The hard road ahead for Toshack: the Welshman who left his mark on Real Sociedad and Real Madrid fights his toughest personal battle against dementia

The news has spread like wildfire through football circles. John Benjamin Toshack, that towering figure who arrived from the British Isles to change the history of Real Sociedad forever, is fighting his toughest match. Not the kind played on the pitch, but against dementia. A cruel illness that doesn't care about legends or titles, and has now become his most silent opponent.

You hear the name Toshack and your mind goes straight to the goals, that long stride, those 80s years when the white and blue team was flying high. But if there's one thing that defines this family, it's that football runs through their veins. It's not just John Benjamin; it's a whole dynasty. While the patriarch faces this difficult time, his son Cameron Toshack carries on the legacy from the sidelines. Cameron, who came up through Swansea's ranks, has been forging his own path, understanding the game with the same clear vision his father had in the box. It's interesting how much weight a surname can carry, but in this case, the son has handled it with the grace of someone who learned from the best.

And when it comes to the next generation, we have to focus on Mat Toshack. The grandson, a striker like his grandfather, has been making his way up through English and Australian football. For those of us who follow the youth ranks, watching Mat is like hearing an echo from the past. He has that build, that instinct for goal that made John Benjamin a legend. It's not easy carrying a surname with so much history, but the young bloke is showing that the football gene in this family is the real deal.

Of course, we can't forget the other Toshack who made his mark, even if it was in a different sport and on the other side of the world. I'm talking about Ernie Toshack, the fearsome left-arm paceman for Australian cricket. Now he was a Toshack you don't forget. But if there's one thing that unites all the Toshacks, aside from the name, it's that ability to stand out in their field, to be the main act. Even in music, because it doesn't stop with sport. Anyone remember Toshack Highway? That music project that took indie vibes into more psychedelic territory. Yeah, creativity is in this clan's blood too.

A legacy that goes beyond the scoreboard

But let's get back to John Benjamin. For those of us who lived through Spanish football in the 80s and 90s, Toshack is more than just a name. He's the architect of the epic. The Welshman who arrived as a player and stayed on as a legend. As a coach, his fingerprints are on two of the most ambitious projects in our league: the record-breaking Real Sociedad and that Real Madrid side always chasing excellence. His style, direct and no-nonsense, was a reflection of his character. And now, seeing him in this battle against dementia, it hits us hard, as if he were one of our own.

Because Spanish football owes him a lot. He was one of those coaches who came in, broke the mould, and showed us that the game could be understood from a different perspective. His influence goes beyond trophies. It's in the way he managed the dressing room, the bravery to back young players, that way of standing up to the big clubs without an inferiority complex.

• Player: Left his mark at Liverpool and, above all, at Real Sociedad, where he became an absolute idol.
• Coach: Managed Real Sociedad during their golden era, winning two consecutive league titles, with spells at Real Madrid and Deportivo, among others.
• Family legacy: His son Cameron and grandson Mat keep the family name alive on the football pitch.

In recent days, as details about his health have started to come out in football circles, many of us have been left with a lump in our throats. But it's also a time to remember. To appreciate what he did, what he represents. In Zubieta, in Anoeta, in every corner of San Sebastián, his name is still spoken with respect. And now, more than ever, it's time to send him strength. Because if John Benjamin Toshack showed us anything from the dugout, it's that he never gives up. And this battle, tough as it is, will be no exception.

From here, a huge hug to the whole family. Because the Toshacks are part of our history, and they always will be.