'I hope it makes people sit up and take notice': Dawn Astle hopes diagnosis of Sir Bobby Charlton and death of Nobby Stiles can act as a 'turning point' for football's relationship with dementia, having tirelessly campaigned for father Jeff

Daily Mail | November 2, 2020

Dementia campaigner Dawn Astle hopes Sir Bobby Charlton's diagnosis will represent a turning point in how professional football treats the issue.

Former Manchester United and England great Charlton is one of five members of the 1966 World Cup-winning team to suffer the condition.

Charlton's diagnosis follows the deaths of his older brother Jack Charlton, in July, and fellow World Cup-winner Nobby Stiles on Friday. Both had also been diagnosed with dementia.

Dementia campaigner Dawn Astle hopes Sir Bobby Charlton's diagnosis will help football

Four members of the 1966 team, Stiles (second from top left), Martin Peters (bottom row far left), Jack Charlton (top row middle) and Ray Wilson (top row second from right), who experienced World Cup glory have died since 2018 after living with dementia

The dementia campaigner said she hopes it makes football 'stand up and take notice'

Sir Bobby's wife, Lady Norma Charlton, expressed hope that the knowledge of his diagnosis, reported by the Telegraph, may help others.