COLCHESTER United legend Bobby Hunt has spoken publicly for the first time after being diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease.

The former centre forward, who played 149 times for the U’s between 1959 and 1964, was prompted to speak out after research published yesterday found heading a football can have a “small but significant” effect on the brain.

The research has come after a coroner found former West Brom striker Jeff Astle died in 2002, aged 59, having suffered early on-set dementia brought on by heading footballs. His cause of death was given as industrial disease.

Mr Hunt, 74, who began his career at the same time as the England striker, was diagnosed about a year ago after having been prompted to go the doctor by his partner, Sylvia.

He has been prescribed medication and sees specialists every six months.

The former star, who lives in Stanway, said: “This is the first time I’ve spoken to anyone outside the family about it.

“It’s true - the balls we were heading back in the day were so much heavier.

“The worst was the goalkeepers kicking out of hand. I played up front and it was mine and (his strike partner) Martyn King’s job to win those flick-on headers.

“I remember even now seeing stars after heading the things.”

He added: “At the time, you didn’t really give those things a second thought - you were a footballer and part of the game is to head the ball and I really hope that doesn’t change.”

For some time before his diagnosis, Mr Hunt had noticed he was becoming more forgetful, especially people’s names, and decided to get an expert opinion. After an MRI scan, he was told he had the condition.

He added: “You just have to keep going and put your faith in the doctors.

“I feel fine, I can hold a conversation but my problem is people’s names. I don’t want people to think I’m rude because I can’t remember their name.”