Gordon McQueen death: Inquest found headed footballs ‘likely’ contributed to death

Repeatedly heading the ball “most likely” contributed to the brain disease that was a factor in the death of former Scottish and Manchester United footballer Gordon McQueen, an inquest has found.

McQueen, who was diagnosed with vascular dementia, died in 2023 at the age of 70.

The inquest into his death, held in Northallerton, North Yorkshire, concluded with a narrative verdict on Monday, with Chief Coroner John Heath telling the court: “I found that Mr McQueen had suffered repeated impacts to the head during his career.

“I am satisfied that on the basis of probabilities that repeated heading balls contributed to his developing chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE).

“The combination of CTE and vascular dementia resulted in pneumonia. I find the cause of death to be pneumonia, vascular dementia and CTE.

“Repeated head blows, resulting from heading the ball while playing soccer, may have contributed to the development of CTE.”

McQueen played 30 matches for Scotland and participated in nearly 350 matches for St Mirren, Leeds and United as a central defender between 1970 and 1985, before coaching Airdrie and coaching St Mirren and Middlesbrough.