Football should be made to pay
Your story about the betrayed former football heroes with dementia was spot on (Mirror, Aug 24).
People like Queen’s Park Rangers legend Stan Bowles and many others deserve the full support of the current multi-millionaire Premier League players and clubs.
Not only does your article show the football community in a bad light, but also the failure of the state to support people. As a QPR fan I was proud to attend the benefit match for Stan – he deserved nothing less.
Money going into the game should be shared with all leagues as top players will have insurance, while those lower down will not. Gary Martin, East London
# Well done to the fans who have raised much-needed funds for pay for care and treatment of former players who are now suffering from dementia. Their efforts shame the clubs and current players who make vast fortunes from ticket sales and TV rights. I believe that money is spoiling “the beautiful game”. Players and managers with their millions live on another planet to the rest of us. They are fortunate they’ll never have to struggle financially like many of the players of yesterday, should they be unlucky enough to get this dreadful disease. A McMahon Gateshead, Tyne & Wear
# These ex-players gave a lot of pleasure to the public during their careers. I think the Professional Football Association has a responsibility to try to look after those who are now suffering from Alzheimer’s.
I also admire Manchester United’s Juan Mata for donating 1% of his salary to charity – and believe we should get every Premier League player to do this.
My wife has just been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s at 53, so I understand what it’s like for these former players and their families. M Kennedy, via Mirror.co.uk
# I have all the sympathy in the world for these former football players, and the FA should do more to help them. I also believe that any money donated by the football world should go to finding a cure for this terrible disease so as to benefit all dementia sufferers. Roger Grant Thurnscoe, South Yorkshire
# My father suffered from Alzheimer’s. He worked down the pit, sometimes seven days a week, yet the Government didn’t pay for his care. It is sad for anyone and their families who have this terrible disease, and footballers are no different in this regard. Mick Streets, Chesterfield, Derbys
# It is so sad that our football heroes of the 60s and 70s have been left to suffer in this way, especially when the FA could do more to help. My grandad died from this disease and it was awful to watch him suffer. Jane Weir Walsall, West Mids
# I am old enough to remember those heavy leather balls in the 60s and 70s – they were as hard as a block of wood and even worse when wet. I just hope something will be done to help these players and their families. Ray Bennett, via email
# I spotted a recent report about the American version of Peep Show being axed (Mirror, August 22).
Why is it that our comedies have to be turned into US versions before airing over there?
Dad’s Army, Fawlty Towers and other British sitcoms have been remade for the US, but have usually failed because the humour has been lost.
Can’t they understand a sitcom set in Britain? Bill Dodwell Cheltenham, Glos
# Well done to former England captain and record goal scorer Wayne Rooney for accepting it’s time to retire from international football.
Not for him the numerous 10-minute cameo appearances, à la David Beckham, in order to gain a record. Barbara Manning Hexham Northumberland