Ex-England captain David Watson wins latest legal fight for recognition of football’s toll on his health

In a judgment handed down today (6 November 2025) the Upper Tribunal has overturned a previous ruling from the First Tier Tribunal (FTT) upholding the DWP's previous decision not to award industrial injuries benefits to David. 

David’s case will now be sent back to the FTT to be reconsidered applying the correct legal approach. His case could set a precedent for many former footballers and other sportspeople to access benefits in the future.

David is now living with what doctors have described as “probable Alzheimer’s” and “probable CTE” (chronic traumatic encephalopathy). Recognition of the link between injuries he received during the course of his employment and his current circumstances should entitle him to industrial injury benefits, says his wife, Penny.  

David spent more than a decade at the top of English football in the 1970s and 80s. It is believed that his condition is the direct result of countless collisions, headers and impacts suffered in training and matches.

The issue of brain injury in footballers has received increasing attention in recent years, with growing recognition that many former players are living with dementia and related conditions linked to head trauma. The Professional Footballers’ Association (PFA) are supporting David and others in a similar position.

David, whose lawyers are helping with his claim for industrial benefits for head injuries linked to football, previously took his case to a FTT after the DWP rejected his initial claim.  

The FTT did accept that David suffered 10 documented head injuries that could properly be described as accidents in the course of his employment, as well as Penny’s evidence that these were only a fraction of the injuries David sustained across his long career.  

Despite this, the FTT dismissed David’s appeal, as it could not be satisfied that the 10 incidents directly contributed to David's loss of faculty. The FTT concluded the “process” of playing football routinely for many years, and the numerous undocumented injuries David would have therefore sustained, meant that he would have had the same neurological decline had none of the highlighted accidents occurred.

David’s appeal was heard by the Upper Tribunal on 1 October 2025.  

Considering whether the FTT made legal errors in reaching its original decision, the Upper Tribunal ruled that the effect of multiple undocumented incidents must be considered when assessing whether an injury will result in an award of benefits. It also ruled that the FTT had failed to give adequate reasons for the conclusions they had reached when previously dismissing David’s case.

David is represented by Ryan Bradshaw, human rights solicitor at law firm Leigh Day.

Penny Watson said:

“David gave everything to football, and he has paid a heavy price. We are relieved that the court has recognised that his injuries must be taken seriously and that his case deserves a proper hearing. This is not just about David, it is about all the players and families who are living with the consequences of head injuries. We just want fairness and recognition for what they have gone through.”

Ryan Bradshaw said:

“This judgment is an important step forward.  Professional footballers like David were exposed to repeated head injuries over many years as part of their work. The law exists to protect workers in exactly these circumstances, and we will continue to fight to ensure that proper support is given to all workers who are injured during the course of their employment.”