Alan Jarvis

[Kiddy Dragon]

This came up on my Google feed earlier. Apologies if it has been posted before.

A former Wales international footballer died from dementia linked to repeatedly heading the ball, a inquest has heard.

Alan Jarvis played for Everton and Hull City in the 1960s and 1970s, winning three caps for his country.

The 76-year-old, who had dementia, died at a nursing home in Mold, Flintshire, in December.

On Thursday coroner John Gittins concluded former midfielder Mr Jarvis died from Alzheimer's "caused by his occupation".

Alan was a couple of years ahead of me in Grove Park and had us enthralled with his stories of Liverpool nightlife when he was on Evertons books as a youngster..

[Inside Left]

Alans dad was a teacher at Victoria School and ran the school football team.

[mbarnes]

Originally Posted by Kiddy Dragon

This came up on my Google feed earlier. Apologies if it has been posted before.

A former Wales international footballer died from dementia linked to repeatedly heading the ball ...

On Thursday coroner John Gittins concluded former midfielder Mr Jarvis died from Alzheimer's "caused by his occupation"..

Very sad to hear of this.
This is not uncommon and quite well known. There also appear to be link between rugby/football players and motor neurone disease which is just, if not more, devastating.

[Red Light]

Jeff Astle a centre forward with West Brom & England was another - his demise was well documented around the time.

Any of us older followers will recall how much footballs have changed since our younger days - I recall playing for my junior school in the winter when the lace up heavy duty leather cased balls got very wet and increased in weight - they were hard enough to kick never mind head. Later playing centre half and repeatedly being the one to stick your head on a ball that was launched into orbit by the opposition goalkeeper was never a pleasure - used to often think the same about Mark Creighton who you would describe as a 'solid' header of the ball.

Suppose similar could be said about boxing - taking blows to the head over a prolonged period of any kind isn't going to help - perhaps this issue was prevalant in earlier decades but only recently is it becoming more understood.

I followed Everton as a kid in the late 60's / 70' when they had a fantastic team under the leadership of Harry Catrick and the pools tycoon John Moores - I don't recall Alan Jarvis so his appearance record would be interesting to see. Out of interest too, what position did he play ? as players in the centre back / centre forward roles seem more likely to suffer due to the more frequent times they head the ball in their positions.

[Blazes]

RIP Alan Fox. One of the heroes of my teenage years in the 1950s. He was really one of the great centre halfs (or halves?) of those days in the Div 3 North. He was not built like Beowulf, but he was incredibly effective at stopping onrushing opposition forwards. 100% dependable.
He is gone much too early. Condolences to his family.

[Red Light]

Alan Leslie Jarvis
Born 04 August 1943 in Wrexham - died in Mold 15 December 2019.

Playing career
Between 1963 - 64 was on the books of Everton but never made an appearance for them.
1964 - 1970 Hull City 153 appearances.
1970 - 1973 Mansfield Town 12 appearances.

Also played for Wales 3 times between 1966 - 67 season.

His brain was donated for medical research after which the coroner concluded there was a link between his death / medical issues and heading a football (which was classed as an industrial disease).

[Johno]

Originally Posted by Blazes

RIP Alan Fox. One of the heroes of my teenage years in the 1950s. He was really one of the great centre halfs (or halves?) of those days in the Div 3 North. He was not built like Beowulf, but he was incredibly effective at stopping onrushing opposition forwards. 100% dependable.
He is gone much too early. Condolences to his family.

When did this happen? Not heard this as yet

[Blazes]

Originally Posted by Johno

When did this happen? Not heard this as yet

Very sorry...that was a mindless mistake on my part.....read the name too quickly... Thought it was Alan Fox.

However, I did play against Alan Jarvis, when I was at Llangollen Grammar School and he at Grove Park. I recall, with embarrassment to this day, how he beat me with the slightest swivel of his hip and was past me in a flash.

RIP, Alan

[BillEBadass]

I once bought a Volkswagon Beetle off him for my sister. He seemed a really decent chap.
RIP Alan.