Hartlepool United players and fans pay respects to cup hero Len Johnrose

Johnrose played for Pools in their famous 1-0 third round FA Cup win over Crystal Palace on an arctic Victoria Ground pitch in January 1993.

He later became a school teacher in his native Lancashire after his retirement and helped raise funds for the MND Association following his own diagnosis in 2017.

Following his death on Monday morning, Pools held a minute’s silence before the start of their League Two home game with Tranmere Rovers on Tuesday night.

Spectators later joined in a minute’s applause in the 52nd minute to mark his age.

Hartlepool United also described him as “a great man both on and off the pitch”.

There is a one in 300 risk of a person developing MND, which prevents messages from the brain and nerves from reaching muscles, in their lifetime.

There are still no clear answers about what causes it and there is no cure.

But ongoing research suggests that professional footballers have an increased chance of developing the illness and Johnrose campaigned vigorously for restrictions to be placed on children heading balls.

Guidance has been introduced advising all heading to be avoided in under-11s football training while this season the Football Association will trial the complete removal of heading in selected under-12s competitions.

Speaking to the Mail in 2020 about his campaign work, Johnrose, by then a wheelchair user, said: "I know what is around the corner and I accept all that. There is nothing I can do.

"But I have had a really good life. It is not all doom and gloom and I enjoy my time with my family and friends.

"I think there are other people who have it far more difficult than me.”

One of the first black players to play for Hartlepool United, he played both up front and in midfield for the club and scored 16 goals in 82 appearances between 1992-94.

He later played for Bury, Burnley and Swansea City after starting his career at Blackburn Rovers.

Recalling the win against Premier League Palace, then two divisions about Pools, he said: “What a day, what an atmosphere. The fans were great and Palace just didn’t fancy it.

"I remember Nigel Martyn, the England goalkeeper, came out with tracksuit bottoms on and we knew they were not up for it so totally weighed into them.”

He also said: “I really enjoyed Hartlepool. I loved the club, the people, the fans, they were great.”

The MND Association said: “Len lived with this brutal disease in the public eye after choosing to announce his diagnosis in the summer of 2018.

"Following that he selflessly dedicated huge amounts of time to raising awareness.

“Len’s infectious smile, sense of humour, pragmatic approach to life and determination to do everything he could to work on behalf of people with MND made him a very popular figure within the MND community. He will be sorely missed.

“We would like to pass our sympathies to Len’s wife Nadine, his three children Chanel, Elizabeth and Patrick, his family and friends, and also our gratitude for their unwavering support.”

Contact the MND Association on 0808 802 6262 or online go to www.mndassociation.org.

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