I’ve seen up clo players and thei Se what this does to former r families, and it’s horrendous
He nodded Scotland all the way to the 197
Joe Jordan has applauded the Scottish FA for introducing measures which will reduce the amount of times players head the ball during training.
Drills which could involve repeated heading should be carried out no more than once a week, and headers have been banned completely on the day before and the day after matches.
After extensive medical research into footballers diagnosed with dementia, these new guidelines are designed to help safeguard footballers at all levels in Scotland.
With former players three-anda-half times more likely to die of dementia than people of the same age range not involved in the game, it was clear action was required.
Scotland legend Jordan – whose prowess in the air was exceptional – has seen many former team-mates – such as his close friend and former team-mate, Gordon Mcqueen – being diagnosed with the disease.
Jordan knows the damage has
I have grandsons who love playing football, but there’s no way I’d let them head the ball every day
been done for his generation, but hopes the next wave of footballers can now be protected.
The man who scored with a header to get Scotland to the 1974 World Cup Finals told The Sunday Post: “Something had to be done.
“The announcement from the SFA is good news, and it has to be followed at every level and every age group,upanddownthecountry.
“I have grandsons, and there is no way I’d let them head the ball every day.
“They love playing football, but I would not encourage them to practise headers every day.
“Sure, deal with a high ball or a cross-ball during a match – but that should be it.
“The days of heading the ball every day in the school playground, and then at night with your amateur team, are gone.
“It’s not necessary for youngsters to do this, and coaches need to make sure that it doesn’t happen.
“The guidance is now there in black and white. It’s clear for all to see. This will help save families from a lot of heartache and, ultimately, save lives.
“I’ve seen up close what this does to former players and their families, and it is absolutely horrendous.
“So the game had to do something to stop players from worrying about their quality of life once they stopped playing.
“We should want all players to enjoy their retirement.
“They shouldn’t have that jeopardised, depending on how many balls they headed in training every day and during games.
“It’s not fair that they should be worried about it leading to dementia, or any other brain injuries.
“Of course, I accept that heading is a part of the game, and set-pieces are so important. But the game will find a way of evolving.
“We still need to produce a highquality product for the supporters, and I’m sure the game will be able to do that.
“Some beautiful, and important, goals have been scored with headers down through the years. However, there needs to be a limit to it in training during the week.
“So let’s applaud the SFA and the medical experts. I’m 100% behind them.
“It’s too late for my generation, but this is good news for every player, at amateur and professional level, moving forward.”
It remains to be seen if other associations will follow the SFA’S lead.
Their announcement came as Jordan was settling down to watch the second week of the World Cup Finals in Qatar.
Having played for Scotland in the 1974, 1978 and 1982 Finals, he knows what it’s like to be a part of the tournament.
So he is disappointed not to see Steve Clarke’s squad involved, but hopes to see them in the 2026 showpiece.
However, before that, Euro 2024 in Germany is on the horizon and Jordan – 71 later this month – wants to see Scotland there.
He said: “I’ve enjoyed some of the games in Qatar, and there has been quality, drama and plenty of talking points.
“The tournament looks wide open, and I think there could be one or two more shock results to come.
“As a neutral, it’s nice to see some of the underdogs producing upsets here and there. It makes everything more interesting.
“Of course, it would be so much better if we were involved but we just couldn’t get past that final hurdle.
“For me, the tournament is just not the same without Scotland.
“We need to learn from it, and I’m sure Steve and his players will. The focus is now on Euro 2024, and we do not want to miss out on that.
“The standard of players we have is very good, and we appear to be in a strong position.
“Sure, the section we are in is not easy but, come March, when the qualifiers get under way, we need to be ready for Spain and Norway.
“Football is all about small, small margins. You see it in every game, especially at this level.
“I mean, it is incredible that Italy isn’t there. A World Cup without Italy, the European champions?
“It’s just not right. But look at how they exited – small margins.
“There is also a need for depth in every squad when you go to a major Finals. We can see that just now in Qatar.
“Steve will be aware of that, but we have some really good options in the squad. But, the more the merrier.”
Jordan’s disappointment at not seeing Italy in Qatar is natural.
He spent a chunk of his career there at AC Milan and Verona, and his family loved the Italian way of life. Indeed, his daughter now lives there.
Jordan is pleased to see a few Scots playing there just now and said: “I was 29 when I moved to Italy, and I loved it.
“I only wish I had moved there earlier in my career. But it was difficult for a couple of reasons, such as there being no freedom of contract and the foreigner rule in Italian football.
“But I embraced it all, on and off the park. We immersed ourselves in the way of life over there.
“The football was brilliant and I made friends there, friends I still have to this day.
“We still get over there as often as we can, and we feel so comfortable in Italy. It’s a great country.
“That’s why I’m pleased to see Scottish lads there, such as Josh Doig and Lewis Ferguson. They are doing very, very well.
“Aaron Hickey also had a great spell with Bologna in Serie A, so it’s all good news for the national team as we move forward.”