raith Rovers (1949–1966)	Dementia1
85	McGill, Jimmy	Forward	1926	2013	Queen of South, Kilmarnock (1946–1960)	Dementia1
86	McGrain, Danny	Right-back	1950	—	Celtic, Hamilton (1970–1988)	Dementia1
87	McIlmoyle, Hughie	Centre-forward	1940	—	Carlisle, Wolves (1960–1976)	Dementia / Alzheimer’s1
88	McIlroy, Jimmy	Forward	1931	2018	Burnley, Stoke City (1949–1966)	Alzheimer’s1
89	McNamee, John	Defender	1941	2024	Hibernian, Newcastle (1960–1974)	Alzheimer’s1
90	McNeill, Billy	Defender	1940	2019	Celtic (1957–1975)	Dementia1
91	McPhail, Billy	Centre-forward	1928	2003	Clyde, Celtic (1947–1958)	Alzheimer’s1
92	McPhee, John	Defender	1937	2015	Blackpool, Motherwell (1956–1971)	Dementia1
93	McQueen, Gordon	Central defender	1952	2023	Man United, Leeds (1970–1985)	Dementia1
94	McShane, Harry	Outside-left	1920	2012	Bolton, Man United (1939–1955)	Alzheimer’s1
95	Mercer, Joe	Left-half	1914	1990	Arsenal, Everton (1932–1955)	Alzheimer’s1
96	Mooney, Kevin	Defender	1959	—	Southport, Tranmere (1977–1989)	Dementia1
97	Moore, Kevin	Defender	1958	2013	Grimsby, Southampton (1976–1994)	Pick’s disease1
98	Mortensen, Stan	Centre-forward	1921	1991	Blackpool, Hull City (1941–1958)	Dementia1
99	Moss, Ernie	Forward	1949	2021	Chesterfield, Mansfield (1968–1992)	Pick’s disease1
100	Mulholland, John	Winger	1928	2015	Scunthorpe, Grimsby (1949–1962)	Alzheimer’s1
101	Musgrove, Malcolm	Left-wing	1933	2007	West Ham, Leyton Orient (1953–1966)	Alzheimer’s1
102	Northcott, Tommy	Striker	1931	2008	Torquay, Lincoln (1949–1966)	Dementia3
103	Oliver, Ken	Defender	1924	1994	Derby, Exeter City (1946–1958)	Alzheimer’s1
104	Ormsby, Brendon	Centre-back	1960	—	Aston Villa, Leeds (1978–1993)	Dementia1
105	O’Sullivan, Peter	Winger	1951	—	Brighton, Fulham (1970–1986)	Dementia3
106	Paisley, Bob	Left-half	1919	1996	Liverpool (1939–1954)	Alzheimer’s1
107	Parkes, Tony	Midfielder	1949	2026	Blackburn Rovers (1970–1982)	Dementia1
108	Payton, Andy	Striker	1967	—	Burnley, Hull City (1985–2003)	Dementia1
109	Peacock, Alan	Striker	1937	2025	Middlesbrough, Leeds (1955–1968)	Dementia1
110	Peebles, George	Winger	1936	2016	Dunfermline, Stirling (1955–1969)	Parkinson’s1
111	Peters, Martin	Midfielder	1943	2019	West Ham, Tottenham (1959–1981)	Alzheimer’s1
112	Phoenix, Peter	Left-winger	1936	2020	Oldham, Rochdale (1955–1966)	Dementia1
113	Pierce, Barry	Inside-forward	1934	2020	Crystal Palace, Millwall (1954–1965)	Dementia1
114	Pilkington, Brian	Left-winger	1933	2020	Burnley, Barrow (1951–1967)	Dementia1
115	Pointer, Ray	Striker	1936	2016	Burnley, Portsmouth (1955–1972)	Dementia1
116	Pontin, Keith	Central defender	1956	2020	Cardiff, Merthyr Tydfil (1976–1991)	CTE1
117	Ramsey, Alf	Right-back	1920	1999	Tottenham, Southampton (1943–1955)	Alzheimer’s1
118	Rathbone, Graham	Central defender	1942	2012	Newport, Grimsby (1960–1975)	Dementia1
119	Raynor, George	Outside-right	1907	1985	Bury, Rotherham (1930–1939)	Alzheimer’s / Vascular1
120	Reid, Jimmy	Inside-forward	1935	2017	Dundee United, Bury (1954–1968)	Dementia1
121	Reilly, George	Striker	1957	—	Cambridge, Watford (1976–1989)	Alzheimer’s1
122	Ritchie, John	Forward	1941	2007	Stoke City, Sheff Wed (1960–1975)	Alzheimer’s1
123	Ritson, John	Right-back	1949	—	Bolton Wanderers, Bury (1968–1982)	Dementia1
124	Robson, Jimmy	Inside-forward	1939	2021	Burnley, Bury (1956–1973)	Dementia1
125	Saunders, Ron	Striker	1932	2019	Portsmouth, Charlton (1951–1967)	Dementia1
