Quote: Mark Laurie "Cheers. I was not aware of that. It is very sad. Thinking back to those days, I do wonder if the late tackles and thuggery handed out to the real footballers was in part to blame for the premature deaths of great players like John Holmes, Dave Topliss and now Roger Millward. All three carried the tag of stop him and you will win.'"
There's been a spate of news in recent times regarding long term effects of playing sport. Three of the 1966 England World Cup winning side (Martin Peters, Ray Wilson and Nobby Stiles) are suffering from Alzheimers which is believed to be due to heading those old-style heavy leather footballs. Frank Worthington is another. There's several cases in American Football too.
Is it pure coincidence that Roger Millward developed cancer of the jaw having had it broken on numerous occasions during his playing days?
Actually proving causal links and liability for injuries and death is tricky, particularly in an age where financial and legal systems are stacked in favour of the interests of companies, organisations and the rich.
Brett Delaney's body is smashed and broken. If he was a horse, he'd have been shot several years ago, as Brian Clough once said of Eddie Gray. I'd be surprised if Delaney can stand up straight in 15 to 20 years time. Yet the club will get rid soon (there ends their responsibility) and the most of the fans won't give a toss.
