The announcement that Star Trek icon William Shatner would be playing at this year’s Riot Fest music festival threw fans for a loop.

The 95-year-old actor was revealed Thursday as a performer for the festival, as he will be fronting his band The *uckers during a show slated for September 20 at Douglass Park in Chicago.

The Montreal native was seen in a clip in which he confirmed his foray into the new musical venture in the Windy City.

‘Riot fest fans, Shatner here, I’ve been dinking around, found all those letters you sent me,’ Shatner said. ‘And I’ve decided, you’re such big fans of mine, that I’m gonna debut my heavy metal record at Riot Fest.

‘And I hope you’re there, and I hope I’m there. And I hope that you have my rider, and yes, don’t forget, my bowl of sauerkraut, if you please.’

The Daily Mail has reached out to representatives for Shatner for further comment on the story. 

The actor played Captain James T. Kirk on the famed TV series from 1966-1969 

The festival confirmed Shatner’s involvement on its Instagram on Thursday with what appeared to be an AI photo of Shatner in a black rock outfit making a horns signal with a guitar in hand.

‘After years of writing letters… Riot Fest 2026: Now with 100% more williamshatner, with his heavy metal band The *uckers,’ the festival said. ‘Appearing Sunday. Tickets on sale now.’

A number of fans commented on the actor’s foray onto the stage, with one writing, ‘A 95 year old man doing heavy metal at Riot Fest, damn lol.’

Another commenter referenced other actors who have gotten into music, saying, ‘Stamos in 25, Shatner in 26…Johnny Depp and Hollywood Vampires in 27?’

One person referenced some of Shatner’s past musical work, in a cover of the Pulp classic Common People.

‘His version of Common People is amazing,’ the user said. ‘Very cool Riot Fest.’

Said one fan: ‘I’ve never been more excited about a thing I never knew existed.’ 

Other comments included, ‘Aye Aye Captain,’ ‘This is everything,’ and ‘U got the best agent WS.’

The festival confirmed Shatner’s involvement on its Instagram on Thursday with what appeared to be an AI photo of Shatner in a black rock outfit making a horns signal with a guitar in hand 

Shatner is set to play the third day of the festival, which features Alanis Morissette and Pierce The Veil 

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A number of fans commented on the actor’s foray onto the stage

The Riot Fest posted a humorous note pointing out a tour rider for Shatner that included artist requirements for the veteran actor.

‘Hey Chicago, we just received a personal video message from williamshatner,’ it read. ‘His rider… is a lot.

‘But we’re committed to showing him what he means to us and we’re going to need your help. We don’t want years of letter-writing to go to waste. Anybody willing to lend a hand?’

Among the provisions on the rider, specified to the city of Chicago, included the renaming of a boat in his honor ‘so he can captain a ship again’ and ‘a classic Chicago food item to be named in tribute to William Shatner.’

Other asks on the rider specified to the Riot Fest included ‘four feet of Polish sausage;’ ‘a bouquet of flowers in a vase;’ and a Montreal Canadiens hockey sweater signed by John Stamos, who played at the festival last year. 

Shatner alluded to his Star Trek past in a statement about his participation at the festival.

‘I’ve always believed that music, like space, is about exploration,’ he said, according to People. ‘Riot Fest is exactly the kind of place where anything can happen.

‘We’re bringing volume, intensity, and a few surprises. I can’t wait to share this experience with the fans.’

The Riot Fest posted a note pointing out a tour rider for Shatner that included artist requirements for the veteran actor 

Shatner vowed he was ‘gonna debut [his] heavy metal record at Riot Fest’

Shatner pictured at a fan expo in Calgary, Alberta, Canada on April 26 

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Backing Shatner in his new band include guitarist-musical director Marcus Nand, bassist Phil Soussan, guitarist Britt Lightning and drummer Fred Aching, according to the outlet.

The set will consist of tracks Shatner has previously performed as well as songs from a forthcoming album titled What the F Is Heavy Metal.

