Craig Whymark stated that his father’s diagnosis provided some “relief” because they realized something was wrong”The specialist asked if dad had any questions, assuming they were regarding what was to come. And Dad said, given that he hadn’t played football in a long time, ‘Am I still able to complete my football warm-ups?'”
His memory degraded further during the initial Covid shutdown. Mr Whymark stated: We [his children] recognized when we saw him that his memory was deteriorating… the realization hit a little harder, and we were still coming to terms with the idea that dad had Alzheimer’s.
Former Ipswich Town player Terry Butcher, who has studied links between Alzheimer’s and football, described Whymark as “one of the best headers of a ball I’ve seen”. Mr Whymark claimed his father’s heading abilities were refined as a boy with a leather football when he would do up to 1,000 headers against a neighbor’s wall.
“With Alzheimer’s [and the] constant banging of the head with the ball, that has got to have something to do with it,” added the son.
Trevor Whymark Obituary and Funeral Arrangements will be Released by the Family