BRADFORD Salem head coach Neil Spence has openly discussed his battle with early on-set dementia, after years of playing rugby union, professionally and locally, took its toll.
Spence, who is only 44, talked about how it has changed his personality, his daily life as a teacher and coach, and what steps will hopefully be taken to make the sport a safer place in the future.
Speaking to the T&A, he said: "I'm at exactly the same stage as (England World Cup winner in 2003) Steve Thompson.
"I've been diagnosed with early on-set dementia from brain scans and neurological assessments I've had, and I have clinical evidence of CTE (a progressive degenerative disease of the brain).