June 15, (THEWILL) – Former Manchester United and Leeds defender, Gordon McQueen, has sadly passed away at the age of 70 after a battle with dementia, as confirmed by his family.
McQueen, a distinguished player, who won English titles and the FA Cup, was diagnosed with vascular dementia in 2021. In April, his daughter, Hayley, a Sky Sports presenter, disclosed in an interview that her father’s condition was attributed to the frequent heading of footballs during his illustrious career.
A statement released on behalf of the McQueen family expressed profound sadness at the loss of their cherished husband, father, and grandfather. “We hope that as well as creating many great football memories for club and his country, he will be remembered for the love, laughter and bravery that characterised his career and his family life – not least during his recent battles with ill health,” it stated.
Gordon McQueen’s passing adds to the list of high-profile former footballers, who have succumbed to dementia, including Jack Charlton and Nobby Stiles, who were part of England’s World Cup-winning team. Manchester United, the club where McQueen made a significant impact, issued a statement conveying their heartbreak and extending their love and condolences to his family during this deeply sorrowful time.
McQueen began his professional career with Leeds United, helping them secure the English top-flight title in 1974 and playing a crucial role in their journey to the 1975 European Cup final. He later moved to Manchester United in 1978, where he played a part in their FA Cup triumph against Brighton in 1983 before departing for Chinese club Seiko two years later. McQueen represented Scotland on 30 occasions between 1974 and 1981.
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
