Former footballers three times more likely to die of dementia, study confirms

A study commissioned by the FA has found former footballers are three times more likely to die of dementia.

The FIELD study, led by the University of Glasgow and funded by the FA and PFA, revealed the impact of a career on the health of former footballers.

The causes of deaths of over 7,000 former Scottish players born between 1900 and 1976 were compared to those of more than 23,000 men from the general population.

The study looked into rates of different neurodegenerative disease subtypes, including Alzheimer's, motor neurone disease and Parkinson's.

Neuropathologist Dr Willie Stewart said: "This analysis revealed that risk ranged from a 5-fold increase in Alzheimer’s disease, through an approximately 4 fold increase in motor neurone disease, to a 2 fold Parkinson’s disease in former professional footballers compared to population controls.”

Over 7,000 former Scottish players born between 1900 and 1976 were studied (Getty Images/EyeEm)

The FIELD study was unable to determine exactly what caused the increased rates of dementia, amid concerns concussions and the heading of previously designed football have been responsible.

The Mirror has long highlighted the issue after former England star Jeff Astle died from the disease in 2002, aged 59.

World Cup 1966 heroes Nobby Styles, 77, Martin Peters, 75, and Ray Wilson, who died last year aged 84, all developed dementia.

Three 1966 World Cup England heroes developed dementia (Mirrorpix)

Elsewhere, former professional footballers lived three and a quarter years longer on average, and were less likely to die of many diseases such as heart disease or lung cancer.

FA chairman Greg Clarke added: "This is the most comprehensive study ever commissioned into neurodegenerative disease in former professional footballers. We welcome its findings and thank Dr Willie Stewart for diligently leading this important research.

“The whole game must recognise that this is only the start of our understanding and there are many questions that still need to be answered. It is important that the global football family now unites to find the answers and provide a greater understanding of this complex issue. The FA is committed to doing all it can to make that happen."