Local resident Steven Chaytor has published a heartfelt book about his father,
footballer Kenny Chaytor, and recently spoke to Sedgefield News about the
story behind it.
“The Last Goal of The Durham Wonderboy is the story of my father, Kenny
Chaytor, a professional footballer in the 1950s who died last year with
dementia. I wrote the book, not just to tell his football story, but also to
chronicle his dementia journey. Central to the story is the support he received
from the Professional Footballers’ Association (PFA). The public perception is
that the game does not support ex-players. However, in 2023 the Football Brain
Health Fund was created by the PFA and the Premier League and my dad was
in the first very small group of players
to receive support.
The book is rich in stories and
anecdotes and says much about the
way the professional game has
changed in the last sixty years. It is
very personal, very honest and
unsparing about the effects of
dementia. However, despite being a
serious subject, there is plenty of
humour and anyone dealing with
dementia in the family will recognise
much of what my family experienced.
I hope people will enjoy reading
about a quiet, shy man who was
something of a local hero.”
The book can be
ordered or bought
wherever you buy
your books but
most importantly at
the brilliant Back of
Beyond Books in
Sedgefield.
