A landmark study has been launched to investigate possible ways to to reduce dementia risk in former professional footballers. Researchers have launched an appeal for 120 ex-stars aged 40 to 59 to come forward as volunteers.
Over recent years there has been growing awareness of the condition among sports stars. A compelling documentary film, Finding Jack Charlton, was made about the Ashington-born defender's fight with dementia before he died in 2020.
Jack's fellow World Cup hero and brother Sir Bobby Charlton has also been diagnosed with the condition, as has Toon legend and England Midfield Terry McDermott.