‘That’s the name of the album,’ he told People, ‘because I know nothing or didn’t know anything until I found out how little I do know.’

Among the 100 artists set to perform at the festival include Twenty One Pilots, Iggy Pop, Morrissey, the Pixies, the Sex Pistols, Nas, Public Image Ltd., Bad Religion and Taking Back Sunday, along with others. 

The 2026 Riot Fest is slated to commence at Chicago’s Douglass Park from September 18–20. 

Here are the eight roads impacted by major works and traffic lights on Friday (July 17):

Edinburgh Drive

Temporary traffic lights are in place on Edinburgh Drive due to gas main work.

The restrictions are expected to remain in place until 5pm on September 9.

Expect delays between A67 Coniscliffe Road and Teesdale Avenue.

Ely Close

Traffic is taking turns on Ely Close due to electricity work.

Restrictions are scheduled to remain in place until midnight on August 28.

This affects both directions at Exeter Drive.

Exeter Drive

Traffic is also taking turns on Exeter Drive due to electricity work.

The restrictions are set to remain in place until midnight on July 20.

This affects both ways at Winchester Way.

Gordon Close

Similar restrictions are in place on Gordon Close due to electricity work.

The restrictions are scheduled to remain until midnight on July 20.

This affects both directions at Rossway.

West Powlett Street

Traffic is taking turns on West Powlett Street due to telecoms work.

Restrictions are expected to remain in place until 5pm on July 23.

This affects both ways at Powlett Street.

A67 Coniscliffe Road

Temporary traffic lights are in effect on A67 Coniscliffe Road due to gas main work.

Restrictions are set to remain until 5pm on August 26.

This affects both ways between Coniscliffe Mews and Edinburgh Drive.

Brinkburn Road

Temporary traffic lights are in place on Brinkburn Road due to roadworks.

Restrictions are scheduled to remain until midnight on July 30.

This affects both ways between Auckland Avenue and Pierremont Road.

Faverdale

Temporary traffic lights are also in effect on Faverdale due to roadworks.

Restrictions are set to remain until midnight on September 7.

This affects both ways after A68 West Auckland Road.

Emmerdale’s Cain Dingle (Jeff Hordley) might have cancer but it could be his pig-headedness that gets him killed.

You can’t blame the guy for being in a bit of a funk given that he’s facing a very serious health battle.

But being unable to manage his own emotions is driving a wedge between him and his kids. His new obsession with trying to save the Dingle dog Monty will only make the chasm bigger – until it nearly kills him.

Monty was caught in the shed fire Kyle (Huey Quinn) started during his pyromaniac phase.

In a weird way it was a bit fortuitous he was in there – the smoke inhalation led to the discovered Monty is riddled with cancer. Without that discovery, he might have died suddenly without any goodbyes, which would have been mighty painful for a family who’ve been ripped apart by cancer.

But after Paddy (Dominic Brunt) revealed to the family how poorly Monty is they were left with a decision – prolong his life or let him slip away.

It gave Cain pause for thought having initially refused treatment for his own cancer. Wanting to save the dog, he opted for treatment, making him rethink his own.

But it also leads Cain down a bit of a dark path – he becomes obsessed with the idea he can save Monty’s life.

Cain is gutted at the thought of losing Monty and takes him for a second opinion, believing that if radiotherapy can save him, it can save the pooch. He is so wrapped up in the survival of his furry pal that he again starts to pull away from his son Kyle, who is desperate for his dad’s attention.

Kyle tries to talk about his worries about Cadets, but Cain waves him away like a nuisance.

Moira tries the softly, softly approach with Cain, clocking that his expectations of saving the dog’s life are way off. But Cain listens to no one until an expert tells him Monty’s tumours are inoperable.

This is crushing news for Cain who can’t process it. In a bid to shake off his own thoughts, he takes Kyle camping as a distraction. But Kyle doesn’t want to be alone with his dad and invites an unwanted guest along – Graham (Andrew Scarborough).

Cain, unable to contain his own ego, loses his temper and storms off, and thus begins a series of unfortunate, nay, life-threatening, events.

