Hugh "Hughie" McIlmoyle with son Alan in front of a statue of Hugh "Hughie" McIlmoyle outside Brunton Park, the home of Carlisle United. (Alan McIlmoyle via SWNS)
By Elizabeth Hunter
A former pro football player who developed Alzheimer's from headers is set to watch Scotland's first World Cup in over 20 years.
Hugh "Hughie" McIlmoyle was scouted by Leicester City in 1960, after spending three years working in shipyards in Port Glasgow.
His professional career lasted 14 years, playing for teams across the country, including Wolverhampton Wanderers, Bristol City, Greenock Morton, and Carlisle United.
At the age of 78, Hugh was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease, which studies have now shown can be linked to repetitive heading of footballs in training and at matches.
Hugh, who now lives in a care home in Leicestershire, is set to watch Scotland's first World Cup matches in 28 years, with his son Alan.
"The disease has developed, but if I mention one of his old clubs is doing well, that gets a response," said Alan.
"It has developed to a stage where conversation is very restricted now, so football is one of the ways to get a good response from him.
Hugh "Hughie" McIlmoyle with son Alan. (Alan McIlmoyle via SWNS)
"The kickoffs are going to be very late, so it'll be repeats during the day we'll try to watch.
"A year ago, a football match would keep his attention, but we've got to the point now where there's less certainty that it will - but I'm determined to sit there and see how it goes with him."
During Hugh's time at Leicester City, he played in the 1961 FA Cup Final match against Tottenham Hotspur, before moving on to Rotherham United.
However, he made the biggest mark on Carlisle United, where he set a goal-scoring record during 1962 to 1964.
In 2005, to commemorate his success at the club, a statue was erected of Hugh heading a football outside Brunton Park, Carlisle's home stadium.
"He was thrown in at the deep end for the FA Cup Final in '61, and then basically went on a journey around the country to various clubs," said Alan.
"Carlisle was by far the club that he loved the most - he's still got the goal-scoring record at Carlisle, and his statue.
"It was unveiled in 2005 - I thought that was wonderful, because people often get statues once they've passed away, but dad was able to see that and be there at the unveiling."
However, by 2018, the long-term effects of Hugh's career were starting to show, as he was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease.
In 2021, the family moved mom and dad from Cumbria to Leicestershire so they could support them and Hugh went into the home in 2023.
"There had obviously been something wrong for a couple of years, but the official diagnosis was November 2018," said Alan.
Hugh "Hughie" McIlmoyle with wife Rosalyne in front of a statue of Hugh "Hughie" McIlmoyle outside Brunton Park, the home of Carlisle United. (Alan McIlmoyle via SWNS)
"After COVID, my mom was struggling and they moved down to Leicestershire to have a bit of support from family.
"They lived in a bungalow not too far from us, and it became obvious that they needed more support.
"Eventually, dad had to go into a care home.
"I sort of dreaded that, but in a way it ended up a good thing, because it helped mom a lot, and it helped my dad as well."
After eight months in residential care, Alan was made aware of the Professional Footballers' Association's Brain Health Fund, which provides support and funding for former professional players who have been affected by dementia and other brain conditions.
The PFA now pays 50% of Hugh's care home fees and also offered to pay for the specialist support group Alan was attending two days each week with his dad, which Alan says has been invaluable to his family.
"When we started sending Dad to that, it was obvious how good it was," said Alan.
"The football world is acknowledging that certain footballers are suffering from the effects of so much heading of the ball.
Hugh "Hughie" McIlmoyle at a walking football game. (Alan McIlmoyle via SWNS)
"It's the repetitiveness of it in training when you're a professional footballer, and that's the root cause of it."
Alan has begun sharing his family's story in honor of Care Home Week, which runs from June 15 to 21, and invites people to visit care homes - as Alan and hundreds of other families get together to watch the World Cup with their loved ones.
Alan hopes his father's story will raise awareness of the risks of excessive heading, and show other families affected that there is support available.
"I'm hoping that there will be less people feeling they're on their own and bewildered by it all now," said Alan.
"When this happens, you do have a lot of questions and doubts, wondering what's coming and how to handle the situation.
"I want to get the word out that help is available."
Mitesh Dhanak, board member of Championing Social Care and chair of the Care Home Open Week committee said: "Just like football, great care is all about teamwork, community and heart.
"This year we're embracing World Cup fever to show the nation's real heroes with dedication and passion – the people in social care.
"We want every care home to feel part of one big national team."
