Dawn Astle has agreed to lead a dedicated dementia department in the Professional Footballers’ Association as part of the union’s push to ensure support for former players with neurodegenerative diseases is “a top priority”. Last month marked 20 years since Astle’s father, Jeff, the former England and West Brom forward, died aged 59 from accumulated brain trauma.
The PFA’s chief executive, Maheta Molango, who was appointed last June, said he was “acutely aware that this is just the first step”. Astle will speak to current players to help raise awareness.
