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Search forLuggy vows to stay the course after Parkinson's revelation
Tuesday, July 29, 2008, 07:00
Mr Sturrock has revealed that he was diagnosed with a mild form of the progressive neurological condition in 2000, early in his first spell as the Pilgrims' boss.
Since then he has won promotion with three different clubs – Argyle, Sheffield Wednesday and Swindon Town.
The 51-year-old lived with the secret until yesterday lunchtime, when he decided to speak openly about his illness at a Home Park press conference.
Not even Argyle chairman Paul Stapleton knew that Mr Sturrock, who started his second stint as manager last November, was suffering from the illness.
Mr Sturrock admitted: “I really feel like I have got a weight taken off my shoulders.”
Parkinson's Disease is a disorder of the central nervous system that can impair the sufferer's motor skills and speech, as well as other functions.
It is caused by the loss of the brain cells that produce dopamine, a chemical that carries signals between the neurons in the brain and which enables people to perform smooth, co-ordinated movements.
There is no cure, but a lot can be done to relieve symptoms, especially in the early stages.
The aim is to replace the missing dopamine in the brain, which can be done very effectively with drugs.
Mr Sturrock has walked with noticeable difficulty since returning to Argyle last November.
The former Scotland international striker attributed that to an Achilles tendon problem, which stemmed from tackles on him in his playing career.
But, less than two weeks before the start of Argyle's 2008/09 Championship campaign, he confirmed the real reason.
The man affectionately known throughout football as Luggy told the Pilgrims' players about his illness at a meeting before his Press conference yesterday.
“It will not affect my ability to manage this football club in any form at all,” he said.
“It's a mild form of Parkinson's Disease and through the consultants and through the tablets I have never really had a problem with it.
“But, obviously, with this walking thing now, I thought the time had come to tell people about it.
“I don't like telling lies. I didn't want to mislead anyone, so I thought it was appropriate to do it now, before the season starts.”
Mr Sturrock continued: “I think I have had a fairly successful career over the last eight years, and it has never hindered my ability to manage any of the football clubs I have been at.
“I have never felt it needed to be discussed until this time, because obviously I have got a slight walking deficiency.
“Lots of people have commented on it, and rumoured on it, so I thought it was time to talk about it. I have got a slight tremor on my left side and a flicker with my foot. But, at the end of the day, you don't die from Parkinson's Disease.
“It's a degenerative disease, but I have been made aware by the specialist they are finding new tablets every day.
“They are very, very hopeful, sooner than later, they will have a cure for it.”
Mr Sturrock's coaching staff of Kevin Summerfield and John Blackley – who have worked with him at Argyle, Southampton, Sheffield Wednesday and Swindon Town since 2000 – knew about his illness.
So did the doctors at all four clubs.
Mr Sturrock said: “It has never affected my job. The tablets keep it under very good control.
“It's only now and then when I forget to take my tablets that you see any tremor.”
Former Arsenal and Liverpool midfielder Ray Kennedy, who won every English honour, as well as the European Cup and UEFA Cup, is a sufferer of Parkinson's Disease, having been diagnosed at 35.
Other sufferers include Pope John Paul II, boxer Muhammad Ali and actor Michael J Fox.
The Argyle boss added: “There are all sorts of tablets you can take. They have a masking effect. At this minute, I'm on very mild tablets as far as the illness is concerned.
“As the specialist has told me, it's a bog-standard version. It can be quite scary to watch some people who have Parkinson's Disease, but I don't have that kind of problem.
“I will stand by the success I have had as a manager so far, and I think it will continue.”
Members of an on-line Plymouth Argyle supporters' club have shown huge support for Mr Sturrock, showing huge pride at his toughness and resilience.
One fan said: “Fair play to him for letting people know. The good thing is that it was discovered early and is easily treated, so he's still able to live life to the fullest.”
Another commented: “He is a superb advert for anyone that has the disease, and wants to continue in work. I'm sure he'll manage to control it for a number of years, and enjoy a long career at Argyle.”
Fan John Lloyd said: “It makes his achievements over the years even more impressive.”
And another supporter said: “What a great attitude Luggy has towards it (Parkinson's Disease). He had it when he was in charge of Argyle the first time round too. I have even more respect for him now.”
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BUSINESS AS USUAL: Paul Sturrock guides his players through training in Austria last week
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