Sir Alex Ferguson today makes an unprecedented intervention in Scottish politics. Never before has our greatest ever football manager stepped into the Scottish political fray in this way.
That he chose this issue at this time shows just how important the issue of dementia in former footballers is to him and to the game he loves. This builder of great teams has done it again. Assembled around him is a team of legendary figures from across our national game. And what a line up it is.
These players have given us untold joy for club and country – the highs enjoyed all the sweeter for the lows we endured with them. Those closest to my own heart wore the tangerine and black of my beloved Dundee United.
They were led by Jim McLean that irascible genius who we lost to dementia in 2020. A talented centre forward who as a manager moulded teams that waltzed across Europe. Now just one of many former players lost to this dreadful disease.
There is no team in Scotland who has not lost legends to neurodegenerative conditions. Gordon McQueen - who graced the dark blue of Scotland and would have walked into the team tonight against Georgia at Hampden - is the latest tragic loss.
A few years before his death I introduced my son to Jim McLean in a Dundee café. My boy cannot remember it – but he received a hug and a smile from a man who gave my own father and I our happiest days.
Mr McLean as his wife said “was not well” when they met but these two United fans shared a wee moment to be treasured. We talk about it when we pass Jim’s statue on the way into Tannadice.
Memories are what make a life. The loss of their memories is the cost so many of these players are paying for making memories for us. They deserve our support now.
As we watch ever more players succumb to brain injuries and resultant disease we know this was caused by their careers. Because the science is clear. Football players are 3.5 times more likely to suffer from brain injuries as the average man in the street. In some positions - at centre half – it is five times as much.
The only common factor is that they were footballers. Their brain injuries were incurred simply doing their jobs. For us. For our entertainment and for our memories.
This has left so many of them struggling alone, or with their loved ones, to deal with the heart-breaking new reality of living with neurodegenerative diseases.
We owe them the recognition of those simple, inarguable facts. We owe them our support to make their lives better and a little easier.
Football is something that unifies us all and our campaign is one that offers that rarity in Scottish politics; the chance for genuine consensus across all parties and none. We can all be on the same team.
This game and its players means so much to so many of us. We can’t repay the joy - or heartbreak - they’ve given us.
But we can make sure they live comfortable, dignified lives. Even in their injury time.
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