Football legend Denis Law diagnosed with mixed dementia

Footballing legend Denis Law has been diagnosed with dementia, according to his charity.

The Denis Law Legacy Trust says it is 'saddened' by the news.

In a statement, Law himself said: “I am at the point where I feel I want to be open about my condition. I have been diagnosed with ‘mixed dementia’, which is more than one type of dementia, in my case this being Alzheimer’s and Vascular dementia.

"This has been an extremely difficult year for everyone and the long periods of isolation have certainly not helped.

“It is an incredibly challenging and problematic disease and I have witnessed many friends go through this. You hope that it won’t happen to you, even make jokes about it whilst ignoring the early signs because you don’t want it to be true.

"You get angry, frustrated, confused and then worried, worried for your family, as they will be the ones dealing with it."

Scottish former football player and manager, Davie Hay, told Clyde 1: "One of Scotland’s greatest all-time players.

"Gentleman as well. Other players who have played with him have been Billy McNeil, Stevie Chalmers and Bertie Auld – now Denis, it’s sad it’s happened to him.

"I think maybe heading those old sort of brick balls may be something to do with it.

"I think it’s possible because unlike the modern-day ball which appears to be lighter, it was morning training where you’re training with balls that when they got wet, they got extremely heavy.

"We played in the home championships, we played in the game where we beat Czechoslovakia to qualify at Hampden the previous year.

"It was a group we were together for five weeks so we got to know one another well.

"Apart from a great player, he was a great gent as well.

"He’s my boyhood hero. As a young kid watching him play against England and the great header he scored early 60s, and it was a great privilege to say I played with Denis Law."

Mark Williams, Chief Operating Officer of Denis Law Legacy Trust said:

"Denis is a fantastic patron of our organisation, Denis Law Legacy Trust, and we're all very grateful for the time and effort he puts in to help us achieve our collective goals.

"As a player, his grit and determination took him from the streets of Aberdeen to the pinnacle of world football and everyone at the Trust knows he will use that same strength now to take on this illness. We wish him the very best and applaud his bravery in being so open about the matter."

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