126	Saward, Pat	Defender	1928	2002	Aston Villa, Millwall (1951–1963)	Alzheimer’s1
127	Scott, Malcolm	Centre-half	1936	2020	Newcastle, Darlington (1956–1966)	Dementia1
128	Serella, Dave	Central defender	1952	—	Walsall, Blackpool (1970–1983)	Alzheimer’s1
129	Setters, Maurice	Wing-half	1936	2020	Man United, West Brom (1954–1970)	Alzheimer’s1
130	Sexton, Dave	Inside-forward	1930	2012	Brighton, Luton Town (1951–1959)	Dementia1
131	Shuker, John	Defender / Mid	1942	2019	Oxford United (1962–1977)	Dementia1
132	Smith, George	Inside-forward	1921	2013	Man City, Chesterfield (1939–1958)	Dementia1
133	Smith, Jim	Wing-half	1940	2019	Halifax, Aldershot (1961–1973)	Dementia1
134	Smith, Les	Outside-left	1918	1995	Brentford, Aston Villa (1936–1956)	Alzheimer’s1
135	Smith, Tommy	Defender	1945	2019	Liverpool, Swansea City (1962–1979)	Alzheimer’s1
136	Sowden, Billy	Centre-forward	1930	2010	Chesterfield, Stockport (1949–1961)	Dementia1
137	Stevenson, Jim	Half-back	1935	2009	Dunfermline, Dundee (1956–1968)	Alzheimer’s1
138	Stiles, Nobby	Defender / Mid	1942	2020	Man United, Middlesbrough (1960–1975)	Dementia (probable CTE)1
139	Stobart, Barry	Forward	1938	2013	Aston Villa, Workington (1956–1970)	Vascular dementia1
140	Strong, Geoff	Forward / Mid	1937	2013	Liverpool, Arsenal (1957–1971)	Alzheimer’s1
141	Stroud, Roy	Outside-right	1925	2015	Chelmsford, West Ham (1947–1960)	Dementia1
142	Sutton, Mike	Midfielder	1944	2020	Chester, Norwich City (1962–1974)	Dementia1
143	Swan, Peter	Centre-half	1936	2021	Sheff Wed, Bury (1953–1974)	Alzheimer’s1
144	Talbut, John	Centre-half	1940	2020	Burnley, West Brom (1957–1971)	Dementia1
145	Tambling, Bobby	Striker	1941	2026	Chelsea, Crystal Palace (1959–1979)	Dementia1
146	Taylor, Rod	Wing-half	1943	2018	Poole Town, Bournemouth (1960–1974)	CTE1
147	Taylor, Stuart	Centre-back	1947	2019	Bristol Rovers (1965–1980)	Lewy body dementia3
148	Tees, Matt	Forward	1939	2020	Grimsby, Charlton (1958–1975)	Dementia1
149	Thomas, Wilfred	Utility	1917	1990	Brighton, Swansea (1936–1952)	Dementia1
150	Tindall, Mike	Wing-half	1941	2020	Aston Villa, Walsall (1959–1970)	Dementia1
151	Tudor, John	Forward	1946	2025	Newcastle, Coventry (1966–1979)	Alzheimer’s1
152	Turner, Chris	Defender	1951	2015	Peterborough, Cambridge (1969–1986)	Frontal lobe dementia1
153	Twentyman, Geoff	Central defender	1930	2004	Liverpool, Carlisle (1951–1964)	Alzheimer’s1
154	Watson, Dave	Central defender	1946	—	Sunderland, Man City (1966–1986)	Probable CTE1
155	Weir, Jock	Outside-right	1923	2003	Celtic, Blackburn (1940–1956)	Dementia1
156	White, Goff	Centre-forward	1954	2024	Basingstoke, Waterlooville (1972–1988)	CTE1
157	Williams, Alan	Centre-half	1938	2017	Oldham, Bristol City (1955–1972)	Dementia1
158	Wilson, Ray	Left-back	1934	2018	Huddersfield, Everton (1952–1971)	Alzheimer’s1
159	Windass, Dean	Forward / Mid	1969	—	Hull City, Bradford City (1991–2012)	Dementia1
160	Wood, Alf	Striker	1945	2020	Shrewsbury, Millwall (1963–1978)	Dementia1
161	Wood, Brian	Central defender	1940	2014	Colchester, Crystal Palace (1959–1974)	Dementia / Parkinson’s1
162	Worthington, Frank	Forward	1948	2021	Leicester, Huddersfield (1966–1991)	Alzheimer’s (disputed)1
163	Yeats, Ron	Centre-half	1937	2024	Liverpool, Dundee United (1957–1977)	Alzheimer’s1
164	Young, Allan	Centre-half	1941	2009	Torquay, Chelsea (1960–1969)	Dementia1

