Prominent article in today's edition of the Sun about 48 year old Lenny who memorably scored for us in THAT game against Hull. He has been diagnosed with the killer Motor Neurone Disease (MND) and it seems that this horrendous disease that claimed the life of Sir Stephen Hawking, is prevalent in the football world. Last month Bolton defender Stephen Darby aged just 29 retired from football to fight the illness, which former Rangers star, Fernando Ricksen has been battling since 2013. Earlier this month it claimed the life of Carlisle favourite Tony Hopper as it did Celtic star Jimmy Johnstone; legendary boss Don Revie and Middlesborough player Willie Maddren.
Research into the causes of this deadly illness, from which recovery hopes are almost non-existent, is now part of the same initiative instigated by the PFA and the FA last year on the causes of Parkinson's disease (remember Swan Ray Kennedy) and other forms of dementia. Evidence has been growing from abroad for several years that footballers were somehow more prone to the disease than most sportsmen and the general public. As part of research entitled Football's Influence on Lifelong Health and Dementia (FIELD), the physical and mental health of approximately 15,000 former professionals will be compared to the wider population. Among the volunteers will be several ex players from Barcelona and some members of the PFA.
The PFA were criticised along with the FA by the family of West Brom hero Jeff Astle for failing to react to the causes that brought about his death from dementia aged 59, in 2002. (Jeff Astle, known as the King at WBA, scored the goal that beat Everton in the 1968 Cup Final meaning that he had scored in every round of the competition. He also scored 168 league goals in his career and was capped 5 times. NOTE: I met Jeff when my company sponsored a shield for the winners of a youth tournament in the Midlands and I have a picture somewhere of him making the presentation.)
One good thing to come out of this is that it has triggered the relevant football authorities into conducting research into these diseases and, football being awash with money, they can well afford it. Perhaps the public at large will also benefit from their findings and that can only be a good thing.
But back to Lenny. He has been so down that he contemplated assisted suicide before the illness put him in a wheelchair prior to death but has now decided to fight it and raise money for the cause before his condition worsens. I know we will all wish him every success with his endeavours and a speedy return to good health. COME ON, YOU JB, WIN YOUR FIGHT!!!
Research into the causes of this deadly illness, from which recovery hopes are almost non-existent, is now part of the same initiative instigated by the PFA and the FA last year on the causes of Parkinson's disease (remember Swan Ray Kennedy) and other forms of dementia. Evidence has been growing from abroad for several years that footballers were somehow more prone to the disease than most sportsmen and the general public. As part of research entitled Football's Influence on Lifelong Health and Dementia (FIELD), the physical and mental health of approximately 15,000 former professionals will be compared to the wider population. Among the volunteers will be several ex players from Barcelona and some members of the PFA.
The PFA were criticised along with the FA by the family of West Brom hero Jeff Astle for failing to react to the causes that brought about his death from dementia aged 59, in 2002. (Jeff Astle, known as the King at WBA, scored the goal that beat Everton in the 1968 Cup Final meaning that he had scored in every round of the competition. He also scored 168 league goals in his career and was capped 5 times. NOTE: I met Jeff when my company sponsored a shield for the winners of a youth tournament in the Midlands and I have a picture somewhere of him making the presentation.)
One good thing to come out of this is that it has triggered the relevant football authorities into conducting research into these diseases and, football being awash with money, they can well afford it. Perhaps the public at large will also benefit from their findings and that can only be a good thing.
But back to Lenny. He has been so down that he contemplated assisted suicide before the illness put him in a wheelchair prior to death but has now decided to fight it and raise money for the cause before his condition worsens. I know we will all wish him every success with his endeavours and a speedy return to good health. COME ON, YOU JB, WIN YOUR FIGHT!!!