As it gets dark, moody Cain loses his footing and suddenly plunges down a hill where he becomes trapped by his leg. Now it’s not just the cancer that might kill him. Will he be found alive?

MORE: All Emmerdale spoilers for next week as Dr Todd twist brings hope for Charity

MORE: Jeff Hordley’s first ever key Emmerdale scene with wife Zoe Henry is coming

MORE: Emmerdale breaks silence on Monty the Dog to reassure worried fans

Thomas Tuchel’s side appeared to be on course for a place in Sunday’s final when Anthony Gordon gave England the lead midway through the second half.

But Argentina mounted a late comeback, with Enzo Fernandez levelling five minutes from time before Lautaro Martinez headed home the winner in stoppage time from a Lionel Messi assist.

The result means Argentina will face Spain in the World Cup final, while England must now prepare for a third-place play-off against France.

After a fiercely contested first half, England looked to have gained the upper hand when Gordon converted from close range following good work down the right wing.

However, rather than building on their advantage, England gradually retreated deeper into their own half as Argentina increased the pressure.

Fernandez’s stunning strike brought Argentina level before Martinez completed the turnaround in injury time, leaving England devastated.

The manner of the defeat drew strong reactions from Bolton News readers, many of whom blamed England’s tactical approach after taking the lead.

One reader was particularly critical of the team’s decision to sit back and allow Argentina back into the contest.

“Bowed out with a whimper,” he wrote.

“Got ourselves ahead, then sat deep, giving Messi half a pitch to do whatever he wanted.

“The goals were inevitable.

“All on the manager.”

Another supporter felt the performance followed a familiar pattern for England.

“England played well against Mexico.

“Really, that was the only time they were really good,” he commented.

“Usual tonight – score, and defend the goal rather than killing the game.”

Several readers highlighted what they saw as negative tactics once England moved in front.

“Park the bus and pay the price,” one fan wrote.

“Needed fresh wide men on after our goal.

“You can’t play like that against Messi, it’s not rocket science.”

Another felt the match changed when England began replacing attacking players with defenders.

“We gave the game away,” he said.

“We were competing well until we swapped attacking players for defenders.

“Messi was kept under control until we sat back and he started to run the game.

“His two assists says it all.

“Tuchel must hold his hands up for this one.”

Criticism of England’s style of play also featured heavily among the comments.

One reader simply wrote: “Same old, same old, this obsession with passing back to the goalie!”

Football analysts have similarly pointed to England’s increasingly defensive approach in the closing stages, with Argentina taking control of possession and territory as they searched for an equaliser.

Although many supporters were disappointed with the result, not all the reaction was critical.

One reader praised the team’s efforts throughout the tournament despite the painful ending.

“Well, the team gave it their all, and it’s heartbreaking to see them bow out,” he wrote.

“They had a great run and showed incredible spirit.”

Another chose to focus on England’s conduct during a fiercely competitive encounter.

“At least England played fair, that’s all I’m going to say,” she commented.

Despite leading with only minutes remaining, England were unable to withstand Argentina’s late surge, with Messi once again proving the difference as he created both goals.

For many supporters, the defeat will be especially difficult to take given how close England came to reaching the final.

The reaction from Bolton News readers suggests there is admiration for the players’ efforts over the course of the tournament, but significant frustration at the tactical decisions made after Gordon’s goal.

England still have the chance to end their campaign with a victory over France in the third-place play-off, but their World Cup dream has slipped away once again.

For fans, the debate over whether England were too cautious when it mattered most is likely to continue long after the final whistle in Atlanta.

Wheldrake Parish Council said it has spent more than 18 months waiting for vehicle-activated speed (VAS) road signs to be installed at the village’s entrances, after an agreement in principle was reached with City of York Council over where they could be put.

The Parish Council claimed the delays are at odds with parishes in neighbouring North Yorkshire Council, saying that once siting of signs is approved – usually withing three to four months – the local parish council can obtain the signs from manufacturers directly and get them installed.

