Ex pro warns young footballers over head injuries

A former Bristol Rovers player is spreading a message about head safety after being diagnosed with a brain disease linked to repeated head injuries.

In 2024 Ian Alexander, who is now 62, found out he had suspected chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE).

"I'm trying to get it into grassroots football, because they haven't got doctors and physios. All they have is a mum and dad and a manager," said Mr Alexander.

"If a kid has a head knock, take them off and assess them and don't let them make their own decision to play on," he added.

Mr Alexander is also encouraging other former players and sports people to reach out and get help if they get symptoms like memory loss and confusion.

He said he noticed something was not quite right 20 years ago when he started to get constant headaches, but the doctors at the time couldn't find anything wrong.

Two years ago other Bristol Rovers former players got in touch and encouraged him to have a scan, which came back as potential CTE.

"I didn't have a clue what CTE was. All footballers knew about the head injuries linked to dementia, it's been known for years but I never thought it would happen to me," said Mr Alexander.

Mr Alexander says his memory is not what it was.

"I would go down the shops for a pint of milk and come back with a tank full of fuel, or go in fridge to look for a knife and fork," he said.

He added he often looks at picture of his sporting past and can't remember any of the faces.

On holiday recently he was sat at a restaurant and he didn't know how to use a knife and fork, which he said was "a big one" in his dementia journey.

The CTE diagnosis was "shattering", said Mr Alexander.

He was told by doctors to "go and make memories" which is what he is doing now with his three grandchildren, who all play football.

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