England World Cup winner Geoff Hurst has backed the campaign to ban heading in grassroots football. The 78-year-old, who lives in Cheltenham, has also offered his brain to medical science as concern mounts over the links between heading and dementia.
Speaking to Sky News the ex-England player said, “Off the top of my head, I don’t see any reason why I shouldn’t donate my brain.”
This support comes after many of Hurst’s 1966 teammates have died or been diagnosed with dementia. Sir Bobby Charlton, 83, is just one of our many football legends to have developed the disease while teammate Nobby Stiles, 78, died in October from dementia and prostate cancer.
But this is not a new issue, back in 2002 Former England and West Brom striker Jeff Astle, 59, died from what the coroner described as an ‘industrial injury.’ It is believed to be a result of repeated head trauma caused by heading footballs.
Astle’s family told BBC news after his death that “there is a need for urgent action”
The FA and PFA have commissioned a study to research the possible link between heading a ball and the development of dementia in football players. Research suggests that players experience repeated concussion from heading which causes Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE) which develops to dementia later in life.
Figures from studies have shown that professional players are three and a half times more likely to develop dementia than any other person.
Specialists believe that the removal of the heading will reduce the risk of developing dementia.
Dr Bennet Omalu told BBC Radio 5 Live, “…we need to restrict heading of the ball, it is dangerous,” he went on to say “It does not make sense to control an object travelling at a high velocity with your head,”
Rachel Walden, daughter of the late Rod Taylor, spoke in agreement with the specialists, “We can’t wait for them to die before we start helping them. We need to start helping them now.”
With evidence and fact backing the ban of heading in the game how does the younger generation of football fans feel about the movement?
University of Gloucestershire Sports Journalist student Luka Foley said, “ I don’t personally have anything against heading, but maybe they should put some regulations in especially for the younger children that play.”
Football fan Elle Lucas said, “For me the removal of heading would have an exponential impact on the game, there would be severe impacts on VAR decisions.”
The FA told Sky News it has a “clear and unwavering commitment” to battling dementia in football.
See the Sky News article here https://www.theguardian.com/football/2020/nov/18/dementia-in-football-sir-geoff-hurst-supports-ban-on-children-heading-balls
