John Tudor, left, and Jimmy Smith in action for Newcastle United in 1973 (Image: Newcastle Chronicle)

John Tudor stands as a Newcastle United beacon to footballers who have fallen foul of the dreaded curse of dementia.

The Tudor King, right-hand man to SuperMac, was a fabulous header of the ball which is believed by his nearest and dearest to have significantly contributed to his demise.

We have, of recent times, also lost the likes of double Wembley medallist Tommy Cassidy and Fairs Cup winner John McNamee to dementia.

It is said that former professional footballers are approximately 3.5 times more likely to die from a neurodegenerative disease than the general population and on a wider scale the game has also witnessed the departure of Bobby and Jack Charlton, Nobby Stiles, Denis

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