What's happened
Former Aston Villa and Northern Ireland defender Chris Nicholl has passed away at the age of 77 after battling dementia.
Why it matters
Nicholl's passing is significant as it highlights the long-term impact of head injuries in football and the toll it can take on players' health after retirement.
What the papers say
The Independent reports on Nicholl's death and his family's statement, while The Guardian provides additional details on his career and the impact he had on the clubs he played for and managed.
How we got here
Chris Nicholl had a successful career as a footballer and manager, representing Aston Villa, Southampton, and Northern Ireland. He had been living with dementia, which he attributed to brain damage caused by repeatedly heading balls over his lengthy career.
More on these topics
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Aston Villa Football Club is an English professional football club based in Aston, Birmingham. The club competes in the Premier League, the top tier of the English football league system.
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Northern Ireland is variously described as a country, province or region which is part of the United Kingdom. Located in the northeast of the island of Ireland, Northern Ireland shares a border to the south and west with the Republic of Ireland.