Former Scotland international Gordon McQueen, a central defender who starred for Leeds United and Manchester United and earned 30 Scotland caps, died in June 2023 at age 70.

In an inquest, McQueen’s daughter Hayley McQueen said he told family that heading footballs probably hasn’t helped his dementia.

Post-mortem results showed mixed vascular dementia and chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), with pneumonia in the right lung; Prof. Willie Stewart linked CTE to long careers in contact sports and suggested a possible causal link between repetitive head impacts and neurodegenerative disease.

McQueen was diagnosed with vascular dementia in 2021 and began displaying personality changes after his 60th birthday, including withdrawal and balance problems.

McQueen had head impacts during his career, including concussions, and sometimes played with headaches while heading the ball back into play.

After retiring, McQueen had a varied career including a brief spell as Airdrie manager, coaching at St Mirren and Middlesbrough, and later work as a pundit for Scottish TV and Sky Sports.

Career highlights include Leeds United’s 1973-74 league title and the 1975 European Cup final, followed by joining Manchester United in 1978 and winning the FA Cup in 1983.

McQueen played nearly 350 professional games for St Mirren, Leeds United and Manchester United between 1970 and 1985 and later coached at several clubs.

Teammate testimony noted McQueen’s long-term health decline and withdrawal, with few serious head injuries reported despite a history of concussions.

The inquest was ongoing with several days planned and underscored the ongoing debate about long-term brain health risks in professional football.

Coroner Jon Heath adjourned proceedings for legal submissions and planned to deliver conclusions on January 26, with statements from former teammates and Scottish FA Chief Executive Ian Maxwell highlighting McQueen’s dedication and heading as a notable career element.

The brain donation to Professor Stewart is part of ongoing football and rugby brain injury research, with the inquest adjourned for submissions and conclusions due January 26.