Football managers unite to raise awareness of dementia

Wearing our badge to raise dementia awareness

Managers and head coaches across men’s and women’s football will wear Alzheimer’s Society badges to mark World Alzheimer’s Month this September and raise awareness of dementia.

The campaign, led by the League Managers Association (LMA) for the third consecutive year, is encouraging members across top levels of the game to wear the charity’s badge at games during the weekend of 18-20 September. 

The Football Association (FA), Premier League, English Football League (EFL) and Women’s Super League (WSL) Football are also backing the initiative.

Unreasonable dementia diagnosis wait times

A survey of 1,000 carers published earlier this month by Alzheimer’s Society revealed nearly half of people (45%) waited more than six months for a dementia diagnosis after first seeking help, with devastating consequences for their work, finances and mental wellbeing. 

In fact, despite dementia being the UK’s biggest killer, over a third of people living with the condition in the UK never receive a diagnosis at all. 

Organisations, clubs and managers are therefore bringing this to national attention to spread the message that this isn’t good enough.

Calling for better dementia diagnosis and support

Dean Smith, head coach of Major League Soccer (MLS) club, Charlotte FC, is supporting the campaign having experienced the devastating impact of dementia through his father, who passed away in 2020. 

The former Aston Villa and Brentford manager said: 

'I know the heavy toll dementia takes not just on the person living with it, but on those around them too.'

So many people are left in limbo without a diagnosis, waiting for answers and access to better support and care, and that’s simply not good enough.

'Anyone who has been affected by dementia will tell you how scary and uncertain it can feel. That’s why it’s so important for all of us to stand up and demand better.'

The importance of an early and accurate diagnosis

The managers’ support comes as part of a wider Alzheimer’s Society sport campaign in September, with broadcasters, pundits and sporting icons helping spread awareness of the importance of an early and accurate diagnosis. 

The charity works across multiple sports through Sport United Against Dementia (SUAD), which is led by a board of leading figures in the industry who work together to raise vital funds and increase awareness of the condition.

No one should face dementia alone

Former Birmingham City Women and Manchester United Women head coach, Marc Skinner, is also backing the campaign after sporting the badge in previous seasons. 

He said: 'When it came to my grandad Duncan and his dementia, I think my grandparents felt a lot of stigma at the time. They muddled through, but people shouldn’t have to.'

Football can be used in a fantastic way to share the message that you do not have to go through this alone. 

'The work the LMA are doing with Alzheimer’s Society isn’t just about talking about dementia; it is about creating a movement and real energy.'

Football tackling dementia

LMA CEO, Richard Bevan OBE, added: 

Too many families spend months and years waiting for a dementia diagnosis, with far too many not getting one at all. 

'We rightly don’t accept that level of inaction for other diseases and the same should be true for dementia. We know football, and sport more broadly, has an important role to play in highlighting the devastation dementia causes and creating meaningful change.'

'Our members are proudly supporting Alzheimer's Society at games all over the country during World Alzheimer's Month, because we know it will take a society to beat dementia. 

Everyone needs to play their part to ensure the issue gets the attention it demands, so we can strive for a future where dementia no longer devastates lives.'

Our football partnership continues to grow

Fans of the Premier League, EFL, WSL and WSL2 will spot managers and coaching staff wearing the distinctive blue Alzheimer’s Society forget-me-not badge during fixtures ahead of World Alzheimer's Day on Monday, 21 September. 

England manager Thomas Tuchel will also join the initiative during the Three Lions’ UEFA Nations League fixtures against Spain and Czechia. 

Alzheimer’s Society is the official charity partner of The FA and recently announced the partnership has been extended for a further two years until the end of the 2027/28 season.