‘I was grasping, trying to find out what was going on. Now I know’
Blues legend Steve has dementia
LEEK Town legend Steve Norris has revealed he has early-stage dementia.
The former Blues midfielder, who converted to a defender later in his career, has dementia with Lewy Bodies (DLB), which is a Parkinson’s diseaseassociated dementia, rare in those under 65 years of age.
The 61-year-old enjoyed an illustrious time at Harrison Park, making 393 appearances across two spells.
He initially joined Leek from Port Vale on loan in 1978 and after a stint away from the club returned to help them to the league title in 1990 as well as playing in their FA Trophy defeat by Barrow at Wembley.
Norris managed the club in 1994/95 in the Southern League, finishing in seventh place, before departing.
Away from football, he spent three decades working in the fire service – and it was at work where he first realised there was something wrong with his health.
“I worked in the fire service for 30 years and at the same time played non-league football,” said Norris.
“I took retirement and then went to work with a local housing charity, as a Transitional Advisor, supporting people to get access to training (as an aid to get them employment) particularly those that were homeless.
“I did that for three or four years and then changed roles, moving charities – something in the same mould.
“The systems were slightly different and I couldn’t get to grips with them.
“Clients’ files were more paperbased and I couldn’t process the order things had to be kept in, whilst it was logical, but I found it really difficult but couldn’t understand why.
“I felt too embarrassed to voice this and instead resigned at 60.
“Me and my wife noticed a few things that were different about me. It was
little things like forgetting where I’d put something or carrying out ‘everyday’ tasks. I began to struggle to put the lead on the dog and things I had done daily for years.
“Dementia runs in the family, my dad and auntie both suffered from different strains.”
Norris concedes that his lengthy career in football played a part in his diagnosis. And he says more preventative steps can be taken.
“I am torn on the heading issue. Whenever we had a training session I would be heading 30 balls away,” he explained.