It was Norah Mercer who raised the alarm.
The wife of the legendary Manchester City manager and Everton and Arsenal stalwart Joe was speaking to GP and family friend John Rowlands before her husband passed away in 1990 after suffering with Alzheimer's disease.
'She said, "Whenever I attend the funerals of players from Joe's era, the vast majority have suffered from dementia",' Dr Rowlands recalls 30 years later.
'She was also aware of many others who were suffering but were still alive.'
Man City legend Joe Mercer's wife Norah raised the alarm to Dr Rowlands after his death
Mrs Mercer's observation set in motion a chain of events which still haunt Dr Rowlands.