Football hero Gordon McQueen's brain to be donated to medical science

Scottish football hero Gordon McQueen’s brain to be donated to medical science, his daughter reveals

• Football legend’s brain to be used to research link between sport and dementia

The brain of former Scotland footballer Gordon McQueen has been donated to medical science, his daughter has revealed.

The legendary Leeds and Manchester United defender passed away aged 70 following a battle with dementia.

His death sparked a huge outpouring of support for his devastated family, including from Sir Elton John at a gig in Aberdeen as well as the Tartan Army ahead of Scotland’s clash with Georgia.

Now his daughter Hayley has told how his brain has been given to Dr William Stewart, who is looking into links between heading footballs and dementia.

The family of McQueen, pictured below, have previously told how they believe heading footballs throughout his career led to him developing the condition.

Legendary defender Gordon McQueen’s funeral took place last month after he passed away aged 70

Ms McQueen said: ‘It’s been two weeks since his funeral almost, and I’m finding this the hardest bit almost because like adrenaline was keeping me going up until the funeral and dealing with all the paperwork and stuff which comes with death and helping out with my mum.

‘Dad had a post-mortem so we’ve had to deal with all of that. He was cremated but his brain was donated to medical science so Dr William Stewart is using that as part of his research.

‘I will post a lot more about this in the future but I’m just struggling with dad not being here right now to go into all of that kind of stuff, I’m just not quite ready for it yet.

‘But Dr Stewart is looking into CTE [chronic traumatic encephalopathy] and brain damage and footballers who have headed footballs, which my dad of course did.

‘We believe that is what causes the dementia and dad died at 70 years old. It is really no age at all considering he was a pretty healthy guy.

‘I’m hopeful that in the future I can talk about the findings when we get them.’

McQueen’s funeral took place last month at St Mary’s Cathedral, Middlesbrough.

His family gathered with a host of football greats to say their goodbyes. Mourners included ex-players Gordon Strachan, Joe Jordan, Bryan Robson, Gary Pallister and TV presenter Jeff Stelling.

McQueen was capped 30 times for Scotland and later became a pundit. He was diagnosed with dementia in 2021.

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