Liverpool legend Terry McDermott becomes the latest football legend to be diagnosed with dementia… with tragic news coming just days after Manchester United icon Denis Law also confirmed he has the brain disease
Liverpool legend Terry McDermott has been diagnosed with dementia, making him the latest former footballer to have announced they have the brain disease.
McDermott, 69, made 329 appearances for the club in total between 1974 and 1982, and also earned 23 England caps.
It has been confirmed that the former midfielder is in the early stages of Lewy Body dementia after several tests.
But despite this, McDermott has insisted he plans to tackle the fight bravely, and says he is ‘not frightened’ by the incurable condition.
‘I’ve got to get on with it and I will. It’s the way I’ve been brought up,’ he said. ‘Nothing has come to me easily. I’m not frightened of taking it on and also, as we’ve seen, there are a lot of former players in a worse state than me.
‘Battling is second nature. The worst thing was, until my condition was diagnosed you don’t know what’s going on. The number of ex-players being diagnosed with dementia or Alzheimer’s is frightening.’
Liverpool legend Terry McDermott has been diagnosed with dementia, it has been confirmed
Anfield great McDermott was in attendance for Liverpool’s Premier League victory over Burnley on Saturday, and the club have offered their support.
Sharing a heartfelt message from McDermott himself to their followers on social media, Liverpool said: ‘We’re all with you, Terry’.
McDermott is widely considered to be one of the greatest ever midfielders in their history, and was signed from Newcastle United in 1974.
After joining, he memorably went on to win four league titles, three European Cups, the UEFA Cup and two League Cups.
His heroics were recognised, too, with McDermott named as the winner of the PFA Player of the Year and FWA Footballer of the Year awards in 1980.
And having been there in person at the start of the season to cheer on the team, McDermott says he is keen to keep on going to the stadium.
‘I’ve been looking forward to going down to Anfield and seeing the lads, people I have known for years and having a good craic with them,’ he added. ‘Thankfully there are games coming up regularly now which I can go to.’
The tragic revelation comes just days after Manchester United icon Denis Law admitted he is battling with Alzeheimer’s and vascular dementia.
More to follow.
