Sheila Parker, a member of the original Lionesses has developed dementia, like other England players Nobby Stiles, and brothers Sir Bobby and Jack Charlton
When Sheila Parker captained the first England’s women’s football team, she was renowned for being a fearless header of the ball.
But now, after two decades on the pitch, the original Lioness has tragically, like other England greats Nobby Stiles and Sir Bobby and Jack Charlton, developed dementia. The star’s family believe repeated heading caused damage â and are warning that without change, current Lionesses may also be in danger. Sheila’s relatives have joined the son of Manchester United legend Nobby Stiles in calling for action to prevent future casualties and support former players.
Speaking just weeks after the Lionesses’ historic World Cup final in Australia, Sheila’s son Darren says: “It’s such a shame for her because she is finally getting recognised for what she actually did for women’s football and she can’t remember anything. It’s so sad.” And Nobby’s son John says: “Football killed my dad. That has been categorically proven. “And I believe it has killed tens of thousands of other players. “Meeting Sheila brings back the pain and suffering we endured that could have been prevented.”
Sheila, 76, who led England in their 1972 debut against Scotland, was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease in January. She is the latest in a string of footballers to suffer from dementia. In total, five members of the England men’s 1966 World Cup-winning squad developed the illness. Nobby died aged 78 in 2020 after suffering from advanced dementia. His family donated his brain to a study looking at a possible link between the disease and professional football.