Admin Phantom Posted Monday at 10:06 Admin Share Posted Monday at 10:06 BRISTOL ROVERS legend Ian Alexander has been given just "two to six years to live" after being diagnosed with chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE). The Scot, 61, played nearly 400 games during his professional career, representing Rovers between 1986 and 1994. Despite keeping himself fit in retirement, Alexander has suffered a sharp decline in his health this year. The former defender suffered at least four significant concussions during his player career, which is said to have contributed to his CTE. Following an email from the Bristol Rovers Former Players Association earlier this year, Alexander put himself forward for medical examinations. And he has since opened up on his condition to The Guardian. In addition to his headaches, the Scot has also been forced to follow a soft-foods diet, due to the risk of swallowing his tongue. He has also been unable to attend some matches at his beloved Bristol Rovers because of the potential of an anxiety attack. e has since opened up on his condition to The Guardian. He said: "The doctors gave me two to six years, but they say I'm quite fit. I'm not going to give in. I'm going to fight it till the end. "I've got a good team around me with my wife and kids. And once the word gets out to Rovers fans I'll have them behind me too." Chronic headaches and tremors have led to Alexander struggling for sleep, with wife Janet believing that her husband could be diagnosed with dementia. Such a diagnosis would enable Alexander to receive further medication, with his pain-relief currently limited to paracetamol. Following former Aston Villa European Cup winner Colin Gibson's lead, Alexander has revealed that he is one of around 20 former players taking legal action against the FA. Each player sustained significant brain injuries during their playing careers, which they believe have contributed to further health issues in later life. Alexander insists that he is not interested in financial gain from the matter, and that raising awareness is more important for him. Beyond his playing career, he worked as a painter and decorator. When he began having issues with his memory, however, he had to quit. And despite relaying his symptoms to doctors, he was told that he was merely feeling the effects of "old age" - despite being just in his 50s. On how head injuries were dealt with during his career, Alexander shockingly revealed: "I nearly died on the pitch once. Right from the kick-off the ball was played up to me, and a centre-half came out of nowhere and smashed me. "There was a clash of heads and the next thing I remember is being in hospital. I’d swallowed my tongue and half my denture plate. They told me I was about 20 or 30 seconds away from death. "That happened on a Saturday and I was training again by Wednesday. I was supposed to play the next Saturday, but Gerry (Francis) said he’d give me another week off so it was a fortnight before I came back. "I didn’t think about the risks. It was my job, wasn’t it? You took the knocks, got on with it, and went again. Now it’s all coming to light." 2 9 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eddie Hitler Posted Monday at 10:26 Share Posted Monday at 10:26 There are some terrible conditions out there, every sympathy for the guy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KnowleUtd City Posted Monday at 10:29 Share Posted Monday at 10:29 Poor bloke, seems mad that his pain relief is currently limited to Paracetamol. Lots of sad stories coming out now in sport how players are suffering in later life after concussions in their playing days, let's hope that lessons are being learned. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ronnie Sinclair Posted Monday at 11:19 Share Posted Monday at 11:19 Horrid news - a player opposition fans loved to hate but you can't deny he gave his all for his club, wish you well Sir 8 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CyderInACan Posted Monday at 11:31 Share Posted Monday at 11:31 One of the famous "Moustache Squad" of the 89/90 season. Always had a tussle with Smudger. Wishing him the very best of luck from BS3. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OJ009 Posted Monday at 11:44 Share Posted Monday at 11:44 1 hour ago, Phantom said: He has also been unable to attend some matches at his beloved Bristol Rovers because of the potential of an anxiety attack I think we can all understand that. In all seriousness, best of wishes to him. Some horrible things to suffer out there that you wouldn't want your worst enemies to have. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bpexile Posted Monday at 12:09 Share Posted Monday at 12:09 1 hour ago, Phantom said: "I've got a good team around me with my wife and kids. And once the word gets out to Rovers fans I'll have them behind me too." It doesn't just stay within the Bristol Rovers fans either, team alliances don't matter in times like this, I'm sure a lot of City supporters wish him all the very best also. 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oizys Posted Monday at 12:44 Share Posted Monday at 12:44 He was an utter thug on the pitch. Think Dave Smith might still be stuck up in the rafters of the Dolman! That said, he clearly doesn't deserve this. Hope his last years are as easy as they can be in the circumstances. He gave me one of my longest standing football memories to be fair. Can't remember if it was Shoot or Match, but they used to give goal descriptions in the results section. He scored an own goal at Port Vale (I think) and the description was "Ian Alexander received the ball and, under no pressure at all, lobbed his goalkeeper from 30 yards"! It tickled early teenage me and for some reason just stuck! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Davefevs Posted Monday at 12:49 Share Posted Monday at 12:49 1 hour ago, CyderInACan said: One of the famous "Moustache Squad" of the 89/90 season. Always had a tussle with Smudger. Wishing him the very best of luck from BS3. …and got red carded! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CyderInACan Posted Monday at 13:28 Share Posted Monday at 13:28 37 minutes ago, Davefevs said: …and got red carded! Indeed! I remember it well! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Red Cyril 2 Posted Monday at 21:06 Share Posted Monday at 21:06 Have to wish him all the best in his fight with the disease. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bristolmoose Posted Monday at 22:41 Share Posted Monday at 22:41 Always remember him being used as a euphemism in the pub. "I'll have an Ian Alexander" "Eh?" "One swift half and I'm off" All the best in your fight, Ian Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SecretSam Posted 17 hours ago Share Posted 17 hours ago One of my favourite City anecdotes is about the time I got Ian sent off. Go in hard, fella, one last one on one to win. Best wishes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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