RANGERS hero Graeme Souness has called on Scottish football chiefs to “pull their finger out” and offer more help to ex-players suffering from dementia.
The Ibrox legend, 71, is among a string of retired professionals who wish to see a permanent scheme set up for footballers and their families who experience living with the heartbreaking illness.
Graeme Souness is urging Scottish football’s governing bodies to offer more support to ex-players suffering from dementia[/caption]
Scotland and Manchester United icon Denis Law died in January after battling dementia[/caption]
Celtic hero Billy McNeill passed away in 2019 after a brave fight with dementia[/caption]
Ex-Aberdeen boss Jimmy Calderwood also passed away from the illness in January[/caption]
In England, former stars battling the disease, which causes debilitating memory loss and confusion, and their loved ones have been helped through a brain health fund.
The Professional Footballers’ Association and the English Premier League, which contributed £1.5million, set up the initiative two years ago.
But there is no comparable scheme north of the border and national team hero James McFadden, retired Hamilton Accies midfielder James McArthur, Still Game actor Sanjeev Kohli, and former Hibs striker and boss Mixu Paatelainen have joined Souness in calling for similar action.
In recent years Scotland has lost several ex-players to dementia, including Celtic’s European Cup-winning captain Billy McNeill, St Mirren and Manchester United defender Gordon McQueen, and Dundee United star Frank Kopel.
And in January, Scotland’s joint top-scorer Denis Law and former Aberdeen manager Jimmy Calderwood both passed away after being diagnosed with the life-limiting syndrome.
Earlier today, Souness and his fellow ex-players took part in the Shooting Stars charity football match at Falkirk Stadium to support Alzheimer Scotland – billed as Scotland’s version of Soccer Aid.
The former midfielder, who won seven trophies at Ibrox, told The Scottish Sun: “I think society’s done a great job in making a lot of people aware. The more we highlight it, the more people are aware of it.
“It will obviously bring more money in which ultimately, hopefully, they will find some cure. It’s difficult.
“I have ex-colleagues of mine who are suffering and it’s just the most tragic and horrible thing to see. I’m at a certain age now where you often think when I’m in the company of one of my teammates, you’re thinking ‘Is that coming my way’.
“It’s tragic for the person who’s the sufferer. But the impact that has on the families around them is devastating.
“They need to pull their finger out [football authorities]. This is a problem that’s not going away and will only get bigger.
“In the English Premier League there’s so much money washing around. They should be throwing fortunes at it and, hopefully, some of that will wash up here as well.
“We all have to play our part. We’re not doing enough.”
Asked if governing bodies, such as the SFA and the SPFL, should shoulder more responsibility, Souness added: “100 per cent.”
McFadden, 41, said: “It’s massive. Everybody’s well aware of it but the more you raise awareness the better.
“I’m not in great shape. But as soon as I was asked to come out and support such a good cause it was a no-brainer.
“I’m more than aware of it through friends and extended family. It’s horrible and tough to deal with, especially when you’re used to seeing someone fit and alert.”
He added: “I know there’s been a big campaign after playing in England and being a member of the PFA there. The more we can do the better.
“Certainly there needs to be more awareness and more willingness to help from the relevant bodies and hopefully that is the case.”
Kohli, 53, who played shopkeeper Navid Harrid in Still Game, said: “My dad has Alzheimer’s and he passed last year, so it’s very close to my heart. It’s a massive problem in Scotland and the world.
“I know three or four people who are affected directly by Alzheimer’s and dementia. It’s not just the individual, it’s all the people around them and the support they need.
“You can almost draw a line from when the Sky money came into football and there’s a generation of footballers before that who weren’t properly looked after, I’m talking about Billy McNeill’s generation.
“There’s a lot of money at the top end and they should be looking after everyone in the game.
“They should ringfence some money to help out those affected. It’s important that they [governing bodies] should be giving the cash injection.”
Paatelainen, 58, said: “Lots of people suffer from Alzheimer’s and dementia. Once it goes further it’s the families who suffer.
“I know personally, my grandparents. It’s not nice for the family when they don’t recognise them anymore.”
Asked about whether a similar fund involving governing bodies should be set up to help ex-players and their families experiencing dementia, the ex-Finland international added: “It would certainly help. It’s badly needed.
“Hopefully, more events like this will happen. It’s such a wide illness, so it would be great if there was governing body funding for this.”
McArthur, 37, added: “It affects so many people. It doesn’t get the attention it deserves.
“It affects people we know personally and could affect us going forward. It’s not for me to say what should be done but believe it deserves a lot more attention and care towards what happens to people who have it.”
The Brain Health Fund was set up by the English Professional Footballers’ Association in 2023 after top-flight chiefs donated £1m.
Bosses provided a further £500,000 last year and pledged to take on the costs of ex-pros already receiving dementia care.
Frank Kopel was diagnosed with vascular dementia in 2008 and died six years later aged 65.
His wife, Amanda, campaigned for under-65s living with dementia to have access to free personal care like those above that age.
In 2019, the Scottish Government announced that it would enshrine in law no-charge health services to those under 65.
Around 2,000 fans visited Falkirk Stadium to support Alzheimer’s Scotland and watch their footie heroes take to the pitch.
Ex-Hoops defender Rudi Vata, former Barcelona and Spurs striker Steve Archibald, and retired Rangers stars Lee McCulloch, Marvin Andrews and Nacho Novo also took part in the charity match.
After a 2-2 draw, Souness’ Scotland team beat Paatelainen’s international XI thanks to a winning penalty from ex-Glasgow Rocks basketballer Kieron Achara.
Dundee assistant manager Stuart Taylor, 50, was a lead organiser of the event and got involved after his dad’s diagnosis of dementia.
He said: “It’s been an absolutely brilliant day and it was fantastic to see so many people come along and enjoy themselves and watch these legends play for such a great cause.
“All of the players gave their time for free because many of them have personal experience of dementia.
“Alzheimer Scotland played a big part in my dad’s journey with dementia before he passed away in 2021. My family and I wanted to give something back to the charity and the game seemed the obvious way to raise funds and raise awareness too.”
Henry Simmons, Alzheimer Scotland chief executive, said: “It was a fantastic day and I’d like to say a huge thank you to Stuart Taylor, our volunteers, staff and all our sponsors.
“We’re delighted to have the support of these legends of sport and entertainment for what turned out to be an exciting game and a wonderful event.
“It was great to see so many families and fans come together and enjoy themselves.
“Having so many famous names supporting our cause really helps to get out the message that no one needs to face dementia alone – Alzheimer Scotland is here for you.”
PFA Scotland, the SFA, and the SPFL have been contacted for comment.
Ex-Dundee United star Frank Kopel died aged just 65 after a six-year struggle with vascular dementia[/caption]
Former Leeds, Manchester United and Scotland defender Gordon McQueen died in June 2023 after he was diagnosed with the disease[/caption]
