Rugby legend Garry Schofield, 59, forced to have eye removed as he reveals brain condition that will lead to dementia

A RUGBY LEAGUE legend had an eye removed as part of his treatment for a serious brain condition that will lead to dementia.

Hall of Famer Garry Schofield, 59, enjoyed a stellar career with Hull FC and Leeds Rhinos in the 1980s and 1990s.

He earned three England caps and played for Great Britain 46 times before stepping into punditry following his retirement.

However, the former centre revealed he is stepping away from the sport to focus on his health.

And that includes receiving treatment for his brain damage.

Writing in his final column, Schofield said: "I was diagnosed with brain damage in March 2023 and have kept it a closely guarded secret until now.

"The symptoms, which I will share with you, are horrendous.

"I've been told I will end up with dementia, so the time has come for me to walk away from the game and concentrate on my health.

"I can trace my problems back to December 2019 when I had an operation to fix a detached retina in my left eye. But it wasn't successful.

"Five or six days later, it felt like my head was going to explode. I needed seven more operations and three laser procedures.

"Eye pressure should be between five and 23 mmHg (millimetres of mercury), yet my recordings were 82, 79, 78, 68, 67, 58, 44 and 40 which were quite literally off the chart.

"The hospital told me I should be on the floor, crying out in pain with those readings."

Schofield's surgeon said the eye that needed to be removed was "knackered" and since the operation has suffered from "headaches, migraines, forgetfulness, anxiety and lack of concentration".

But before his farewell from rugby league, he took one final dig at the sport.

Schofield added: "One reason I'm not too sad to be finishing this column is the sport just doesn't excite me anymore.

"The on-field product isn't anywhere near as entertaining as it should be.

"And off the field, everything is so sanitised that if you're not permanently 'on message' and 100 per cent 'positive' about everything, then there's no room for you.

"Balanced critical analysis has been driven out of English Rugby League by a governing body and clubs simply for the selfish reason that they don't appreciate scrutiny."

Schofield won the 1990 Rugby League World Golden Boot Award as the best player in the world that year and is widely considered one of rugby league's greats in living memory.