The former Scotland, Manchester United and Leeds central defender Gordon McQueen has died at the age of 70 after what his family termed “a very cruel battle against dementia”.
Bryan Robson was one of the first of many to pay tribute. “Gordon was a perfect fit for Manchester United with his flair, courage and big personality,” said the former United and England midfielder who, as Middlesbrough manager, employed McQueen as a coach.
“Most importantly though he was a brilliant person with a huge heart. He lit up any room he walked into and that’s how he should be remembered.”
McQueen was from North Ayrshire and began his playing career in Scotland with St Mirren before coming to prominence in the outstanding Leeds team of the mid-70s.
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He was at the heart of the Leeds side that won the English title in 1973-74 but was suspended for the 1975 European Cup final defeat by Bayern Munich and moved to arch rivals Manchester United in 1978. Flags outside Old Trafford flew at half mast on Thursday.
Blond-haired and 6ft 3in tall, McQueen was an imposing figure who established himself as one of the finest centre-halves of his era. He was capped 30 times by Scotland, missing the 1978 World Cup through injury. Earlier that year he had, memorably, faced down hefty criticism from his former West Yorkshire public by commenting that “99% of players want to play for Manchester United and the rest are liars”.
After winning the FA Cup with Manchester United in 1983, McQueen concluded his playing career in Hong Kong, with Seiko, in 1986.
A brief foray into management at Airdrieonians was followed by coaching roles at St Mirren and Middlesbrough. McQueen and his family liked the Teesside area so much they settled in the North Yorkshire village of Hutton Rudby, near Yarm, where he spent his final years.
After hanging up his coaching tracksuit in 2001 McQueen – who leaves a wife, Yvonne, three children and three grandchildren – entered the broadcasting world, becoming a much-loved pundit at Sky Sports, where his daughter Hayley works as a journalist and presenter.
In 2011 the ill health which would blight his final decade struck when he was diagnosed with cancer of the larynx and found his voice compromised by the treatment.
After a stroke in 2015, McQueen was diagnosed with vascular dementia in early 2021, with his family saying he feared heading a ball repeatedly was a factor. They continue to work with the charity Head for Change and have said that Gordon wanted current footballers to be aware of the link between heading and dementia. In assorted interviews Hayley McQueen has urged the football authorities to ration heading in youth football and senior training.
In a statement the family said: “We hope that, as well as creating many great football memories, he will be remembered for the love, laughter and bravery that characterised his career and his family life.
“Our house was always a buzz of friends, family and football and this constant support sustained him as he fought bravely against the very cruel impact of dementia. While we struggle to comprehend life without him, we celebrate a man who lived life to the full: the ultimate entertainer, the heart and soul of every dressing room, the most fun dad, husband and grandfather we could ever have wished for.”
Lou Macari, who played with McQueen for Scotland and Manchester United, described his friend as the “biggest character in football, large as life, funny, full of desire. This awful illness robbed us of the real Gordon; Yvonne was a real 24/7 warrior for him.”
Scotland fans will never forget McQueen’s most famous international goal, a towering header at Wembley in 1977 which secured a 2-1 victory against England and sparked a euphoric pitch invasion by the Tartan Army.
