Gordon Cowans to savor the good times battling Alzheimer disease

Cowans

who helped

Aston Villa

in becoming the European Cup in 1982, is among the many former players who were diagnosed with dementia disease. Earlier this month it was revealed that Sir

Bobby Charlton

is battling the disease, with the football world were in mourning with the passing of his fellow World Cup champion,

Nobby Stiles

, who died in October having suffered from the same disease.

Former Villa’s youth team and first-team coach, has opened up on his diagnosis for the first time in an interview with daily mail:

“Did it come as a shock? I am not sure it did. I have never had the best of memories but you begin to realize that the constant, same old issues must be more than just a coincidence.

“My family pushed hard for me to get tested because of the worry it was causing and I am glad they did. Now we know what is wrong, we can make the best of the ‘good time’ I have.

“To begin with, I laughed it off. But there are only so many times in an hour you can misplace your glasses or wallet, without thinking that there might be something wrong.

“Although, I should say, the wallet one worked in my favour, particularly when it was my round.

“I know what this disease is all about. I have watched my friend and former Villa colleague, Chris Nicholl, bravely battle it for years, so I know what is coming.

“Big Chris has fought it in the same way he played the game, with a no-nonsense approach, but it’s not a fair opponent. It plays dirty and, until there is a treatment, it will be the only winner.”