The daughter of former Manchester United and Scotland defender Gordon McQueen has revealed her father believed his dementia was linked to heading footballs throughout his professional career.
Inquest Hears of Footballer's Health Decline
TV presenter Hayley McQueen gave evidence at an inquest into her father's death in Northallerton, North Yorkshire, on Tuesday 6 January 2026. She stated that after his diagnosis of vascular dementia in 2021, her father told his family that heading a football for 16 years as a professional "probably hasn't helped" his condition.
Gordon McQueen, who won 30 caps for Scotland and played for Leeds United and Manchester United, died in 2023 at the age of 70. His daughter described a man who was largely injury-free but did suffer concussions during his playing days. In that era, she noted, players "would just head back out and play" after such incidents.
Ms McQueen shared poignant childhood memories of her father returning from training at Manchester United with severe headaches, needing to lie down in a darkened room.
A Life Changed by Dementia
The inquest heard how McQueen's personality began to change after he turned 60. Previously sociable and outgoing, he became withdrawn. He developed significant problems with his balance and swallowing, and repeatedly told his family he did not feel "right in himself", stating: "There's something not right in my head."
He was formally diagnosed with vascular dementia in 2021. This common form of dementia, which affects around 180,000 people in the UK according to the NHS, is caused by reduced blood flow to the brain.
Growing Evidence and Football's Response
McQueen's case adds to the mounting evidence connecting repeated head trauma in football to neurodegenerative disease. Five members of England's 1966 World Cup-winning squad—Sir Bobby Charlton, Jack Charlton, Ray Wilson, Martin Peters, and Nobby Stiles—were diagnosed with dementia, which contributed to their deaths.
In a landmark 2002 case, former England and West Bromwich Albion striker Jeff Astle died at age 59 from a brain condition linked to heading footballs, which a coroner ruled an "industrial injury."
This growing body of evidence has prompted significant changes in the sport's approach, particularly for young players:
- Heading was banned in matches for under-7s to under-9s during the 2024-25 season.
- The ban was expanded to under-10 matches for the current season.
- It is projected to cover under-11 games from the 2026-27 season onwards.
Born in Kilbirnie, Scotland in 1952, McQueen moved to Leeds United from St Mirren in 1972, helping the club win the old First Division title in 1974. He joined Manchester United in 1978, winning the FA Cup in 1983. After retiring, he coached at Middlesbrough for five years until 2001 and later worked as a pundit for Scottish TV and Sky Sports.
The inquest into his death is expected to last for three days.
