Former Town striker John Deehan has been battling Alzheimer’s Disease for the last six years, his wife has announced.

Deehan, 64, was with the Blues between 1986 and 1988, making 56 starts and seven sub appearances, scoring 14 times, having joined from Norwich City in a swap deal which saw Trevor Putney move in the opposite direction.

In a statement Linda Deehan said: “Now seems like the right time to inform you that for several years my husband John Deehan, former Aston Villa, WBA, Norwich City and Ipswich Town centre forward, has been battling a neurodegenerative disease.

“John’s consultant has concluded that he has dementia, namely Alzheimer’s Disease. John was only 58 years old at the time.

“John has good days and bad days. He endeavours to continue to live and enjoy a normal life, as best as possible, however almost every day we are confronted with a new challenge.

“If you come across him at a match or elsewhere, please don’t be afraid to interact with him. Please understand that John may not be able to converse in the way he once did, but he still loves to talk about football and share a laugh.

“Please be considerate if he is having a bad day and struggling. This disease plays tricks on his memory, so he may not be able to remember accurately, and he may find signing autographs a challenge.

“Even though things have not ended as we had planned, we continue to live our lives as best we can.”

Deehan also had spells as manager at Norwich and Wigan, and as caretaker boss at Villa.

The focus on former players suffering with dementia has increased in recent years with research conducted for the PFA and the FA finding that ex-players are from two to five times more likely to die from degenerative brain diseases than the wider population.

Photo: Action Images

Wallingford_Boy added 15:36 - Mar 31 Horrible disease. All the best John.
13

WhoisJimmyJuan added 15:36 - Mar 31 Awful illness. Poor Dixie. Really hope he's managing to still enjoy life to some degree as his wife says. Did he score a hat-trick for us in 86/87?
5

ButchersBrokenNose added 15:40 - Mar 31 I wish him all the best for a full life. There's definitely something to the research linking football with diseases such as this.
3

Gogs added 15:42 - Mar 31 Ghastly disease. Very best wishes to John and his nearest and dearest
5

itsonlyme added 15:56 - Mar 31 Horrible news. Remember you well John. All the very best for the future.
5

Barty added 16:21 - Mar 31 Very sad news and very best wishes to John and his family
5

therein61 added 17:18 - Mar 31 An awful thing to deal with my partners father has it and we are dealing with it as best we can, Dixie's family have my full sympathy.
3

Suffolkboy added 17:23 - Mar 31 So glad you and yours are continuing to be as positive as ever ! Very very best wishes .do hope Footy still gives you interest and pleasure ! COYB
3

Eireannach_gorm added 18:01 - Mar 31 Horrible disease, especially horrific that it is early onset. Thoughts and prayers go to him and especially to his family.
4

MickMillsTash added 18:24 - Mar 31 I think he got his hatrick vs Birmingham.
2

Steve_ITFC_Sweden added 18:40 - Mar 31 This is an awful disease that affects a lot more people in different ways than just the one who is actually suffering from it. I have first-hand experience from someone in my family. If anyone feels like making a donation to a charity in these difficult times, they could do worse than the Alzheimer's Society (easily found online). All the best, John.
3

Dissboyitfc added 19:24 - Mar 31 such a horrible disease, wish him and his family all the best! I remember him scoring a hatrick i was at the game and i think it was at the hawthorns.
1

Flamencaman added 19:31 - Mar 31 1986 had started supporting Town couple years before, quality player when he and his wife should be enjoying life I can only wish them well
1

TBT added 19:54 - Mar 31 It was at the Hawthorns, we beat WBA 4-3, now that was a good day out. All the best John.
2

WirralBlue added 10:35 - Apr 1 It was at the Hawthorns, 13 September 1986. Deehan scored a hat trick but also missed a penalty. Steve Bull got two for West Brom. I was there!
0

Ipswichbusiness added 12:14 - Apr 1 A terrible disease which I would not wish on my worst enemy. Be careful of the research; evidence of correlation is not necessarily evidence of cause and effect.
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