Two former Premier League players have spoken about their growing fears of long-term health impacts from years of heading footballs, as concerns over brain injuries in the sport continue to mount.
Former England defender Gary Pallister revealed that debilitating migraines plagued him throughout his career, while ex-Newcastle and Manchester City player Steve Howey has undergone scans revealing cognitive decline.
Pallister: “The pain was sickening”
Pallister, who won four Premier League titles with Manchester United, described migraines that began at age 17, causing blurred vision, tingling sensations, and violent headaches that left him unable to train for days.
“I would throw up before the pain began to ease,” Pallister recalled. He believes repeated heading may have contributed to his symptoms, which disappeared after his retirement.
While Pallister, now 59, feels mentally sharp, he admits to fears of potential brain damage from a career that included several concussions.
Howey: “When you think about it now, it’s crazy”
Howey, 53, who has noticed memory loss and word-finding issues, recounted the routine of “breaking in” his head during pre-season by practicing headers. He described moments where heading a fast-moving ball caused temporary blackouts.
“I’d think, ‘Where am I?’ Then quickly snap back and play on,” he said. Howey is among a group suing football’s governing bodies over brain injuries suffered during their careers.
Calls for Action
Judith Gates, founder of Head Safe Football, is campaigning to declare heading a national health issue. Inspired by her late husband, former footballer Bill Gates, who died from chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), she urges stricter safety measures to protect players.
The FA has begun phasing out deliberate heading in youth matches at under-11 levels. Coaches like David Parnaby believe the change enhances creativity in young players while reducing risk.
Evidence of Risk
A 2019 Glasgow University study found footballers were 3.5 times more likely to die from neurodegenerative diseases than the general population. Cases like England’s 1966 World Cup winner Nobby Stiles and former striker Jeff Astle, both diagnosed with CTE, highlight the dangers of repeated head impacts.
Education and Support Needed
Both Pallister and Howey agree they would still have played the game knowing the risks but stress the importance of educating current players and providing better support for ex-professionals.
“It’s only when you hear the tragic stories of others that you think, ‘This could happen to me,'” Howey said.
As research and legal action intensify, football faces mounting pressure to confront its heading problem and prioritize player safety.
