FORMER Barrow Raiders coach and player Bobbie Goulding is among ten ex-players suing the Rugby Football League for negligence following a diagnosis of early onset dementia.

They claim negligence over the RFL’s alleged failure to protect them from brain injuries caused by concussion during their careers.

The 49-year-old, capped 17 times by Great Britain is the most high profile name on the list.

He played for ten clubs and the last one was Barrow where he was coach in 2014 and he played three times at the age of 42.

Before Barrow he played for other Super League clubs St Helens, Wigan, Leeds, Wakefield, Salford, and Wakefield as well as Leigh Centurions, Widnes and Rochdale.

"To get the diagnosis was devastating. 'I'm a bit shook up. I've never been scared of anything in my life, but I'm scared now," he told the Daily Mail.

"I've got a lovely family to think about and my grandson now. He means more to me than anything and I absolutely idolise him. And if this does go quickly I might not get much time with him.

"I hope everything's going to be okay. In some ways it's worse knowing as it's always at the back of your mind. If you don't know about it, you can get on with your life.

PLAY: Bobbie Goulding playing for Barrow against Leigh in 2014

PLAY: Bobbie Goulding playing for Barrow against Leigh in 2014

"It has come out of the blue and hit me like a bus, it is hard to take. I didn't think about dementia at all, I just thought it was the way life was.

"You'd be better off speaking to my wife and daughter about what I'm like but things aren't right.

"I'm argumentative. I forget things. Last week I even forgot I was on a Zoom call with the neurologist. I'd signed into it okay but the next thing my phone was ringing red hot.

"I didn't answer it as I didn't recognise the number, and then my daughter came in to tell me what I was supposed to be doing. I finally answered the call and it was the doctor I'd logged on my computer to speak to 10 minutes earlier."

Lawyers say the players are all suffering from “neurological complications” and they are now planning a legal claim against the RFL for negligence.

PLAYER: Bobbie Goulding before Featherstone Rovers vs Barrow Raiders. August 3, 2014

A spokesman for the Rugby Football League said: “The Rugby Football League has recently been contacted by solicitors representing a number of former players.

"The RFL takes player safety and welfare extremely seriously, and has been saddened to hear about some of the former players’ difficulties.

"Rugby League is a contact sport and while there is an element of risk to playing any sport, player welfare is always of paramount importance.

"As a result of scientific knowledge, the sport of Rugby League continues to improve and develop its approach to concussion, head injury assessment, education, management and prevention across the whole game. We will continue to use medical evidence and research to reinforce and enhance our approach.”