League legends offer support to dementia claims

Rugby league greats including Great Britain legend Martin Offiah last night threw their support behind former players suing the Rugby Football League over claims of negligence.

Bobbie Goulding is one of 10 former players taking legal action against the governing body over its failure to protect them from brain injuries caused by concussion during their careers.

Goulding, Paul Highton and Jason Roach are part of a test group of 10 ex-professionals involved in the action who have been diagnosed with early-onset dementia and probable chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), a progressive brain condition thought to be caused by repeated blows to the head.

Iconic former Wigan winger Offiah, 54, said: “We knew when we took the field that we were putting our bodies in harm’s way. Physically, I’m living with some of the results of that, although I don’t know where I am mentally because I haven’t been tested.

“There is a sense of ‘out of sight, out of mind’ when players retire, but they shouldn’t be cast aside. Pressure is put on players to get back on the field because they’re looking to get another contract in a sport which pays a relative pittance.”

Former prop Karl Harrison, who played for England alongside Goulding and Offiah, said: “The duty of care wasn’t there when we played. I can remember getting knocked out and playing the week after – and even coming back on the field during a game after being knocked out.

“It’s probable that the concussions suffered in our era were never properly logged because the level of medical care wasn’t what it is now.

“My brother Paul played professionally and is suffering with memory loss. There could be hundreds of ex-players in a similar position.”