McQueen family's plea for protection to all footballers

More support needed against head traumas

- EDEL KENEALY

Football legend Gordon McQueen enjoyed a great career in the game which included a spell at St Mirren

Football must do more to protect players, the family of former St Mirren manager Gordon McQueen have said.

His daughters - television presenter Hayley McQueen and her sister Anna Forbes - spoke out after an inquest into McQueen's death found heading the ball was “likely” to have contributed to a brain injury which was a factor in his death.

McQueen, who was capped for Scotland 30 times, played for the Buddies between 1970 and 1972, while also having played for both Manchester United and Leeds United during a 16-year career.

He passed away in June 2023, aged 70, having been diagnosed with vascular dementia in 2021.

An inquest into his death held in Northallerton, North Yorkshire, concluded on Monday when senior coroner John Heath said his footballing career likely caused permanent changes to his brain.