DOCTOR from Glasgow is to lead a new investigation into brain injuries related to heading in football.

Dr William Stewart, consultant neuropathologist at the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital and honorary professor at the University of Glasgow, has been chosen to lead a research study for The Football Association (FA) and Professional Footballer’s Association(PFA).

This is the latest move from The FA and PFA in their research and development into the long-term effects of participating in football.

Martin Glenn, FA Chief Executive, added: “This new research will be one the most comprehensive studies ever commissioned into the long-term health of former footballers.

“Dementia can have a devastating effect and, as the governing body of English football, we felt compelled to commission a significant new study in order to fully understand if there are any potential risks associated with playing the game.”

The choice of Dr Stewart as the lead researcher for the project comes after the organisation put the study out to tender.

Dr Stewart was one of the founding members of the FA’s Expert Panel on Concussion before stepping down to apply for this new role.

Due to begin in January, the study will look to answer the question: “’Is the incidence of degenerative neurocognitive disease more common in ex-professional footballers than in the normal population?”

Titled ‘Football’s Influence on Lifelong Health and Dementia Risk’ and incorporating the Hampden Sports Clinic, the study will look at the outcomes of around 15,000 ex-professional footballers.

Dr Stewart said: “In the past decade there have been growing concerns around perceived increased risk of dementia through participation in contact sports, however, research data to support and quantify this risk have been lacking.

“Through the FIELD study we hope to be able to provide some understanding of the long-term health impact of football within the next two to three years.”

Independent sports concussion charity The Drake Foundation will project manage the study to reinforce the integrity of the research.

Gordon Taylor OBE, PFA Chief Executive, said: “Neurological problems in later life which may be connected to concussion, head injuries and heading the ball have been on our agenda for the last twenty years.

“We are now fully appreciative of The FA’s support in establishing a comprehensive research strategy which will help determine whether the incidence of degenerative neurocognitive disease is more common in former professional footballers than in the normal population.”