Table 2: Motor Neurone Disease Cohort

No.	Player Name	Position	Year of Birth	Year of Death	Primary Teams & Career Span	Diagnosis
1	Bertie, Lee	Full-back	1978	2018	Montrose, East Craigie (1998–2010)	MND (diagnosed 2017)1
2	Bowen, Jason	Winger	1972	—	Swansea City, Llanelli (1990–2013)	MND (diagnosed 2021)1
3	Darby, Stephen	Right-back	1988	—	Bradford City, Rochdale (2006–2018)	MND (diagnosed 2018)1
4	Gray, Stewart	Defender	1973	2024	Reading, Mansfield Town (1992–2001)	MND (diagnosed 2023)1
5	Grayson, Neil	Striker	1964	—	Cheltenham, Northampton (1985–2012)	MND1
6	Hagen, David	Midfielder	1973	2020	Falkirk, Clydebank (1992–2007)	MND (diagnosed 2018)1
7	Hindmarch, Rob	Centre-back	1961	2002	Sunderland, Wolves (1977–1995)	MND (diagnosed 2002)1
8	Holden, Mel	Striker	1954	1981	Preston, Sunderland (1973–1981)	MND (diagnosed 1981)1
9	Johnrose, Len	Midfielder	1969	2022	Bury, Burnley (1988–2004)	MND (diagnosed 2017)1
10	Johnstone, Jimmy	Winger	1944	2006	Celtic, San Jose Earthquakes (1962–1979)	MND (diagnosed 2001)1
11	Madren, Willie	Centre-back	1951	2000	Middlesbrough (1969–1979)	MND (diagnosed 1995)1
12	Pender, John	Centre-back	1963	—	Burnley, Wolves (1981–1997)	MND (diagnosed 2020)1
13	Revie, Don	Forward	1927	1989	Man City, Leicester City (1944–1962)	MND (diagnosed 1987)1
14	Robson, Tommy	Winger	1944	2020	Peterborough, Northampton (1961–1981)	MND (diagnosed 2019)1
15	Stewart, Marcus	Striker	1972	—	Bristol Rovers, Huddersfield (1991–2011)	MND (diagnosed 2022)1
16	Taylor, Mark	Midfielder	1983	—	Whitley Bay (2001–2010)	MND (diagnosed 2010)1

Table 3: International Cohort

No.	Player Name	Position	Year of Birth	Year of Death	Primary Teams & Career Span	Diagnosis
1	Bellini, Hilderaldo	Centre-back	1930	2014	Vasco da Gama, São Paulo (1952–1969)	CTE (post-mortem)1
2	Borgonovo, Stefano	Striker	1964	2013	Como, Fiorentina (1981–1996)	MND (diagnosed 2008)1
3	Lombardi, Adriano	Midfielder	1945	2007	Avellino, Perugia (1965–1983)	MND (diagnosed 2001)1
4	Müller, Gerd	Striker	1945	2021	Bayern Munich, Fort Lauderdale (1963–1981)	Alzheimer’s1
5	Nowak, Krzysztof	Midfielder	1975	2005	Wolfsburg, Atlético Paranaense (1993–2001)	MND (diagnosed 2001)1
6	Puskás, Ferenc	Forward	1927	2006	Honvéd, Real Madrid (1943–1966)	Alzheimer’s1
7	Ricksen, Fernando	Defender / Mid	1976	2019	Rangers, Fortuna Sittard (1994–2013)	MND (diagnosed 2013)1
8	Signorini, Gianluca	Defender	1960	2002	Genoa, Parma (1978–1995)	MND (diagnosed 1999)1

Recent Cases of UK Dementia

Ian Alexander mainly played for Bristol Rovers (midfielder).

Kevin Bird died in February 2023 at age 70. His dementia has been associated with heading (Centre-back).

