Former England captain David Watson wins appeal against refusal of industrial injuries benefit for football’s impact on his health
6 November 2025
Garden Court North’s Tom Royston represented David Watson at the Upper Tribunal (pictured). Gordon Bell / Shutterstock.
Former England football captain David Watson has won his appeal today (6 November 2025) against a government decision which refused him industrial injuries benefit for a brain injury he says he suffered while playing football.
Mr Watson has been diagnosed with probable chronic traumatic encephalopathy (‘CTE’) and probable Alzheimer’s dementia. He connects these to a significant number of head traumas he suffered during his professional career.
In the 1970s and 1980s,Mr Watson had a top flight league career as a defender for clubs including Sunderland AFC, Manchester City and Stoke City, as well as his 65 England caps. He is one of a number of retired players drawing attention to the dangers of head injuries in football, supported by extensive research.
Mr Watson was refused industrial injuries benefit by the Department for Work and Pensions because they did not accept the link between his CTE/dementia and his football injuries. He appealed to the First-Tier Tribunal but the appeal was dismissed. He then instructed Garden Court North’s Tom Royston to appeal to the Upper Tribunal.
In its judgment released today, the Upper Tribunal finds a series of legal errors in the decision of the lower court, and gives useful guidance on the approach the government and tribunals should take in these cases.
The judgment notes that where a person relies on having suffered ‘accidents’ at work, a wide range of things can constitute accidents, and that it is relevant to consider whether the risks (for instance, of a head injury causing permanent damage) were understood at the time.
The appeal was allowed on all grounds. Mr Watson’s case will now have to be reconsidered by a lower court.
Garden Court North’s Tom Royston acted for Mr Watson, instructed by Ryan Bradshaw at Leigh Day.
Additional media
Upper Tribunal – Watson v Secretary of State for Work and Pensions [2025] UKUT 365 (AAC) (6 November 2025)
Leigh Day – Ex-England captain David Watson wins latest legal fight for recognition of football’s toll on his health
For further information, please contact Alex Blair, Communications Manager at Garden Court North Chambers: ablair@gcnchambers.co.uk
