Not sure if this has been mentioned previously, but the first time I have heard of it.
His wife was on Radio Leeds tonight talking about caring for John, who has been suffering with dementia for a while and it was like looking after a 6 foot 14 stone 4 year old child in a mans body.
So sad to hear about one of Leeds all time great wingers for those lucky enough to see him play.

Just seen the interview with Atky's missus on Look North. Heart breaking.

Just been on Look North, interview with John's wife.
Incredibly sad and moving interview.

Watch: Former rugby league star on his dementia care bbc.in/1To70Dp via @BBCNews

Watch: Former rugby league star on his dementia care bbc.in/1To70Dp via @BBCNews

Very sad,Atkinson and Smith probably our best ever pair if wingers.

Watching a loved one, or anybody close to you, suffering/deteriorating because of dementia is an awful experience

Spot on and very sad. John has suffered with dementia for 5 years now.
My favorite winger and a top bloke.
He used to enjoy his nights out at the Chained Bull too in his younger days.
My heart goes out to John and his wife,

What a terribly heartbreaking situation to have befallen John and Carol which has destroyed their retirement years with no hope of improvement. I have many memories of Atky's marvelous achievements on the rugby field which date back to playing in the same school team which John did when he was a year younger than the rest of us. I followed his career after he signed for Leeds and was fortunate to witness most of his many tries. To see him now is tragic and for Carol it is worse than tragic. It would be nice to think that the supporters club might organize some support which could include taking him to some matches which would give Carol some relief.

Cracking idea Juan.

Juan's idea a great idea...

It was John Atkinson (and co) that got my father,brother and myself into been weekly supporters after watching the 1978 cup final on TV. Prior to this we had been Leeds Utd supporters. I remember my dad getting us all to sit down and watch a "winning" team that had got to Wembley two years running. It was this "winning" team that started us on the road to paying support. Little did we know. Lol. Still..it got us well and truly hooked on 'the greatest game of all'

I have had no personal experience of dementia but it seems a terrible thing to have to witness.

the full interview is here, it's very sad, I hope they can find some support as John's wife's outlook in very worrying. I full understand her not wanting to put John into a home, but from the looks of it the situation is understandably dragging her down to a point where she is thinking she has only one option. I lost my dad to Alzheimers, we made the incredibly difficult decision to put him into care when it got to the stage where it felt as though the stress of trying to cope would kill my mum before it killed him, doing so felt like an total betrayal. www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p04x2ldh

the full interview is here, it's very sad, I hope they can find some support as John's wife's outlook in very worrying. I full understand her not wanting to put John into a home, but from the looks of it the situation is understandably dragging her down to a point where she is thinking she has only one option. I lost my dad to Alzheimers, we made the incredibly difficult decision to put him into care when it got to the stage where it felt as though the stress of trying to cope would kill my mum before it killed him, doing so felt like an total betrayal. www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p04x2ldh

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Juan
I also watched Look North last night and felt saddened by what I saw. I'm not a leeds fan but do recall John in years gone by as a player and indeed a legend of your club. I also had the pleasure of meeting him professionally about 18 years ago, when I was the only person in the room who knew he'd played the game and at what level. He gave no indication of who he was, what he'd achieved etc but that day I shot home and got out my old John Player year books so I could take them in to work the next day to demonstrate to my colleagues just who it was they'd met the previous day.
I too thought last night that if there is one thing some organisation like the supporters club could do is something like you suggest...take him to the game, out to the pub to watch a game etc.
I think it's potentially a great idea assuming he still enjoys the game. One of the sad things about dementia is he may not even know he's a legend!
A final thought and it's not meant nastily...but if he agrees to a game one of the things really hit me last night watching the show is it's not just the memory failing it's stuff like he's averse to a shower etc...the sort of thing most people will instantly judge somebody by!
Best wishes to John and family.

I started watching Leeds in 1980 so only saw the back end of Atkys Leeds career but him and Alan Smith are true legends of our club.

Very sad to hear about this.

I spoke to John in Leeds city centre a few years back when on my way to a game. A true gent.

Wish him and his family all the very best.