Former Man United, Leeds and Scotland footballer Gordon McQueen dies aged 70
Former Manchester United and Scotland footballer has died aged 70 after battling dementia.
McQueen – who made 184 appearances for the Red Devils and won the FA Cup in 1983 – was diagnosed with vascular dementia in 2021. His family regularly documented his struggle to raise awareness of the disease.
His daughter Hayley – the Sky Sports presenter who regularly speaks out about his ordeal and told Mail Sport exclusively about the family’s struggles in March – posted a tribute to her father on social media announcing his tragic passing.
She said she felt “numb” after his loss and described the harrowing months of watching him decline – but vowed to remember him for the man he was.
“Beyond heartbroken to announce that we have lost our wonderful dad,” she said on Instagram alongside a family photo.
Former Manchester United and Scotland footballer Gordon McQueen has died aged 70 after a battle with dementia
Daughter Hayley McQueen – the Sky Sports presenter who has regularly spoken out about the family’s ordeal – said she feels ‘numb’ after his loss
She posted a family photo of Gordon with his children saying they would ‘remember him as the man he was and not the man he has become over the years’
“I thought when the day came I would be prepared and feel a sense of relief that he is no longer trying to fight this horrible disease, but I just feel numb.
“I hope we can now remember him as the man he was and not the man he has become over the years. We thought we were losing him when home palliative care came to take care of him in December, we were distraught but being the great strong man that he is, we battled for many months.
“While it has been unimaginably sad and at times unbearable for my mother caring for him at home, we have had precious time with him as this cruel disease and everything that comes with it completely took over, he has definitely been fighting.
“One consolation was that he knew all his friends and family to the end, but to see someone die slowly, I wouldn’t wish it on anyone.
‘He made sure everything was one big adventure and full of fun for me Anna & Eddie. His career gave me one too and I will be forever grateful to him for passing on so much of who he is and what he loved. Life really won’t be the same without him, but he is at peace now.
“A big thank you to my sky sports employers who have been incredible throughout it all and for all the time off and support they have given me over the past year. #RIPDad
McQueen’s family is devastated after watching him decline over the past few years
McQueen (top centre) was part of Manchester United’s 1983 FA Cup winner
In a full statement from the McQueen family, they said they hailed Gordon as “the ultimate entertainer” who was “the heart and soul of the locker room” and showed courage to the end.
“It is with the heaviest of hearts that we announce the passing of our beloved husband, father and grandfather,” the statement read.
“We hope that he will not only create many great football memories for the club and his country, but will also be remembered for the love, laughter and courage that characterized his career and family life – not least during his recent struggles.” with poor health.
“Our home has always been a constant buzz of friends, family and football and this constant support sustained him as he bravely battled the brutal effects of dementia.
“The disease may have taken him too soon and as we struggle to understand life without him, we celebrate a man who lived life to the fullest: the ultimate entertainer, the life and soul of every occasion, the heart and the soul of every dressing room, the nicest father, husband and dad we could have ever wished for.
He made 184 appearances for United during a successful spell at center back at Old Trafford
“The family would like to say a huge thank you to the wonderful staff at Herriot Hospice Homecare for their excellent care; the utterly incredible Marie Curie team that was there to the end; and Head for Change for emotional support and respite care.
Finally, to our wonderful friends and family, who are a constant source of support, we send our deepest love and gratitude.
“You will always remain in our hearts. Yvonne, Hayley, Anna, Eddie, Rudi, Etta and Ayla.”
Leeds were the first of its former clubs to pay tribute, with the club saying they were ‘saddened’ to learn of his passing.
Leeds United are saddened by the death of former defender Gordon McQueen at the age of 70 after a battle with dementia.
“The thoughts of everyone at Leeds United at this time are with Gordon’s wife Yvonne, daughters Hayley and Anna, son Eddie and grandchildren Rudi, Etta and Ayla, along with his friends.”
Manchester United also offered their condolences, saying the club was ‘heartbroken’.
“Everyone at Manchester United is heartbroken at the loss of our beloved former defender, Gordon McQueen.
“Our love and condolences are with his family at this terribly sad time.”
McQueen will be mostly remembered for his time at Old Trafford, where he also won the Community Shield.
He began his career with St Mirren in 1970 and made 57 appearances for the Saints in his native Scotland before joining Leeds United in 1972.
McQueen would go on to make 140 appearances for the Whites and was part of their famous winning team in the 1973/74 First Division.
In 1985 he signed for the Chinese Seiko, where he played for a year before hanging up his boots
For Scotland, he was capped 30 times, scoring five goals. He was selected for the 1978 World Cup in Argentina, but was in pain as an injury prevented him from playing.
McQueen briefly ventured into coaching – managing Scottish side Airdrie in 1987 before rejoining his old side St Mirren as coach – and later joined the set-up at Middlesbrough under Bryan Robson. He also worked as a pundit for Sky Sports.
His family called him “the ultimate entertainer” and “the heart and soul of the locker room”
Concerns about his health arose in 2011 when he was diagnosed with larynx cancer. Ten years later, his family confirmed that he had dementia.
“As a family, we thought it was important to let people know, especially if raising awareness can help others in similar situations,” they said at the time.
“While as a family we found it difficult to accept the changes in Dad, he has no regrets about his career and has lived life to the fullest.
“Football has enabled him to travel the world and experience things he could only dream of.
“But he wants other footballers of the current generation to know that there can be risks with continued heading. He does wonder if this may have been a factor in his dementia, as his symptoms did not appear until his mid-sixties.”
The McQueens have wondered why Gordon didn’t get more support from the PFA after his tragic diagnosis
McQueen’s death from dementia follows other high-profile former footballers who have also passed away after being diagnosed with the disease, including Jack Charlton and Nobby Stiles. Sir Bobby Charlton has also been diagnosed.
In her interview with Mail Sport, Hayley McQueen called on the PFA to do more for footballers who are diagnosed with illnesses such as dementia.
“We’re not just asking the PFA to give us money,” Hayley said. “But it would be nice to think that they could provide a week or two of respite every six weeks so that Mom doesn’t have that financial burden and can get some relief.” Why should it be all ours when dad has a union that is supposed to take care of him and others?
‘My sister has been in contact with someone we don’t name at the PFA. She got an email back saying head can’t be proven to have caused this until you have a post mortem. It also said that we should be mindful of Dad’s “lifestyle choices.” At that point we cut off contact. We saw them in a different light.’