Tommy Carroll played for Ipswich and the Republic of Ireland and died aged 77 in 2020 (Central midfielder).

Jimmy Fryatt. He played for Oldham Athletic and Blackburn Rovers and died in 2020 aged 79 (striker).

Jimmy Gabriel died aged 80 in May 2023. He played for Bournemouth and Southampton (centre-back).

Joey Jones died aged 70 in 2025. He played for Liverpool, Wrexham and Huddersfield (left back).

Denis Law died aged 84 after playing for Manchester United. He was born in 1940 (centre forward).

Walter Lees, was a player for Watford (central defender).

Terry McDermott played for Newcastle United in the 1970s and again in the 1980’s. He also played for Liverpool (central midfielder).

Danny McGrain played for Celtic and Scotland (right back).

Hughie McIlmoyle played for Carlisle United and Wolves (centre forward).

Gordon McQueen played for Manchester United and died aged 70 in 2023 (central defender).

Kevin Mooney was a former Tranmere Rovers defender.

Brendon Ormsby played for Aston Villa (page 181) (centre-back).

Alan Peacock played for Middlesbrough and died in 2025, aged 87 (inside forward/striker).

Barry Pierce played for Crystal Palace and died aged 85 in 2020. (central midfielder).

Andy Payton played for Middlesbrough in the 1991-92 season (striker).

Tony Parkes played for Blacburn Rovers in the 1970’s (midfielder).

John Ritson played for Bolton in the 1970’s (right back).

John Shuker played for Oxford United and died aged 77 in 2019 (midfielder).

Bobby Tambling played for Chelsea and was a manager in Ireland (striker).

Goff White. He was an amateur footballer who died in April 2024 (centre-forward).

Dean Windass played for Bradford City (striker).

Summary

Many of these footballers were either central defenders or centre forwards. These positions involved frequent heading of the ball and aerial challenges, which is associated with an increased risk of dementia.

Another list shows that compared to wider players there are more dementia cases in the central positions.

Older Cases of Dementia

When Jeff Astle died in 2002, the initial cause of death was early-onset Alzheimer’s. This was the accepted narrative until a re-examination took place. After the use of modern techniques to analyse the brain tissue, it was found that the pattern of damage was not consistent with Alzheimer’s. It was a case of chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), which is a brain disease seen in boxers. Astle’s death provided the evidence that heading a football could lead to an identifiable and specific brain disease. Former players were not getting random or general forms of dementia. They were suffering from a disease related to their job.

If more advanced testing had been available, then past dementia cases might have been recognised as CTE. Danny Blanchflower’s Alzheimer’s, death in 1993, could have been from CTE.

Tommy Banks, had been England’s oldest living former player, before he died in 2024, aged 94 (left back).

Ron Greenwood, a former England manager, was living with Alzheimer’s disease before he died aged 84 in 2006 (centre half).

Eric Harrison was a wing-half for Halifax. His diagnosis of dementia is significant as he coached David Beckham at Manchester United.

George Raynor was a former Sweden manager who got Sweden to the 1958 World Cup. He died in 1985 after a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s linked to cerebral vascular disease. He was an ‘outside right’.

Recent Cases of Motor Neurone Disease (MND)

Jason Bowen played for Swansea City and Cardiff City (Right winger).

Neil Grayson played for Cheltenham and Northampton Town (Striker).

John Pender made nearly 500 appearances, mainly for Burnley. (Central defender).

Fernando Ricksen was a former Glasgow Rangers player who had a type of MND and died in 2019, aged 43 (Right-back).

Tommy Robson played for Peterborough United after playing for Newcastle United. He died in 2020 aged 76 (Left Winger).

Marcus Stewart was a striker for Sunderland (Centre-forward).

Mark Taylor won the FA Vase with amateur team Whitley Bay FC (Whitley Bay is near Newcastle) (Central midfielder).

Older Cases of Motor Neurone Disease

The author found 14 cases of motor neurone disease (scroll down) in former footballers. The disease varies significantly between patients. Consequently, life expectancies can be different between players. There is no unique pattern for MND, unlike CTE’s distinctive tau outline.

Other Sports

Dementia cases in former American Footballers

Many UK rugby players have been affected by dementia.

One study stated that former rugby players are 15 times more likely to get motor neurone disease (MND) than the general population.

Brain damage in former boxers has been studied since 1928.

Further Links

For further articles on football heading and dementia then see these links.

You Tube Channel on Football Heading and Dementia

Disclaimer

This writing is for informational purposes only and is not medical advice.