Brain injury epidemic coming due to headers, warns Nobby Stiles’ son

John, who founded campaign group Football Families for Justice, said afterwards that women’s football was “a particular concern” that “really needs to be addressed”.

He added: “Tragically the brain injuries epidemic will grow as so many more girls play football: women’s brains are even more susceptible to damage from heading.”

However, he also said: “Anybody who heads the ball is very likely to get this disease and, for God’s sake, we must do something about it now.”

He said a “proper fund” was needed for when ex-players go into a care home, adding funding form the Premier Leaguer and players union, the Professional Footballers’ Association (PFA), was not “adequate”.

Six years ago, former Southampton and England player Sue Lopez, one of the pioneers of the women’s game, revealed she had dementia and cited heading as the likely cause.