Football memories can bring communities together and help in the fight against dementia and depression

With an ageing population, more and more businesses and organisations are looking to recognise the challenges caused by dementia, reflecting the fact that all areas of society are likely to encounter the condition in some way.

This week the world of football is also showing that it has a role to play, after the Professional Football Association (PFA) backed an innovative project focusing on older players and fans living with the effects of memory loss.

Collaborating with the Sporting Memories Network, which looks to use a love of sport to inspire positive reminiscence, the PFA has launched weekly support groups to be run by the Charlton Athletic Community Foundation.

These groups are looking to harness the power of sporting memories – not solely football – by engaging older fans in community-based activities. Utilising iconic images and memorabilia, as well as sharing memories of each fan’s favourite sporting moments, glories and defeats, the groups will aim to impact upon cognitive ability, as well as tackling the issues of social isolation, loneliness and depression.

PFA chief executive Gordon Taylor comments: “This is a simple but effective idea that taps into the passion football ignites in us all. Whether playing the game or following your club as a supporter, a lifetime of memories are made. The PFA are aware of the increasing challenges facing an ageing population and we are delighted to be supporting a scheme that has so much potential to support former players and fans alike.”

Getting under way in London and the South East, the Sporting Memories Network is already planning further city and county wide projects elsewhere in England and in Scotland.

Director Chris Wilkins says “The support from the PFA is very much appreciated. We have been working towards bringing the scheme to London and look forward to working with Charlton Athletic Community Foundation. We will kick off the work this month as we begin to train volunteers to help at the weekly sessions.”

Another football club looking to support the Network is Gateshead FC, whose assistant manager Darren Caskey, wife of club manager Susan Mills, and video cameraman David Kenny, are training to compete and raise money in the Great North Run, accompanied by local fan Jamie Weston and Katie Mansfield, from Essex, who is running in memory of her father and grandfather.

Included among the Sporting Memories Network supporters is AC/DC frontman Brian Johnson who, as a fan of Gateshead FC shares some of his own memories of sport, saying:

“We walked there from Dunston, we didn't have a car anyway. We walked through Dunston Park, down past the gas works, turned right up alongside the tributary that led into the Tyne from the mines, to the Gateshead stadium. My Dad used to take us to the Park, me and my brother Morris (My youngest brother was too small) but when we got there we couldn't see over the wall so me and my brother used to stand on a cracket, each with one foot on.”

To show your support for the runners please visit www.justgiving.com/sportingmemories