His face still lights up with a flash of recognition as he relives his glory days at Newcastle United.
John Tudor formed one of the club's great strike partnerships alongside Malcolm Macdonald in the 70s. But the Newcastle hero has spent the last 15 years locked in a battle with dementia and his condition is slowly getting worse.
John, 74, lives in America with his wife, Anne Tudor, after moving there decades ago on a mission to get youngsters into playing the game.
However, as his dementia progresses, the strain on Anne caring for him at home is taking its toll and now the family are looking into full-time care. However, with costs reaching as high as $10,000 a month, his son, Jonathan Tudor, says he has been left with no other option but to set up a fundraiser to help pay for his dad's dementia care.
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In setting up the appeal, Jonathan stressed that footballers like his dad earned nowhere near what top players earn today.
"He is struggling more and more, it is a cruel illness," Jonathan said.
"My mum is a really proud person and she doesn't like asking for help, but looking at the situation and the cost of these things... I was shocked when I found out it was $10,000 a month.
"I was going through my dad's contract that he had at Newcastle and he had a £20 win bonus and a £20 crowd bonus! Ever since dad finished playing, he has always been working and always had to work. There has never been a cushy player lifestyle."
John's mother, Edith, also had Alzheimer's, and as well as a possible hereditary link, the family is looking into whether heading the ball as a player also had an effect.
Although his short-term memory is sparse, John remains in good physical shape and is able to play table tennis and golf with his son. And Jonathan says his dad still has flashes of recognition when it comes to reminiscing about his professional football career.
"His face still lights up when I take him to certain places," Jonathan said.
"He was still excited to sit next to me and watch a game. We sit every day and go through old clips of all his games.
"He stands by the TV and watches the games and enjoys it."
A community of Newcastle United supporters in Minnesota have rallied around to support John, and now the family is hoping their fundraising appeal will touch the hearts of generous Geordies in Newcastle.
Wife Anne said: "It breaks my heart to see how much he is loved after all these years. It was 1971 when John started to play at Newcastle.
"Before Covid, we used to come over and friends would take us to the game. The fans and dads would come up with their sons and say, 'this is King Tudor!' The fans idolise him still."
She added: "He still has recognition. If he sees a picture of Frank Clark or Malcolm McDonald, he will recognise them. It is still there in his long-term memory. They were great days."
The family estimates the cost of John's annual care will be around $100,000 but his wife Anne is keen to try home care first.
Anne said: "It's very up and down. We have good days, but we just don't know how each day is going to turn out.
"He can't be left alone. Jonathan is the only help I have and he lives an hour away from me.
"His words have been taken from him but he still recognises me and Jonathan and his daughter. His short-term memory is very sparse.
"We need to make a plan as he deserves to have really good care as the dementia progresses.
"It is hard to believe and hard to watch. How can you all at once forget the things that have been with you all your life?
"I need to make a plan as it is taking its toll.
"We want to try home care first or maybe daycare, but, like in England, it is costly and there is a shortage of staff. The nursing homes are frighteningly expensive and we are not wealthy.
"The nursing homes I have looked at are anything from $8,000 to $10,000 a month."
These days, John enjoys watching the show Vera and hearing the North East accents, with his wife Anne believing the Geordie dialect has still stayed with him. The family hopes they will be able to take John over to Newcastle one more time.
"John gave a hell of a lot to football," Anne said.
"He would have played for nothing."
To donate visit: https://gofund.me/e75abdb4
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