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The news comes at the same time as the two-year anniversary of a Community Speed Watch (CSW) programme in the village, which Wheldrake Parish Council said was operated under the guidance of North Yorkshire Police.

A City of York Council spokesperson said no additional highways measures were recommended at the time of the launch of the CSW and funding has been secured for two signs to be installed in this financial year.

The parish council said since July 2024, there have been 55 CSW sessions monitoring 4,915 vehicles, with 125 drivers logged as speeding.

The parish council chair said it had an agreement in principle with City of York Council to site the VAR road signs at either end of Wheldrake (Image: Kevin Glenton)

Eight CSW sites are approved in the village, with Church Lane—approaching from Thorganby—recording the most speeding vehicles.

Sue Nelson, chair of Wheldrake Parish Council, said: “The lack of progress is infuriating, especially as 139 new homes are being built in the village, a scheme we supported as part of the parish’s contribution to the City of York’s need for more housing stock.

“This is obviously increasing the amount of traffic using the village, which is a busy route at the best of times.”

The parish councillors have offered to fund the signs in a bid to speed up the process but said City of York Council insists on handling procurement and installation itself.

Garry Taylor, director of city development at the city council, said: “We work closely with North Yorkshire Police to investigate concerns about speeding and identify the most appropriate response.

“Following concerns raised by Wheldrake Parish Council, North Yorkshire Police assessed the issue and supported the introduction of Community Speed Watch.

“No additional highway measures were recommended at that time.”

The parish council has requested alternative measures including angled gates and chicanes, but both were declined.

Ms Nelson said: “We’ve been told the only speed reduction tool we can have is the VAS signs, but after nearly two years of waiting where are they?

“We’re sick and tired of being fobbed off, especially as we’ve been trying hard to do our bit to reduce speed in the village.”

Mr Taylor said: “We can confirm that funding from the York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority’s Mayoral Transport Fund has been secured to install two signs in Wheldrake as part of a wider programme across the city during 2026/27.

“As the highway authority, we are responsible for procuring, installing, and maintaining traffic signs and equipment.

“This ensures installations are safe, meet required standards and are managed consistently across the city.”

Northern Ireland’s Rory McIlroy was left frustrated after ‘stupid mistakes’ and a poor putting display left him seven shots off the pace

Rory McIlroy remains optimistic about mounting a challenge at the Open Championship despite opening his campaign at Royal Birkdale with a disappointing two-over-par 72.

The Masters champion struggled with his putter on the Southport links, squandering multiple chances and recording six bogeys throughout his round.

He salvaged some ground with four birdies, including one at the 18th, and having battled the toughest conditions of the opening day before completing his round at 8.43pm, is convinced he can recover.

The world number two, who sits seven shots behind surprise leader Jackson Suber, said: “There were just too many stupid mistakes – but every time I made a stupid mistake, thankfully I made a birdie to sort of keep myself in it.

“I’m not too far away. If you look at the discrepancy between the scoring this morning and the scoring this afternoon, it looks like that’s going to be flipped tomorrow with the conditions again.

“Hopefully I can take advantage of the more benign conditions in the morning and shoot one under par and get back in it.”

McIlroy’s putting woes saw him miss three attempts from inside four feet, leaving him languishing in 104th place in the putting statistics.

His struggles reached a low point at the par-five 17th, where after hooking his approach into the gallery and then flying the green into a bunker, he twisted his body awkwardly to splash out to eight feet – only to miss the putt for a bogey.

At least he ended on an upbeat note with a superb approach from 198 yards to five feet, finally converting a short birdie putt. He said: “I left one from pretty much tap-in range on nine to make a birdie. I missed three four-footers in the space of four holes and that’s tough.

“But I’m not going to go back to the house and analyse it too much. I’ll focus on the positives, which were I took it on off the tee and drove the ball very, very well, hit some really good shots, played the hard holes well.”

McIlroy faces a significant challenge to overturn recent historical trends and capture a second Open crown and seventh major championship in total, which would officially make him the most successful European golfer of all time.

