Former Watford player says football caused dementia

A former Watford player says the head trauma he sustained in his football career is undoubtedly the cause of his dementia.

Walter Lees, 79, who played for the club between 1968 and 1976 as a centre-half and was known for his heading skills, recalled being "kicked in the head" multiple times in his playing days.

While his doctors cannot prove the link with football, Walter says he now "accepts" dementia was a risk he took.

He was diagnosed 10 years ago, and now struggles to remember whether he has eaten unless he writes it down.

The former player describes one incident when he received "a bicycle kick" to the head and was stitched up by the trainer.

"I went down to head the ball and a fella kicked me in the head... the blood was pouring out, they put a bandage on it but it soaked right through," he said.

"At half-time, the trainer stitched me up and the referee sent me back on, and I was still heading the ball."

Walter, who played centre-half in the number five shirt, says he can remember the names of former players but not what he did that morning.

"I wake up in the morning and I haven't a clue what I'm supposed to be doing. I have to write everything down," he said.

June, his wife, reminds him on a daily basis what he needs to do, and helps him during our conversation at their Hertfordshire home.

Described as a "rugged, dependable Scot" during his time at Watford, Walter grew up in the Gorbals, an area of Glasgow then notorious for its tough streets and gang culture.

"When the pubs shut on a Sunday at half past two, they came out the pub half drunk and they played football in the street... until someone broke a window," he said.

He played for the Boys' Guild in Glasgow and was invited up to Celtic FC. "They said 'we're going to put you into the junior (reserve) team'... I was playing alongside 20 and 30-year-olds and I was 15."

In order to improve his fitness, Walter attended a boxing gym and "hung a medicine ball from the rafters which I had to jump and head to strengthen my neck muscles".

In 1968 he was signed for Watford on a full-time contract and stayed for eight seasons. "We reached the semi-final against Chelsea, and Chelsea went on to win the FA Cup," said Walter.

Walter likened his time playing football to boxing. "You go in that ring and you don't know what's going to happen, like two people going to head a ball. You've got take that risk," he said.

"I think footballers now are more protected. I think the ball is not as heavy and you can't raise your legs as high anymore."

In 2019 the Football Association (FA) and Professional Footballers' Association jointly published the FIELD study, which found footballers were 3.5 times more likely to die from neurodegenerative diseases than the general population.

In 2024, the FA became the first national association to phase out heading in youth games.

Walter's club, Watford FC, have now joined a new county-wide accreditation scheme to make spaces more accessible for people living with dementia, with clearer signage, quieter environments and training for staff.

Dave Messenger, equality, diversity and inclusion lead at the club, said: "Watford FC has worked closely with Memory Support Hertfordshire to enhance our existing provision for supporters who are living with dementia."

Walter seems upbeat about his diagnosis. "I accept dementia and I live with it, but I'm certain that if I didn't play football I wouldn't have dementia.

"But I know a lot of people who don't have dementia and I'm still brighter than them," he laughed.

The FA has been approached for comment.

It stated recently: "We have introduced a number of proactive precautionary steps to review and address potential risk factors whilst ongoing research continues.

"This includes our introduction of heading guidance in both the professional and amateur game in England, and the optimisation of our concussion guidance as noted by the coroner during the inquest.

"We also continue to invest in and support multiple projects in order to gain a greater understanding of this area through objective, robust and thorough research."

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• https://www.bbc.co.uk/future/article/20260106-the-health-dangers-of-heading-the-ball-in-sport