Francesca Lyons is appealing for help to bring her father, Everton icon Mike Lyons, back to England from Australia as he lives with dementia. The former centre-back’s daughter has spoken publicly about the family's struggle and her hope that the Professional Footballers' Association can assist in facilitating his return to Merseyside.

Francesca Lyons stated she is trying to get her father back to England because he wants to come home. She explained that while there is talk of the PFA potentially helping, the practicalities of the move are complex. Her primary focus is to have her father spend his remaining time surrounded by family in the UK, a sentiment she described as feeling like borrowed time.

Mike Lyons is a former Everton centre-back who made hundreds of appearances for the club. He was born and raised in the local area but now lives in a care facility in the northern suburbs of Perth, Australia. His room contains framed images from his footballing days, including pictures of former coaches. A book detailing his life and career is now available.

The link to football

The family of the former player believes his condition, diagnosed in 2021, is connected to his career. Research indicates central defenders are significantly more likely to be diagnosed with dementia than the general population. Francesca Lyons pointed to repetitive head injuries from years of heading the ball. A former teammate suggested the damage came not only from matches but also from constant heading practice at the training ground. Francesca advocates for more education and support for affected families, acknowledging that awareness and concussion procedures have improved for current players.

A call for practical support

Francesca has spoken about the lack of guidance she faced when her father was first diagnosed. She said she did not know which way to turn, emphasising the need for practical help for families. She has found support from others who have lived through similar experiences, whose fathers also suffered from football-related brain conditions. Her appeal highlights a wider issue within the sport. Francesca Lyons’ hope is that her father’s situation shows the ongoing need to care for the generations who built the game.

This story first appeared at Liverpool Echo