Former Cheltenham Town and Northampton Town striker Neil Grayson has been diagnosed with motor neurone disease and dementia, a development that shocks the football community.

Grayson, a product of Yorkshire clubs Doncaster Rovers and York, carved a memorable spell at Cheltenham between 1998 and 2002. He made over 195 appearances, earned the club’s player of the year title, and topped the scoring charts for three seasons, helping the Cobblers secure promotion to the Football League in 1999.

The diagnosis follows Grayson's earlier success, including a 12‑goal haul that earned him Division Three promotion in 1997 and the fastest hat‑trick in club history against Hartlepool. His illness underscores the growing concern over neurodegenerative conditions in former professional footballers and raises questions about long‑term player welfare.