King after more help for former players

HEYDAY: King in 1974

BRYAN KING counts himself lucky that, after a lifetime in the game playing for Millwall and scouting for top Premier League clubs, he’s still got all his faculties.

Sadly for some of his former team-mates and friends in the game, later life has not been so charitable with dementia ravaging many of his contemporaries.

King, 73, holds the record for the most appearances by a Millwall goalkeeper (339) and is living the quiet life in Norway after 27 years talent-spotting players in Scandinavia for Everton, Tottenham and Aston Villa.

After taking numerous whacks to the head and face King is grateful he has not suffered any lasting damage.

But in his new book, The Lions’ King, he has given a frightening glimpse into the lack of protection for players in the 60s and 70s.

“Looking back, it’s no wonder players are being struck down by dementia and it’s an absolute disgrace how little action has been taken by the authorities to help these guys,” he said.

“I remember at the time being thankful I only had to save those leather balls and didn’t have to head them.

“And when I think that defenders and forwards were heading them most days of the week, it makes me shudder.

“I can still recall Millwall’s backroom staff throwing a few of the warm-up balls we’d be giving visiting teams into a bath full of water to soak for a couple of days before a game!

“I used to call those balls instruments of war when they were wet.

“But players of our era were told we’d all be all right.

“Instead, it’s fallen to the families of players to force the change in attitudes.”

The Lions’ King is out November

26, available to pre-order from littlehellbooks.com,

£19.99 hardback