No-brainer: A Footballer's Story of Life, Love and Brain Injury Paperback – 25 April 2024

No-Brainer is a fabulous read. It’s a beautifully stitched story-mosaic telling tales of compassionate, intelligent and articulate people dealing with the challenges of dementia or CTE (chronic traumatic encephalopathy, a neurodegenerative disease linked to repeated trauma to the head, a diagnosis that can unhelpfully only be confirmed after death) in their loved ones. Interwoven amongst these deeply human stories is the author’s own fact-finding journey on various trains to the offices of the suited people in football, to several pubs for informal chats, down to Westminster to discuss governmental reports saying something should be done and to see scientists who have identified that repeated head injuries (say by heading a football) are a factor in developing early-onset dementia. For those families dealing with dementia in their loved ones, it’s also about the heartbreaking belief that their pain could have been avoided. It’s about the dark suspicion that organisations whose label implies they are there to look after the health and safety of said loved ones, walked on by and looked the other way. ‘Health and safety in the workplace’ is not clickbait and as far as football is concerned, it’s complicated, too complicated for a soundbite or a 140 character Tweet. This topic needs a book. I started my journey into trying to understand it when I signed up the profits of my maiden book on my late father-in-law Graham Hawkins, A Marriage Made in Football, to the charity co-founded by Dr Judith Gates, Head4Change. I’m still learning, but reading Mike Amos’ book, No Brainer, about the lives and campaigning of Judith and her footballer husband, Bill Gates, has been a wonderfully illuminating journey. The book is full of tales to tug at your heart-strings, but at no point does Mike Amos tell you what to think. He sets forth his evidence from all corners in a ‘chat over a pint’ self-deprecating style and you are at all times free to come to your own conclusions. That said, once you’ve done that, there’s a handy ‘Myths and Facts’ table at the end that leaves you in no doubt as to Mike Amos’ final destination.

I left County Durham over half century ago and recently discovered Mike Amos via this book, which I found to be a carefully crafted, intricately researched, delicately reported account of am emergent scandal; told darkly against a tender and enduring love story which leavened the bread of the football , a sport of which I have only cursory knowledge.I am an avid reader of many kinds of book, fact and fiction, and many styles of presentation.I would describe Mike as 'an old school ' journalist, with brilliant command of the English language and he gives attention to grammar, structure, vocabulary and punctuation which I find sadly missing in much modern writing. His light and easy style helped me navigate the 'football' aspects of the book which I might have found heavy going. The book spells out the details, of the increasing awareness of brain damage cause by 'heading the ball' the initial unwillingness to act of the powers that be, then leaves the reader to evaluate and judge for themself.Mike Amos will receive no monetary benefit from this book, but wrote 'pro bono' for a charity .The entire proceeds will help educate young people enjoy sport more safely than ever before by raising awareness of cognitive damage caused by head injuries.Bill was determined that his good fortune should help others avoid the tragedy which had befallen him.I highly commend this book to all parents, grandparents, and sports players. You will have a heart of stone if you do not shed tears as the tale unfolds.

This book is a must read if you are playing contact sports, it highlights the risks to both the person playing and the potential impact it will have on them and their loved ones in the future and the lack of understanding and support from those making money from sports.

A gripping read from start to finish telling the story of Bill Gates and his family, from humble beginnings through to success on and off the pitch. The amazing way that Bill and his family deal with the diagnosis of CTE and decide to raise awareness so that no one else should suffer is heart rending but also tinged with humour and was a complete eye opener for me. Strongly recommend that if you have any family who play football that you read this book so that you can make informed decisions for their future. I love football but it's clear that simple changes can help prevent this happening in the future.

A great incite into the association of head trauma and its potential link to dementia through the life of fortmer professional footballer Bill Gates. Highlighted the challenges that arise in getting the governing bodies of sports to accept that head trauma and dementia could well be linked. Written to tell a story of the footballer, his life and his demise. Well done Mike Amos and to Bill's wife,Judith Gates.

An outstanding book, so easy to read, that sheds light on the problem of heading a football, concussion, CTE and dementia that so many footballers succumb to. Heart-breaking in so many ways.

A very moving and enjoyable read, full of passion and determination. Lots of snippets of social history - couldn't put it down.

A well researched book on the dangers to the brain in contact sport and the human cost to participants and their families.

Mike Amos has produced a brilliant read on not only the scientific facts linking repeated head impacts with CTE but the emotional effect on families including the financial burden associated with loved ones in care homes. I was a young professional at Middlesbrough FC when Bill Gates was retiring without realising what lay ahead for him and his family. This book captures the amazing story of Bill, his family and others who unfortunately have gone down that awful path and one the authorities not only need to read but act upon to ensure our present generation of footballers do not suffer the same health and well being issues in later life. Thanks Mike for sharing an amazing story of Bill Gates and others.

This is an engaging story and an important read for anyone with loved ones who play soccer!