John Benjamin Toshack's difficult present: the Welshman who defined an era at 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 tall man who arrived from the British Isles one day to forever change the history of Real Sociedad, is fighting his toughest match. Not one played on the pitch, but against dementia. A terrible illness that pays no heed to legends or trophies, and has now become his quietest opponent.

You hear the name Toshack and your mind goes straight to the goals, that long stride, those 1980s when the txuri-urdin side were touching the heavens. 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 moment, his son Cameron Toshack continues the legacy in the dugout. Cameron, who came through the ranks at Swansea, has been carving his own path, understanding the game with the same clear vision his father had in the box. It's curious how much a surname can weigh, but in this case, the son has carried that weight with the elegance of someone who learned from the best.

And if we're talking about the next generation, we need to focus on Mat Toshack. The grandson, a striker like his grandfather, has been steadily climbing the ranks in English and Australian football. For those of us who follow the youth set-ups, watching Mat is like hearing an echo of the past. He has that build, that eye for goal that made John Benjamin a legend. It's not easy carrying a surname with so much history, but the lad is proving that the footballing genes in this family are a serious business.

Of course, we can't forget the other Toshack who made his mark in a different era, albeit in another sport and another hemisphere. I'm talking about Ernie Toshack, the fearsome left-arm bowler for Australian cricket. He was another 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 own field, to be protagonists. Even in music, because it doesn't stop at sport. Does anyone remember Toshack Highway? That musical project that took indie essence into more psychedelic territory. Yes, creativity runs in this clan's blood too.

A legacy that transcends the scoreline

But let's get back to John Benjamin. For those of us who lived through Spanish football in the 80s and 90s, Toshack isn't just a name. He's the architect of something epic. That Welshman who arrived as a player and stayed as a legend. As a manager, his influence is on two of the most ambitious projects in our league: the record-breaking Real Sociedad and that Real Madrid side always striving for excellence. His style, direct and no-nonsense, was a reflection of his character. And now, seeing him in this fight against dementia, it hurts as if he were one of our own.

Because Spanish football owes him a great deal. He was one of those managers who arrived, broke the mould and showed us that football could be understood from a different perspective. His influence goes beyond the titles. It's in the way he handled the dressing room, the courage to put faith in young players, the way he stood up to the big clubs without any inferiority complex.

• Player: Left his mark at Liverpool and, above all, at Real Sociedad, where he became an absolute icon.
• Manager: Led Real Sociedad during their golden era, winning two consecutive league titles, and had 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 of his health condition have begun to emerge 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 demonstrated 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 always will be.