While he did mount a remarkable comeback to win last year’s Masters from seven shots back, each of the previous 26 Open champions have been positioned within five shots of the lead following the opening round. The last competitor to overcome a larger deficit was Mark O’Meara in 1998, notably at Birkdale.

McIlroy stood at two over through seven holes, having failed to get up and down at the par-three fourth and two-putted from inside four feet at the short but tricky seventh.

He squandered a three-footer at the following hole – on this occasion for birdie – but eventually registered one after driving the green at the downwind 415-yard ninth, making the turn at one over.

Consecutive bogeys at the beginning of his inward nine stalled any progress before a 24-footer dropped at the 13th for his second birdie of the round.

He struggled badly on both par-fives – despite holing a 12ft birdie at the 206-yard 15th – but managed to salvage something towards the finish.

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By LIAM MORGAN, ASSISTANT SPORTS EDITOR

Published: 20:57 BST, 16 July 2026 | Updated: 06:48 BST, 17 July 2026

Enzo Fernandez has risked further upsetting England fans after appearing to troll the Three Lions following Argentina’s victory in the semi-finals of the World Cup.

The Chelsea midfielder could be in for a hostile reception from opposition supporters next season – should he remain at Stamford Bridge – for his antics after the world champions took a step closer to retaining their title with a 2-1 win in Atlanta on Wednesday.

And Fernandez on Thursday shared a post on Instagram which featured a picture of him alongside Lionel Messi and Leandro Paredes.

It will not be lost on England fans that the post was accompanied by the Oasis hit Wonderwall, which became the soundtrack to the Three Lions’ World Cup campaign.

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Harry Kane and Co gathered on the pitch to sing the iconic song in front of England fans throughout the tournament in north America.

Fernandez later reshared the post without any mention of Wonderwall.

Enzo Fernandez shared a post featuring this picture on Instagram, accompanied by the Oasis song Wonderwall

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The hit had become the soundtrack of England’s World Cup campaign in north America

The 25-year-old fired Argentina level after 85 minutes on Wednesday night, and immediately raced over to stand in front of England fans, cupped his hands behind his ears and stuck out his tongue, then blew a kiss.

Chelsea were later forced to delete a post on X which celebrated wantaway star Fernandez’s equaliser amid fan fury.

The Blues’ social media account shared a photo of Fernandez’s celebration after his equaliser, with the caption ‘Enzo Fernandez’ and an explosion emoji. 

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The Premier League side received an instant backlash from England supporters over the post.

‘Seriously. We’re an English football club. Poor from my club. Poor,’ one fan wrote.

‘Why the f*** are you posting this as an English club when he scored against England,’ another said.

‘The absolute cheek of an English football club to tweet this. Grim,’ a third said.

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‘Once again just proving how very out of touch you lot are these days….. Sure your club captain will enjoy seeing this post,’ wrote another.

One fan referenced how Fernandez has flirted with a move away from Chelsea in their criticism of the club’s post.

‘Read the room, disgusting. Especially when that player would spit at us at any opportunity,’ the fan wrote.

Chelsea, following a wave of comments from furious supporters, ultimately deleted the post.

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Fernandez’s club future has been the subject of speculation, after he revealed his desire to live in Spain one day, amid links to Real Madrid.

The midfielder’s comments led to him being given an internal two-match ban by Chelsea back in April.

New Chelsea boss Xabi Alonso stated this week that he wants the vice-captain to remain at the club next season after Real Madrid made a remarkable statement insisting they were not interested in the player.

How much is David Beckham set to pocket from his World Cup brand deals? Take on our quiz in our newsletter HERE. 

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Another man was rescued by the Coastguard after he managed to make his way to a buoy

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The heartbroken family of a 19-year-old kayaker who is missing presumed dead have paid tribute to the “much-loved son, brother, grandson, nephew, team-mate and friend”.

Michael Henry, from Rothbury in Northumberland, was one of two men who were on a kayak near Boulmer when it capsized on the evening of July 7, Northumbria Police said. The other man managed to make it to a buoy and was rescued by the coastguard.

