Terry McDermott joins some famous names who are battling dementia

Former Liverpool midfielder Terry McDermott has revealed he has been diagnosed with dementia.

McDermott, 69, announced on Liverpool’s official website that he is in the early stages of Lewy Body dementia following hospital tests.

McDermott is not alone in battling the condition, with the Football Association supporting two ongoing research studies examining ex-professionals for early signs of neurocognitive degeneration.

England World Cup winners Nobby Stiles, Jack Charlton, Ray Wilson and Martin Peters are among those to have died from the disease.

Here, the PA news agency takes a look at some of the former players known to be battling dementia.

Jimmy Calderwood, 66

Rugby Union – 2008 Bank Of Scotland Corporate Autumn Test – Scotland v Canada – Pittodrie Stadium — Jimmy Calderwood guided Aberdeen to the last 32 of the UEFA Cup (Simon Price/PA)

Sir Bobby Charlton, 83

Sir Bobby Charlton File Photos — Sir Bobby Charlton is one of five members of England’s World Cup-winning side to be diagnosed with dementia (PA)

Gordon Cowans, 62

Soccer – Barclays Premier League – Aston Villa v Southampton – Villa Park — Gordon Cowans made more than 400 appearances for Villa and was later part of the club’s coaching staff (Nick Potts/PA)

Chris Nicholl, 74

Walsall v Aston Villa – Pre-Season Friendly – Banks’s Stadium — Chris Nicholl, pictured at a Walsall pre-season match in 2019 (Nick Potts/PA)

Gordon McQueen, 69

Jimmy Millar, 86

ON THIS DAY: 1955 – #Rangers signed Jimmy Millar, one of the club’s greatest players: http://t.co/n4iODL20L1 pic.twitter.com/oa8g6GAdHN

— Rangers Football Club (@RangersFC) January 12, 2015

The family of former Rangers striker Jimmy Millar went public with his diagnosis in May 2017, by which point he had already been suffering with it for a decade. Millar scored 162 goals for the Ibrox club, forming a famous partnership with Ralph Brand.