In illness, stood for

BY KEITH MCLEOD k.mcleod@dailyrecord.co.uk IT WAS the news Scottish football had been dreading – the passing of a true legend two years after Billy McNeill’s family bravely revealed his battle with dementia.

The Record’s sister paper the Sunday Mail told of the anguish of Billy’s loved ones, who spoke out early in 2017 in order to help other families living with dementia.

It was the catalyst for the launch of a major fundraising drive for dementia research in the name of the Lisbon Lions skipper.

Money raised will be used to support the families of former footballers suffering from the brain condition.

Launching the fund in June 2017, four months after confirming Billy’s plight, the Celtic great’s wife Liz said: “After the first article, we got messages of support from people from all walks of life as well as the footballing community. It was overwhelming.

“We knew that we were not alone. A lot of families are going through the same thing.

“Billy had a great career and a great life playing football and we want to do everything we can to help raise money for further research into dementia.

“And for former and current players, any research into whether there is a link between heading the ball and the disease needs to be done now.

“That’s why I and the family are happy for Billy’s name to be used to help raise awareness and money for this vital research.”

The news meant that even in illness – as in health – Billy’s name became synonymous with courage and leadership.

Billy’s daughter-in-law Dr Yvonne McNeill is a clinical psychologist and became aware early on that his memory was deteriorating. She helped get him assessed and started on a