Ex-Forest striker's family share dementia heartache

"Wherever my dad goes, he still wears his Forest cap. He will always be part of the Nottingham Forest family".

Six decades on from Frank Wignall's five-year playing career at the City Ground, the 86-year-old former striker is living in a Nottinghamshire care home with Alzheimer's disease.

Now his family say they are hoping to build on his legacy by talking about the heartbreak of witnessing his decline in the hope of helping other families in a similar situation.

Wignall, who also played for Everton, Derby County Wolves and Mansfield Town, was Forest's top goal scorer in his first two seasons at the club.

During his five years at the City Ground from 1963 to 1968 he also earned two caps for England and scored twice for his country.

His son, Stephen Wignall, says his pride for his sporting father's achievements is tinged with sadness these days due to his illness.

However, the 49-year-old and his sisters Lynne Abbott, 60, and Caroline O'Loughlin, 58, are determined to use his footballing legacy to inspire other families who may feel isolated to explore what help is available.

Frank was officially diagnosed with the degenerative condition in January 2018, but looking back, his family say it was clear the disease was impacting his memory earlier.

At the time, he was caring for his wife Cath who had Parkinson's Disease and dementia. She died in January 2021, three months before what would have been the couple's 60th wedding anniversary.

Caroline said "When you are dealing with a difficult situation you sometimes overlook things.

"It was when we had carers come into help they kept saying 'are you sure your dad is OK?'. That is when we realised he wasn't himself".

Lynne said her dad had become more forgetful, tasks became tougher and "he just wasn't coping".

In May 2024 Frank moved into a care home. Over time his memory of Nottingham Forest has faded but his family still see glimpses of the old Frank and his passion for football.

He attends the Forget Me Notts support group run by Nottinghamshire Cricket Club's Trent Bridge Community trust,

The sessions provide a break from his care home and are designed lift both his and his relative's spirits.

Stephen said: "He absolutely loves coming down, you know, participating in all the activities, bingo, exercise and seeing other people with dementia and their families."

And Lynne says she still sees glimpses of her old dad.

"He's definitely still got a cheeky side, mischievous. In his football days he wasn't to be messed with on the pitch," she said.

Caroline added: "I guess you had to be tough in football in those days."

Frank's son-in-law Graham Abbott has become a volunteer for charity, the Rushcliffe Dementia Action Network which is holding an event at Rushcliffe Arena from 10:00 to 13:00 BST on Thursday 23 April for families impacted by dementia.

"There will be about 50 organisations and people who are associated with dementia - people who can help with information from the Alzheimer's Society to the police to dealing with fraud, to opticians," the 63-year-old said.

"The sooner you get support and advice the better, it suddenly becomes more manageable."

The family said they believed dementia is in many ways a living bereavement and while they accept support can be patchy, they have found help is out there and it has helped them and Frank enormously.

Now they are hoping their footballing father's colourful past will remind families who may feel isolated that they are not alone when it comes to this cruel condition.

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