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Bristol Rovers great Ian Alexander has revealed that doctors have given him just a few years to live after being diagnosed with a degenerative brain disease.
Alexander, 61, was discovered in May after undergoing scans to have chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), a condition believed to be caused by repeated head injuries, and has since suffered a sharp decline in his condition. health.
He has been put on a soft food diet due to the risk of swallowing his tongue, and anxiety attacks have prevented him from attending his former club's matches.
An email from the Bristol Rovers Former Players' Association in January led to Alexander reporting for medical checks and his wife, Janet, is now awaiting a dementia diagnosis from the NHS, allowing him greater access to medications.
Alexander is often unable to sleep due to chronic headaches and tremors, but his treatment is currently limited to standard painkillers.
Bristol Rovers legend Ian Alexander has been diagnosed with a degenerative brain disease linked to repeated head injuries and doctors say he has a few years to live.
Alexander (right, pictured with Ian Holloway) has experienced a sharp decline in his health.
“The doctors gave me between two and six years, but they say I'm pretty fit,” he said. the guardian 'I'm not going to give up. I will fight until the end.
'I have a good team around me with my wife and children. And once the word gets out to the Rovers fans, I'll have them behind me too.”
Alexander has joined a group of around 20 former footballers taking legal action against the Football Association over brain injuries they suffered during their careers. The families of the deceased Nobby Stiles and Joe Kinnear are also part of the High Court claim.
Most have remained anonymous, but Alexander is now the second player to go public after Colin Gibson, winner of the 1982 European Cup with Aston Villa.
“I just want more people to know about brain injuries that football players suffer,” Alexander added.
'I don't mind making money from it. I just want to spread the word. About six months ago I was with four or five ex-players in the pub.
A group of around twenty former players takes legal action against the Football Federation
The family of the late Nobby Stiles (pictured) are also part of the High Court claim.
“I was telling them my problems and they said, “That's strange, it's happening to me too.” There must be many of them.
“I just want to help educate them so that more of them will go get help.”
Alexander recalled suffering memory loss while working as a painter and decorator several years ago. However, doctors repeatedly told him that his symptoms were those of old age, even though he was in his 50s at the time.
His medical notes show he suffered at least four major concussions during his career, which spanned nearly 400 games over a 17-year period.