Families of former Middlesbrough players and coaches are backing a national campaign to reduce heading in football training. The Head Safe Football charity is launching a Government petition this week, supported by relatives of five former Boro figures affected by sports-related brain disease. The Northern Echo first reported the story.
Which former Middlesbrough families are involved?
The families of Bill Gates, Willie Maddren, Hugh McIlmoyle, Gordon McQueen and Nobby Stiles will be among the first to sign the petition. Tina White, widow of Goff White, will also sign to represent grassroots players and their families. Former Middlesbrough, Manchester United and England defender Gary Pallister has pledged his support to the campaign. These connections bring the issue directly to Teesside, where the club currently sits 5th in the Championship with 7 points from 4 games.
What does the petition demand?
Head Safe Football has five specific demands for the Government. They want a parliamentary debate on the petition and recognition of CTE caused by repetitive head impacts as a public-health issue. The charity seeks to make 'Think Head Safe: reduce heading in training' a national slogan. They also demand the Government works with sports governing bodies to cut heading in training through policy changes and accredited coach education. The fifth demand calls for the Department for Education to include brain-health education and HeadSAFE principles in teacher training and physical education programs.
What evidence supports the campaign?
The campaign points to research finding CTE in the brains of professional and amateur footballers, including young people. Head Safe Football cites evidence of increased neurological disease risks among footballers and recent US research that found CTE in at least one in four deceased NFL players. With more than five million children and 10 million adults playing football in England, the charity argues the scale of potential exposure demands action. "We cannot change what happened to those who came before us, but we can decide what happens next," the group said.
When and where is the petition launching?
The petition will officially launch at Head Safe Football's 'Lunching & Launching' event at Middleton Hall Retirement Village in Middleton St. George on September 9. The event starts at 12.30pm, and attendees are invited to get involved. This comes as Middlesbrough prepare for their next Championship fixture against Norwich at home on September 12, with the team looking to build on their current position just 3 points behind leaders Swansea. You can check the full upcoming schedule on our fixtures page.
How does this affect current football practice?
The campaign specifically targets training rather than match situations, arguing that repetitive heading in practice sessions presents the greatest risk. Head Safe Football states that "Tomorrow's players need today's voices" to drive change. The issue takes on added relevance for Middlesbrough as they manage their current squad, including sidelined player Jeremy Sarmiento, whose absence is detailed on our injuries page. With 7 goals scored and 5 conceded this season, Boro's attacking play inevitably involves aerial challenges, making the training debate particularly pertinent. The team's recent form reads DWLW as they approach the Norwich match, with their defensive record and approach to heading likely to remain topics of discussion both on and off the pitch.
