Ex-Foxes star reveals his dementia diagnosis
FORMER DEFENDER THANKS EVERYONE WHO IS SUPPORTING HIM INCLUDING DAUGHTER OF ENGLAND WORLD CUP STAR JEFF ASTLE
FORMER Leicester City defender Colin Gibson has revealed he has early-onset dementia.
The 62-year-old confirmed his diagnosis via a statement from The Jeff Astle Foundation, while insisting he was currently “fit and well”.
Gibson made 73 appearances for the Foxes in the early 1990s, signing for David Pleat from Manchester United.
During a successful career, he also played for Aston Villa, helping the club win the First Division title, European Cup and European Super Cup in the early 1980s.
After Villa, he moved to Old Trafford amd spent five years there, working with Sir Alex Ferguson.
After his spell at Leicester ended in 1994, he briefly played for Blackpool before finishing his professional career at Walsall.
He said in a statement: “My wife, family and I believe now is the right time to let people know who have loyally supported me throughout my career, that back in November 2021 I was diagnosed with early-onset dementia.
“I am fit and well and able to do most things that I enjoy. I would like to thank the Hereford and Worcester Early Intervention Dementia Services and the PFA Dementia Team for all their help and support for Kim and I.
“I would also like to personally thank Dawn Astle from The Jeff Astle Foundation who has helped me and my wife especially in helping us reveal my condition. Dawn’s help and support has been truly amazing.
“Can I just say there is a lot of support for dementia, both in mainstream and sport and so many families are and will be affected.
“I will end on this request by asking if you or anyone that you know suspect that they or anyone may be suffering with dementia, don’t put your pride before your health and let people know. It helps believe me. Thank you.”
The Foxes sent a message to their for
mer player, posting on Twitter: “The thoughts of everyone at Leicester City are with former midfielder Colin Gibson.
“Colin played for the Foxes between 1990 and 1994, making 73 appearances for the club.”
Earlier this week, the Professional Footballers’ Association (PFA) launched a major consultation exercise in a bid to uncover the full extent of the dementia problem in English football.
Dawn Astle – daughter of ex-England forward Jeff Astle, whose death at the age of 59 was, according to a coroner, caused by repeated heading of the ball – is project lead for neurodegenerative diseases (NDD) in Football at the PFA, who want to speak to former players and their families who have concerns about potential conditions but have not received a formal diagnosis.