Former Middlesbrough defender Bill Gates, who inspired a campaign highlighting the links between heading footballs and dementia after his retirement, has died aged 79.
Former centre-half Gates was also diagnosed with dementia in 2014.
His wife, Dr Judith Gates, founded the Head for Change charity in response.
“Bill was unique,” Dr Gates said. “From the moment of his diagnosis he encouraged his family to set up a charity to protect players of today and tomorrow from the degenerative brain disease caused by repetitive head impacts.
“He asked for a solemn promise and made a personal commitment that together we must do everything to prevent this from happening in the future.”
Gates’ cognitive decline inspired a new documentary, ‘The Billion Pound Game’, which is due to open the Tees Valley International Film Festival at Arc, Stockton on Wednesday.