Extensive searches for Michael were conducted in the sea following the capize. But Northumbria Police confirmed on Wednesday that they had concluded their operation, believing the teenager has died.

In a statement, Michael’s family said: “We would like to thank everyone for all their love, kindness and support now and throughout Michael’s life; it was that love and kindness that made him the marvellous person he was.

“Michael was a much-loved son, brother, grandson, nephew, team-mate and friend; a keen sportsman who loved the outdoors. Michael was preparing to go travelling this summer and hoping to start university next academic year.

“Michael will be forever in our thoughts, and we will miss him. Our thanks go to the emergency services and everyone who is helping to search for Michael.”

Chief Inspector Jon Caisley says officer combed both the sea and coastline before deciding that Michael most likely died at sea. He said: “This is a tragic update to share, and I would like to extend our deepest sympathies to Michael’s family and friends.

“Despite extensive searches at sea and on the coast, we have been unable to find Michael and he is sadly believed to have died at sea. We know the impact this news will have upon his loved ones and the wider community.”

Mr Caisley added: “I would also like to thank all of our officers and partners for their assistance in the search efforts to find Michael. “We would continue to ask that people respect the family’s privacy at this time.”

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Yet as Nobby Stiles’ health began to deteriorate and he began to lose his faculties, his family claim he was ‘abandoned’ by the game he so dearly loved, despite it ‘rolling in cash.’

That was even more heartbreaking for his loved ones who always suspected that his dementia was at least in part the result of his career and how often he was required to head the ball.

Yesterday (July 16), a brain expert and a coroner both vindicated that view. Following an inquest into Nobby’s death, where she received evidence from a renowned neuropathologist, Senior coroner Alison Mutch said that as well as Alzheimer’s disease, the former footballer had a degenerative brain condition called chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) which is caused by repeated impacts to the head.

Ms Mutch concluded the CTE had ‘significantly contributed’ to his death and that she was ‘entirely satisfied’ that the reason he developed the condition was ‘repeated heading of the ball.’

Nobby’s son John Stiles told the hearing that his dad even a ‘very conservative’ estimate his dad would have headed a ball 40 times a day, five days a week, each ten month season across a 17-year career, which meant he could have headed the ball more than 136,000 times.

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He said his father was in his 50s when the family first started noticing he was ‘forgetting things’ and that things got gradually ‘worse and worse’ He said there was a ‘feeling of doom’ in the family and that in 2010 Nobby decided to sell his medals as he ‘didn’t know what was coming but knew something was coming’ and wanted a pot to pay for his care.

His World Cup winning medal was bought by Manchester United’s club museum for £160,000. His 1968 European Cup winners’ medal sold for £49,402, with a total of 45 items of memorabilia selling for £424,438.

Nobby, who lived in Stretford, eventually moved into a care home in nearby Urmston, where tragically died on October 30, 2020.

The inquest heard that at the time of his death he was ‘severely disabled through dementia’ including being ‘bed bound, immobile and mute.’

Ms Mutch said: “For a man who graced the pitches of some of the world’s greatest football grounds, it is difficult to imagine a sadder way to end their life.”

John Stiles alerted the coroner after examination of Nobby’s brain by renowned brain expert Dr Willie Stewart identified the presence of CTE. The coroner instructed another examination by esteemed neuropathologist Dr Daniel Du Plessis.

He told the inquest: “”I’m quite convinced his heading the football that many times has caused his CTE.”

Adding: “This is a very complicated issue and it is important to use such a death to highlight – that we do now know repeated head injuries have an impact on the brain.”

Speaking afterwards, John Stiles said he predicted an ‘epidemic’ of similar cases as he said thousands of players such as his dad, had been ‘abandoned.’

Mr Stiles is now head of the Football Families for Justice (FFJ) group which is calling on the football authorities to do more for ex-players. He is among dozens of former footballers and their families suing the Football Association, the Football Association of Wales and the English Football League over claims they were “negligent and in breach of their duty of care” to the former players.

