PFA chief executive Maheta Molango deserves praise as football authorities are ‘serious on dementia now’, says wife of former England captain Dave Watson
Maheta Molango deserves praise for showing dementia in football is high on the agenda of the ‘new PFA’, says Penny Watson, the wife of ex-England captain Dave Watson.
Dave, 75, is one of many former footballers living with dementia and Penny is a tireless campaigner who wants the authorities to recognise how rife neurodegenerative disease is in the game.
Molango replaced Gordon Taylor as chief executive in July and in a statement sent to Sportsmail, Penny said: ‘I have openly criticised the PFA.
New PFA chief executive Maheta Molango is working to tackle football’s dementia problem
Dave Watson’s wife Penny (left) has spoken about the former defender’s battle with dementia and been one of many to shed light on football’s uncomfortable links with the illness
‘But that was the old regime who, up until recently, even denied there was a connection between playing and developing “footballers’ dementia”.
‘Now I am pleased to say my attitude towards the new PFA has changed as their new CEO Maheta Molango, I believe, has the dementia situation high on his agenda.
‘I have hope he will be a true leader of the players’ union and fight on their behalf as any union leader should do for its members.
‘Let’s all give Maheta a chance to prove himself. But if he fails I shall be the first to criticise.’
Dave Watson, centre, was described as ‘the forgotten England captain’ by his wife after a lack of support from the PFA amid his battle with dementia
Watson (left) was the kingpin of a Sunderland side who won the 1973 FA Cup against Leeds
Advertisement