Former England and QPR forward Stan Bowles has been diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease.
A statement released by Bowles' family on his Facebook page informed fans of the news.
The 66-year-old began his career at Manchester City before going on to play for Bury, Crewe, Carlisle and QPR.
Bowles, who won five caps for England, was recently voted the Loftus Road club's greatest ever player by supporters.
The statement read: "We are writing this on behalf of our father Stanley Bowles".
"We would like it to be known that our father has unfortunately developed a form of Alzheimer's. Consequently he finds it extremely difficult to sign autographs etc".
"We would be grateful for anyone who comes into contact with our father to show some understanding of his condition".
"We have, on behalf of our father, been grateful that fans still show interest in him and would be grateful that anything regarding him is played low key".
"We will continue his Facebook page and hope you will continue to share your memories. Thanking you in anticipation".
Bowles also had spells at Nottingham Forest and Leyton Orient before ending his career in 1984 after a three-year stint at Brentford.
http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11711/9891184/qpr-great-stan-bowles-diagnosed-with-alzheimers-disease (http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11711/9891184/qpr-great-stan-bowles-diagnosed-with-alzheimers-disease)
A horrible disease, which many of us have, or will have, personal experience of. My sincerest best wishes go out to Stan and his family.
I know he's famous for playing for the other side, but I know that he left a big mark on the game. Hope he gets better
Quote from: Riether Lightning 63 on June 20, 2015, 10:22:42 PM
I know he's famous for playing for the other side, but I know that he left a big mark on the game. Hope he gets better
Unfortunately all they can do is medicate him to slow it down.
You're right about his mark on the game, he was one of the crowd-pleasers of his day..
Such a shame and pretty young
this dreadful and cruel disease which erases precious memories and affects all family members.......and seems to be on the increase...but probably because we are all living a little longer than previous generations, and therefore becoming more susceptible.
I've seen a dear friend and neighbour lose all memory within a space of about 2 years.
The research seems to be showing progress, but alas, probably not quick enough to eventually benefit we old sods.
All the best to him and his family who will feel his illness almost as badly as he does. We have heard so much of this illness lately. A genius on the pitch at times and a hard worker at enjoying himself off it. Wish him the best and to his family.
He was another 'tained' genius in the mold of Gascoigne, Best
A great talent who loved the bookies.
I thought he played for Brentford for a while as well
A real character, as well as a brilliant player on his day, who you feel would, sadly, have no place in today's game.
I doubt if he made much money from the game he graced, and probably spent freely what he did make, and nor did he have a post playing career in the game as coach or commentator, as far as I'm aware.
Very sad news to hear of his situation, especially since I picture him in my memory as a young man, the same age as me in fact- one who followed his own path, but a mercurial talent, in the self destructive, and highly gifted, mould of the likes of Best and Gazza, that the English game used to produce and were so loved by fans, despite, or maybe because of, their flaws.
That's sad. I used to work with a very good friend of Stan's and we had a work team. Stan turned out for us several times using an assumed name. None of the opposition could take the ball away from him.
Very sad to hear of someone who gave so much pleasure being laid low by time and illness.
One of a group of supremely talented English players of that era who, perhaps because of their lifestyle choices, never fully realized their potential - but still provided terrific entertainment. Bowles, Marsh, Hudson and, most extreme of all, Robin Friday.
Very sad news. Always liked watching Stan play, one of those naturally gifted players. One that we never really got to see what they could do as wooden headed coaches held them back.
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Sad to hear I brought him down for penalty once when he played for London transport
He came from a great era of there game,and wish him and his family well.
As like our very own JC, a terrible illness inflicts a great player from a bygone era.
Loved watching him play, as others have said, great talent with that 'wild' streak that made him exciting to watch, still recall those sideburns!
We played QPR in a cup competition sometime in the eighties I think when they were in the old first division (or at least they were a division above us) and beat them. Stan had a terrible game and was getting a lot of grief from Fulham supporters and at one point he just turned to the crowd gave a huge grin and shrugged his shoulders. Loved him ever since.