Steve Thompson

Once England rugby’s most capped hooker, Steve Thompson began playing at the age of 15 at Northampton School for Boys and went on to become one of the leading names in the sport.
He played for Northampton Saints for eight seasons and was selected for the England squad in 2001, scoring his maiden test try against Italy in the 2003 Six Nations. Later that year he was a member of the legendary 2003 Rugby World Cup winning team.
Steve was forced to retire from rugby in December 2011 after suffering a recurrence of serious neck injury that left him needing surgery.
At the age of just 42, Steve revealed that he had been diagnosed with early onset dementia, a potentially caused by injuries sustained during his career.
Steve’s openness about his condition, which he talks about at public appearances and as part of his role as Health Awareness Campaigner with occupational health and wellbeing provider Medigold Health, as well as the publication of his new autobiography – Unforgettable – is something he hopes will inspire others dealing with life challenges.