As a robust and direct defender, John Hughes was used to hitting the ball with his head.
During a successful race that included periods in Celtic, Hibernian and Falkirk, 'Yogi' did not think twice before directing the ball. It was a large part of his game. It was, in fact, a vital component.
“I was recognized for directing football,” he told Mail Sport.
“That was that macho style where I was an integral part of the game, entering and directing it.”
Sitting in a room in the Parliament of Scotland, Hughes could hardly be more frank. Like me, he has come to listen to new research on head injuries in football, as calls grow so that brain injuries are recognized as an industrial injury. It is an enlightening discussion. The investigation, in charge of the lesion time campaign, suggests a lack of adequate awareness of the risks and results of brain injuries in football, as well as inappropriate support for the players. In revealing, brain injuries are also still misunderstood and continue to be seen as 'taboo' within the game.
John Hughes was recognized for his heading ability during his football career
John Hughes is concerned that his career as a player can leave him vulnerable to brain injuries
That is why we are here, in Holyrood, it is a mark of the impulse for things to move. The campaign, directed by Michael Marra MSP, is struggling for brain injuries in football to qualify as an industrial injury, so that suffering can claim the benefit for disabling injuries (IIDB) … essentially, the rights to benefits and attention, if they are unable to.
At present, the responsibility of what counts as an industrial injury remains in the hands of the DWP, after the SNP delayed its implementation as a returned problem. It is a messy political enigma, and not surprising, perhaps, that the room is quickly filled with politicians from all over the field.
However, of greater interest is Hughes. After all, it is not common to be seen in the halls of power in the Scottish Parliament
In fact, it is a fairly strange dynamic, which is not the side of the former manager, which is much appreciated throughout Scottish football.
The last time I saw Yogi was in East End Park, bouncing around the field with its usual youth exuberance. Today, however. There is a feeling of urgency and concern in their behavior.
Hughes directed the ball thousands of times. Listening to the latest research, along with that already in the public domain, knows that it could be in the danger zone for neurodegenerative disease. It is a terrifying perspective.
Are you worried about this? ', I ask the 60 -year -old.
“100 percent,” he tells me. '100 percent. It is scary.
'He was alien to head injuries and what is happening with all that. This discussion has made me sit and realize. It's shameful, right? Only shameful, that we are not doing more about it.
'I simply put on the strip, I left, like most boys, and hit the ball. But when you look at stigma, that comes from having dementia, you have to do more in terms of education.
John Hughes and Kevin Drinkell celebrate Falkirk's colors
'We have to be flag carriers for our future generations. We owe it to the game. People like Alex Mcleish or Sir Alex Ferguson: They have talked about this, however, the stigma attached to being diagnosed is still there. Why is that? Does it prevent me from working in the game? Does it stop me in life? What does it do for my general life?
'We all continue with this sexist image. When you play football, you don't show your opponent and hurt yourself. All this tells me is that education must be at the forefront of this debate.
Part of the fear of speaking, believes Hughes, is driven by what comes after a positive diagnosis. I ask him if he has already been tested.
“No, they have never tried me,” Hughes admits, “but I am reaching the age when I am thinking that maybe. He only looks at Dean Windass, who was in the time of question recently. Look at the age that was to do it. He is only 55 years old. And obviously he thought:” Correct, I need to do this public. “If it is not for yourself, then definitely for other people.
However, the thing is. Once they diagnose you, then what? Who or what supports you? This is reflected in the campaign of injury time, which is very important, and the need for more education in the football curriculum.
'Will it ever be recognized as an industrial injury? Who knows, but players at least need to be educated about it. Like the presidents and the members of the Board. Because if they are paying fortunes for the players, they need to know about a player's head injuries. I have seen many improvements in football, by doctors and in Fisios. Then there are substitutes for brain shock. Then they are aware of the protocols and what needs to be done. But those are just small steps. This, for me, must be at the forefront of a player's education.
The investigation revealed last year by the field study of the University of Glasgow, led by the consulting neuropathologist, Professor Willie Stewart, seemed to strengthen the links between head and dementia injuries.
He found that the risk factors of general dementia were similar or lower among professional players compared to the general population. And, therefore, these factors were not behind the greater probability of death due to neurodegenerative disease among soccer players.
The previous data of the field study found that the players had three and a half times more likely to die of neurodegenerative diseases than the members of the general population.
Hughes celebrates scoring an old -time Ibrox goal during its time with Celtic
Speaking to Mail Sport in December, Stewart said that the 'priority for the mitigation of the risk of neurodegenerative disease between contact sports athletes must continue to focus on the reduction, if not elimination, exposure to repetitive impacts of the head and traumatic brain injury, whenever possible'.
So is the prohibition of the header a viable solution?
“You will never stop him in football,” said Hughes.
'However, I think we can stop it in training and in parts of the game. I was talking to my partner John Collins (former Scotland midfielder), and he told me before coming here today: “Listen, be sure to get this and come from me. He said we lack the technical capacity in Scotland. We still play with our hearts in our sleeves and all that. And when we go to Europe, we are technically mistreated.
Hughes has achieved several clubs and won the Scotland Cup with Inverness in 2015
'In academies up to a certain age, we should be playing through areas. So you can't kick it from the back to the front zone for someone to direct it. You should pass it through the zones. He will do two things. It will prevent you from playing long balls to head it and make you technically better.
“There is a taboo talking about this,” said Hughes, “due to the research that is being done in relation to head and dementia injuries. Open a can of worms.
'But I think there is a strong case for boys who have dementia and for their families, be supported through this. Doing this would provide some comfort to those who suffer.
'I remember receiving the prize from my manager of the year in 2015, and it was very difficult because my father -in -law was a great 2 -inch phleping scaffolding and suffered dementia. I wanted him to be there, and he couldn't be, due to his condition.
'We have to ask ourselves: if people are diagnosed, what is the process? What happens later? Was it reduced to help SFA or PFA Scotland?
'This research carried out by the lesions time campaign has to go to football clubs. We are in a good place with the debate of head injuries in which people are taking it on board. Politicians are taking it into account.
'It depends on us now, as former players, talk about our experiences in the game. We have to help the next generation of soccer players before it is too late.