Managers to back study of ex-players

THE league Managers Association have stepped up their involvement in tackling dementia in football by backing a prominent study into retired players.

The collaboration will see the powerful union of managers in English football support the work of the SCORES project run by neuroscientist dr Michael Grey at the University of East Anglia. dr Grey told Sportsmail: ‘Many of the LMA members are ex-players and one of the specifics of what we have been discussing is getting their help to encourage managers and former managers to come to the project.

‘A good deal of their membership played the game at a high level and many of them over a period of many years. The LMA are concerned for the wellbeing of their members and their families. ‘The LMA are also particularly interested in the fact we have a study that is looking at women and the links between female players and dementia. There is a lot we all need to learn on this topic, so an endorsement from a group like that has a tremendous benefit in bringing people into the study.’ In a statement, LMA chief executive Richard Bevan, who has joined the board of Sport United Against dementia, said: ‘We are very pleased to support the SCORES project. Indeed the LMA’s overall support focuses on members both in the men’s and women’s game, as well as their immediate family members. ‘Assistance includes access to consultants, offering individual welfare rights and social care advice, physical health assessment and mental and emotional wellbeing support for family.’