The number of goals headed by Gordon McQueen when he played for Scotland will be investigated as part of an inquest into his death, a coroner ruled today.
The footballing legend – who died aged 70 in 2023 after being diagnosed with dementia – was capped 30 times for his country and scored five times. One of his most famous goals the towering centre half scored for his country was a thumping header against England at Wembley in 1977.
Northallerton Coroners Court were told on Tuesday that an inquest into his death will hear how many goals he scored for Scotland were headers. Representing the Scottish FA, Craig Murray KC the body would provide a statement including his training schedule and the number of games he played for Scotland.
He said it would also break down: “The number of goals he scored and the number of goals he scored by headers.” The brief hearing was told a date for a full inquest could not yet be set as the his medical records between 1972 and 1995 could not be located.
Daughter Hayley, a prominent Sky Sports journalist and presenter, told the inquest that she, her sister Anna and brother Edward were all registered with a GP in their native Scotland as children. She added: “But all of dad’s medical appointments were made through his football clubs, rather than having a registered GO like we would as normal citizens.
“His medical records at his GP would date back to when we moved to the area in 1994. Prior to that, they would have been dealt with by the clubs, which you would hoped should still be on file.”
Corner Jon Heath said he would need to locate McQueen’s medical records from the 1970s and 80s before he could proceed with an inquest. McQueen – who was born in Kilbirnie in Ayrshire – began his career at St Mirren before moving to Leeds, where he won the English title in 1973-74.
He was suspended for the 1975 European Cup final defeat by Bayern Munich and moved to arch rivals Manchester United in 1978. McQueen went on to make 184 appearances for the Red Devils, winning the FA Cup in 1983.
After retirement, he coached at various clubs including Middlesbrough and finally settled in the village of Hutton Rudby, near Yarm, North Yorks. He was diagnosed with cancer of the larynx in 2011 and suffered a stroke in 2015.
He was diagnosed with vascular dementia in early 2021 and tragically died two years later. His family say he feared heading a ball repeatedly was a factor, which the inquest into his death with investigate. An inquest date is yet to be set.
Don’t miss the latest news from around Scotland and beyond – Sign up to our daily newsletterhere.