Hayley McQueen’s Heartfelt Testimony Links Football Heading to Father Gordon’s Dementia at Inquest

In a deeply moving and revealing inquest in Northallerton, North Yorkshire, TV presenter Hayley McQueen testified in January 2026 about her late father, Scottish football icon Gordon McQueen, and his struggle with dementia. Her testimony cast a poignant light on the suspected link between repeated ball heading and neurodegenerative disease, a connection her father himself acknowledged. Gordon McQueen, a formidable defender for Scotland, Manchester United, and Leeds United, passed away in June 2023 at the age of 70, leaving behind a legacy not only of sporting excellence but also a critical question about player welfare.

Hayley McQueen recounted how her father, after developing dementia, would tell his family, “heading a football for all those years probably hasn’t helped.” This stark admission from a man who embodied aerial dominance on the pitch provided a human anchor to the scientific and legal proceedings. Gordon McQueen’s illustrious 16-year career, spanning 30 caps for Scotland and significant success with both Leeds United and Manchester United, saw him frequently use his head to score goals and defend his territory. His daughter’s account at the inquest, led by barrister Michael Rawlinson KC, brought to the forefront the private suffering behind a public career.

The Unfolding Shadow: Gordon McQueen’s Battle with Dementia

Hayley McQueen vividly described the insidious onset of her father’s condition. While Gordon McQueen had been remarkably healthy and active throughout his playing days and into retirement, the family began noticing subtle yet concerning changes in his personality after his 60th birthday. A man once known for his sociable and outgoing nature, a regular on the “after-dinner circuit,” became increasingly withdrawn. “There’s something not right in my head,” he confided in his family, articulating the internal struggle he faced as his cognitive abilities began to wane.

The symptoms progressed, manifesting in various ways that profoundly impacted his daily life. Hayley recalled how, even from a young age, her father would sometimes come home from Manchester United training sessions with headaches, retreating to a darkened room. In later years, these issues escalated. He developed problems with balance, leading to stumbles and falls. Swallowing became difficult, a condition later identified as dysphagia. He lost the ability to perform routine tasks like making a cup of tea or writing. He would get confused about dates and times, often unsure of the year or day.

Yet, amidst this decline, a remarkable detail emerged: Gordon McQueen never lost his memory for people or the intricate details of his football career. He could recall scorelines, line-ups, and specific moments from matches played decades ago. This selective memory, a cruel irony for a man whose past triumphs were so vividly preserved while his present self was fading, underscored the particular nature of his illness. Diagnosed with vascular dementia in 2021, the family’s journey through his condition was also shaped by conversations with Dawn Astle, daughter of former England striker Jeff Astle, who died from CTE.

The Medical Verdict: CTE and Vascular Dementia

A crucial aspect of the inquest revolved around the post-mortem findings. After Gordon McQueen’s death, his brain was generously donated to Professor Willie Stewart, a consultant neuropathologist at the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital, Glasgow. Professor Stewart, renowned for his extensive research into brain injuries in athletes, found compelling evidence of Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE) alongside vascular dementia. CTE, a progressive degenerative disease, is strongly associated with repeated head impacts, a hallmark of professional football, particularly for players like McQueen known for their aerial prowess.

Professor Stewart clarified that there was no evidence of Alzheimer’s or Parkinson’s disease. While pneumonia was cited as the direct cause of death, both vascular dementia and CTE were confirmed as significant contributing factors. When questioned by Mr. Rawlinson, Professor Stewart affirmed that CTE “more than minimally, negligibly or trivially” contributed to McQueen’s death, and crucially, that “heading the ball” contributed to the CTE. He emphasized that the only available evidence pointed to McQueen’s “high exposure” to heading a football throughout his career.

The professor presented findings from his and other studies, which collectively demonstrate a “clear and strong association” between repeated head injuries over many years and neurodegenerative changes. He acknowledged that the cellular-level understanding of this phenomenon is still evolving, but the epidemiological links are undeniable. This expert testimony provided a scientific framework for the personal accounts, validating the family’s suspicions and Gordon’s own self-assessment.

Echoes from the Pitch: Teammates Corroborate Heading Culture

Further bolstering the inquest’s understanding of Gordon McQueen’s playing environment were statements read from his former colleagues. Football legends like Joe Jordan, Lou Macari, Bryan Robson, Eddie Gray, and Gary Bailey all provided accounts that painted a consistent picture of daily training sessions at Leeds United and Manchester United. These sessions, they confirmed, routinely involved repeated heading of long balls.

The testimonials highlighted McQueen’s exceptional commitment to training. He was described as “totally committed,” often staying later for extra practice on his heading. Gary Bailey, a former teammate, stated that McQueen “probably headed the ball more than anybody else.” Bryan Robson added that while McQueen might head the ball 10 to 15 times in a match, this was “far exceeded in training,” where he was “always at the forefront of heading sessions.” Ian Maxwell, CEO of the Scottish FA, noted that four of McQueen’s five international goals were scored with his head, underscoring his aerial reputation. These accounts, reported by *Yahoo News* and *BBC Sport*, firmly established the context of intense head exposure that Professor Stewart’s findings correlated with CTE.

The inquest, which was adjourned for legal submissions and is expected to conclude with Coroner Jon Heath delivering his findings on January 26, 2026, represents a significant moment in the ongoing discourse about football’s impact on long-term brain health. Hayley McQueen’s courageous testimony and the expert medical evidence underscore the urgent need for continued research, preventative measures, and support for former players and their families navigating these devastating conditions.

The tragic case of Gordon McQueen, brought to light by his daughter Hayley’s powerful testimony and corroborated by scientific evidence, is not merely a personal tragedy but a stark reflection of a systemic issue within professional football. It serves as a resounding call to action, demanding that governing bodies and clubs prioritize player safety with the same fervor they pursue victory. The link between repeated head impacts and neurodegenerative diseases like CTE is no longer a fringe theory; it is a demonstrable reality that requires fundamental shifts in training methodologies, game rules, and post-career support, ensuring that future generations of footballers do not pay such a devastating price for their passion.