- Ian Alexander was diagnosed with a condition likely caused by blows to the head
- The risk of swallowing his tongue has seen him placed on a strict soft-food diet
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Bristol Rovers great Ian Alexander has revealed he has been given just a few years to live by doctors after being diagnosed with a degenerative brain condition.
Alexander, 61, was found to have chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), a condition believed to be caused by repeated head injuries, in May after undergoing scans and has since suffered from a sharp decline in his health.
He has been placed on a soft-food diet due to the risk of him swallowing his tongue and anxiety attacks have prevented him from attending his former club’s matches.
‘The doctors gave me two to six years, but they say I’m quite fit,’ he told The Guardian. ‘I’m not going to give in. I’m going to fight it till the end.
‘I’ve got a good team around me with my wife and kids. And once the word gets out to 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 sustained during their careers. The families of the late Nobby Stiles and Joe Kinnear are also part of the High Court claim.
The majority have remained anonymous but Alexander is now the second player to go public after Colin Gibson, a 1982 European Cup winner with Aston Villa.
‘I just want more people to know about brain injuries suffered by footballers,’ Alexander added.
‘I don’t care about getting money out of it. I just want to get the word out. About six months ago I was with four or five ex-players in the pub.
The family of the late Nobby Stiles (pictured) are also part of the High Court claim
‘I was telling them about my problems and they said: “That’s strange, it’s happening to me as well.” There must be so many of them.
‘I just want to help educate them so more of them go to get help.’
Alexander recalled suffering from a faltering memory while working as a painter and decorator several years ago. However, he was repeatedly told by doctors that his symptoms were those of old age despite then being aged in his 50s.
His medical notes show he sustained at least four significant concussions during his career, which spanned almost 400 games over a 17-year period.
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