THE wife of an Oxford United legend struggling with dementia has urged football’s authorities to take immediate action to protect players.

It comes after the publication of ground-breaking research which found former professionals were more likely to die from the disease.

John Shuker, the U’s record Football League appearance holder, was diagnosed with vascular dementia and Alzheimer’s two years ago.

In recent months his family have since witnessed a rapid and painful deterioration to the point where the 77-year-old now has a ten-second memory.

Campaigners have long argued there was a link between ex-players and neurodegenerative diseases.

The most well-known case is former England and West Brom striker Jeff Astle – who was five days younger than Shuker – and died in 2002 from what a coroner described as an “industrial injury”.

There has been anger since over a lack of progress, but this week saw a breakthrough with the publication of a study by Glasgow University.

It found, compared to the regular population, former professional footballers were three and a half times more likely to die from the conditions.

Oxford Mail:

  • Oxford United's players give John Shuker a guard of honour in December 1974 after he became the club's record appearance holder in the Football League

Lynn Shuker has seen first-hand the impact on her husband and welcomed the findings, but argued the Football Association and Professional Footballers’ Association have been far too slow to act.

She said: “I’m pleased the report has confirmed what I and many others thought about the link between football and dementia.

“This should have been conducted years ago and both the FA and the PFA should be ashamed of the way they have fudged the issue.

“I hope that immediate action is taken to prevent younger players falling prey to this devastating disease.”

The FA and PFA commissioned the study in 2017, the same year Shuker’s condition was diagnosed.

It was made possible by a digital database in Scotland, which allowed researchers to cross reference the medical records of more than 7,500 footballers born between 1900 and 1976.

FA chairman Greg Clarke stated it had not been possible to conduct such a study before, but said: “The whole game must recognise that this is only the start of our understanding and there are many questions that still need to be answered.

“It is important that the global football family now unites to find the answers and provide a greater understanding of this complex issue.

“The FA is committed to doing all it can to make that happen.”

Oxford Mail:

  • John Shuker leads Oxford United out for his testimonial against Manchester City in May 1972

Gordon Taylor, the PFA’s chief executive, said it was “incumbent on football globally to come together to address this issue in a comprehensive and united manner”.

He added: “Research must continue to answer more specific questions about what needs to be done to identify and reduce risk factors.”

Some progress has been made in the way concussion is handled, but there is a feeling the sport still does not take it seriously enough, especially during matches.

Growing calls have been made for temporary substitutes to allow a more thorough examination of players who suffer head injuries and Lynn Shuker knows further delays would put others at greater risk.

She said: “I just hope something is done quickly.

“Don’t keep doing more and more reports, get in neutral medical supervision, so players don’t keep playing when they are concussed.”

Lynn, who has lived in Bampton with John for 41 years, has also been frustrated about the level of support available to dementia sufferers generally.

Oxford Mail:

  • John Shuker with son Johnny before Oxford United's 125th anniversary dinner last year

“You do feel as if you are given the diagnosis and then sent away to just ‘get on with it’,” she said.

The disease brings other issues beyond memory loss and a problem with swallowing led to a brief stay in hospital earlier this month, which meant Shuker missed a planned appearance as United’s special guest.

Only Ron Atkinson has played more games than the Manchester-born defender, who nonetheless holds the U’s record for Football League appearances – 478 between 1962 and 1977.

There were hopes Shuker would be able to reschedule and attend this weekend’s game with Rochdale, but the visit is likely to be postponed again while he continues to recover.

Lynn knows this week’s findings come far too late for her husband’s generation, but wants to publicise the issue to limit the number of families who have to suffer.

“I’m angry for the present players,” she said.

“It has ruined our lives, there’s no way to make it pretty. Every day gets worse.

“Without our three children (Johnny, Hannah and Becky) I don’t know where we would be – they are certainly my lifeline.”