UK Health Radio Podcast
UK Health Radio Podcast
145: The 'D' Word with Pete Hill - Episode 145
145: The 'D' Word with Pete Hill - Episode 145
145: The 'D' Word with Pete Hill - Episode 145
Friday 28th November 2025
Roy Heaney shares his journey from football dreams to dementia diagnosis, highlighting sports' hidden dangers. A compelling listen on 'The D Word' podcast.
36 minutes
Inspiring
Eye-opening
Honest
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Informative
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Get the buttons here!Roy Heaney's Battle: Football Dreams & Dementia
Episode Overview
- Roy Heaney discusses his journey from football dreams to dementia diagnosis.
- Highlights the impact of brain injuries sustained during his sports career.
- Explores the lack of support from sports organisations for affected players.
- Calls for improved protocols to protect athletes from long-term damage.
- Shares insights into personal resilience and coping mechanisms.
In those days, you didn't come off unless your leg was falling off, basically.
Ever wondered how the beautiful game of football intersects with the challenging reality of dementia? Pete Hill's 'D Word' podcast offers a riveting discussion with former professional footballer and rugby league player Roy Heaney, who shares his personal journey through the ups and downs of a sporting career marred by dementia.
You'll hear about Roy's early dreams as a schoolboy signing for Liverpool, the heartbreak of a career-ending injury, and the resilience he showed in bouncing back to play for Bolton Wanderers. But it's not all about football glory; Roy candidly talks about his struggles with cognitive issues and the shocking diagnosis of chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE).
Pete and Roy delve into the need for better protocols in sports to protect players from long-term brain injuries, highlighting the lack of support from major sports organisations. Roy's story is both heartbreaking and eye-opening, shedding light on the hidden dangers athletes face. With a mix of nostalgia and stark reality, this episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in the intersection of sports and health.
So, are sports authorities doing enough to protect players, or is it time for a major overhaul? Dive into this compelling narrative and find out.