Former Man Utd star tells of dementia fear
BBCA man who has won some of football's highest honours has spoken of his fears he could develop dementia due to heading the ball.
David May, a defender with Manchester United's 1999 treble winning team, said: "I'm scared stiff."
May was speaking as Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham and Liverpool City Region Mayor Steve Rotheram called for an amendment to the Football Governance Bill to make it a statutory duty to develop a dementia strategy.
A Department of Culture Media and Sport (DCMS) spokesman said the government expected the football authorities to prioritise the issue and to collect and analyse any emerging evidence.
The mayors hosted an event with Football Families for Justice, which was the largest gathering of former professional footballers from across the North, to raise awareness of the need for more support for ex-players and their families in dealing with dementia and neurodegenerative diseases.
The meeting heard first-hand testimony from former players, their families, MPs, medical experts and campaigners.
May, 54, told the BBC: "It's something you don't want to talk about, that is why we're doing what we're doing – it is emotionally draining for everybody."
One of the campaign leaders is John Stiles, son of England Cup winning hero Nobby the Manchester United legend, who suffered from dementia and died in 2020.
Stiles, who played for Leeds United and Doncaster Rovers, said: "This is not just my dad's era, it's coming closer and closer.
"The more you head the ball the more of the disease you are going to get - it is a scandal it is not being addressed."
Former Bolton, Everton and Manchester City midfielder Peter Reid added: "The football industry is awash with money and, in these days, of over £100m transfers, why can't we help these families?"
He was backed by Mr Rotheram who said: "These people have given so much to the game and all they are asking is that the game to recognise their efforts."
The mayors are seeking to launch a parliamentary campaign calling for a "statutory duty on the football authorities and the players' union to develop a comprehensive football and dementia strategy – including a financial support scheme agreed with players past and present and their families – for presentation to, and sign-off by, the UK government."
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