Warning on headers as family reveal Mcqueen has dementia
Relatives of the Scottish football legend tell of the dangers of the game after diagnosis, writes Martin Williams
THE family of Scottish football legend Gordon Mcqueen has warned of the health dangers surrounding the game after he was diagnosed with vascular dementia.
Relatives of the 68-year-old former Scotland, Leeds United and
Manchester United defender, who started his career at St Mirren, said they wanted to raise awareness over the long-term effects of heading a football.
They added that Mr Mcqueen, who has 30 caps for Scotland, was keen for other players of today’s generation “to know there may be risks with persistent heading of the ball”.
Mcqueen’s former Leeds team-mate Jack Charlton died with dementia last year and it was confirmed in recent months that Sir Bobby Charlton has been diagnosed with the disease.
The brothers’ 1966 World Cup-winning team-mate Nobby Stiles also died with dementia last year.
A statement released by his wife Yvonne and children Hayley, Anna and Edward reads: “In January, Gordon Mcqueen, our dad, was formally diagnosed with vascular dementia.
“As a family we felt it was important to let people know, particularly if raising awareness can help others in similar situations.
“Whilst as a family we’ve found it hard to come to terms with the changes in dad, he has no regrets about his career and has lived life to the full.
“He had unforgettable experiences in his playing days with Scotland, Manchester United and Leeds United, and also took so much from his coaching and TV work in more recent times.
“Football has allowed him to travel the world and experience things he could only have dreamed of.
“But he wants other footballers of today’s generation to know there may be risks with persistent heading of the ball.
“Dad scored some important goals in his career and memorable headers but used to stay back in training, heading the ball to the goalkeeper for practice over and over.
“He does wonder if this has been a factor in his dementia as his symptoms appeared in his mid-60s.”
“The last year in and out of lockdown has been tough as dad is such a sociable person and thrives off company.”
One of those headers was also the most famous of his five goals at international level for Scotland. It came against the Auld Enemy, England, in
1977 in a famous 2-1 win at Wembley Stadium.
Mcqueen broke into the Scotland side after moving to Leeds United from Scotland in 1972, winning the First Division two years later and playing an important role in their run to the 1975 European Cup Final.
He went on to enjoy a successful time with Manchester United.
A member of the 1978 World Cup squad, he was inducted into the Scottish Football Hall of Fame in 2012. Having managed Airdrie during a coaching career that included time at Middlesbrough, the former centre-back went on to become a popular TV pundit with Sky Sports.
The family added: “Social interaction is key for someone with dementia and he has been deprived of this for so long. He is fully aware of his friends and family still and his memory of all things football is sharp, but his cognitive functions are not the same.
“We don’t want people to be surprised by his condition or continue to ask him for media interviews or autographs which he is not able to do any more.
“Whilst he is looking forward to seeing people again after lockdown and getting the social aspect of life back, we know people will see a big difference in his health so wanted to be transparent.
“We thank everyone in advance for
their understanding and hope sharing this news will help dad to face the future in a positive way.”
The English Football Association is currently supporting two independently led research studies examining former professional players for early signs of neurocognitive degeneration.
Last year, Football Association guidelines stated that children aged 11 and under will no longer be taught to head footballs during training in England, Scotland and Northern Ireland.
It followed Glasgow University research that showed former footballers were three-and-a-half times more likely to die from brain disease.
He wants other footballers of today’s generation to know there may be risks