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Lawyers for the former players and their families have previously said football bodies knew or should have known that repeatedly heading a ball in training and during matches was likely to cause brain injuries, and that the risks were known for decades.

In March this year lawyers for the FA told the High Court it has ‘not been established by science’ that heading a ball or ‘occasional’ concussion can lead to permanent brain damage.

In January an inquest into the death of Gordon McQueen, 70, an ex-Scotland, Manchester United and Leeds United defender, found that heading the ball was ‘likely’ to have contributed to a brain injury which was a factor in his death.

McQueen was also diagnosed with CTE. McQueen’s TV presenter daughter Hayley McQueen said England’s 1966 World Cup-winning team had now been “pretty much wiped out” by neurodegenerative disease.

And following his father’s inquest, John Stiles said more needed to be done to help those affected by the issue.

“I think this will among the first few of thousands of such inquests of players who have incurred brain disease” he said. “The football industry refused to provide help to these players and their families and the government refuses to intervene.

“Tragically the brain injuries epidemic will grow more and more as so many more girls play football. Women’s brains are even more suspectable to damage from heading. The industry and government have failed to implement a strategy of prevention. Today’s players incur the same, fatal brain injuries.

‘It is a shame and a scandal that the industry and government have failed to support these vulnerable people’

“As we rightly celebrate the football heroes of today, 60 years after the heroics of 1966, it is right to remember people like dad, and the thousands of others, abandoned by a industry ‘rolling in cash.’

“It is a shame and a scandal that the industry and the government have failed to support these vulnerable people.”

He said the Professional Footballers’ Association (PFA), the trade union which ‘was supposed to be protect the players and which they paid their subs to’ had been ‘nowhere to be seen.’

He dubbed the £1 million fund the PFA launched with the Premier League in 2023 to ‘assist former players, and their families, who have been impacted by dementia and other neurodegenerative conditions’ as being ‘pathetic.’

“It is not adequate” he said. “It’s a PR stunt. We desperately need a proper fund that will take care of players, in particular when they need care home costs.”

He also said there needed to be better education for players on the risks. “Everyone needs to be aware of CTE” he said. ”We have got an epidemic here. If you head the ball thousands of times, you will get CTE more likely than not. This disease is everywhere but there is still massive ignorance about.”

“We have to do something about it, drastically,” he continued. “We don’t want to stop people heading the ball. But youngsters now are not informed about the risks. If someone is informed, then they can make a proper decision. But football has not addressed this.”

Mr Stiles, himself a former footballer who played for Leeds United, Doncaster Rovers and Rochdale amongst other clubs, said his enjoyment of the game had ‘soured a long time ago’ “Every week I talk to families who are going through the same thing my family went through” he said as he said the coroner’s findings had given him ‘some comfort.’

Ms Mutch said she planned to write to the FA and also to the Department of Education about heading in school PE lessons.

The FA co-funded with the Professional Footballers’ Association a 2019 study that found footballers were three-and-a-half times more likely to die of neurodegenerative disease than age-matched members of the general population. The governing body is phasing out all heading in youth football up to under-11s by 2026.

An FA spokesperson told the Manchester Evening News: “Nobby Stiles was one of English football’s most influential players and he was a key member of our 1966 World Cup-winning team.

“His contribution to both our national and domestic game helped to shape one of the most significant eras in English football history, and we were deeply saddened by his passing in 2020.

“While the link between heading in football and long-term brain health remains the subject of ongoing scientific and medical research, we have consistently been at the forefront of efforts to help improve the safety of our game.

We have led the way in this area to proactively review and strengthen player welfare across every level of English football, working closely with our domestic and international stakeholders.

“We were the first governing body to introduce comprehensive heading guidelines across both professional and grassroots football, and we continue to review and enhance our game-wide concussion protocols in line with worldwide best practice.

“We have also invested in and actively supported multiple independent research projects, often resulting in groundbreaking and valuable insight, in order to gain a greater understanding of this complex area through objective, robust and thorough analysis.”