Explainers

GORDON MCQUEEN passed away in June 2023 at the age of 70, leaving behind his wife and children.The Manchester United and Leeds United star, born in Scotland, shared his life with wife Yvonne before he passed away following a battle with dementia.
Yvonne McQueen pictured with her late husband Gordon McQueen and their childrenCredit: Instagram
Who is Gordon McQueen’s wife Yvonne?
Football legend Gordon McQueen was married to wife Yvonne, who supported him through his vascular dementia, for most of his life but she largely stays out of the spotlight.
Since Gordon’s time coaching Middlesborough, the couple had lived in the village of Hutton Rudby, North Yorkshire.
Following news of Gordon’s death, his family did speak to out to release a public statement.
The statement read: “We hope that as-well as creating many great football memories he’ll be remembered most for his character. Our house was always full of friends, family and football, just as it was in his last few months as he fought so bravely in what became a very cruel battle against dementia.
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“The disease may have taken him too soon, but he definitely lived life to the full, the ultimate entertainer, the absolute heart and soul of every occasion, the most fun dad anyone could wish for.”
The family also expressed a “huge thanks” to the “wonderful staff” at Herriot Hospice Homecare for their care, as well as the “utterly incredible” Marie Curie team who had supported Gordon, Yvonne and their children.
When did Gordon and Yvonne McQueen get married?
The exact date of Gordon and Yvonne’s wedding is not known but the couple welcomed their first daughter, Hayley, in 1979.
Did Gordon and Yvonne McQueen have any children?
Gordon and Yvonne had a son, Eddie, and two daughters, Hayley and Anna, together.
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They also shared three grandchildren; Rudi, Etta and Ayla.
One of their daughters, Hayley, is a presenter on Sky Sports.
Following her dad’s death, Hayley released an emotional statement where she revealed that McQueen had been bedridden for the months leading up to his passing.
She also said her father had received visits from former team-mates, who he still recognised despite his condition.
Posting on Instagram, Hayley said: “Beyond heartbroken to announce we have lost our wonderful dad, I thought when the day came I’d be prepared and feel a sense of relief that he is no longer trying to battle this awful disease but I just feel numb.
“I’m hoping we can now remember him for the man he was and not the man he became this last few years. We thought we were losing him when home palliative care came to look after him back in December, we were distraught but being the big strong man that he is, battled on for many months.
“Whilst it’s been unimaginably sad and at times unbearable for my mum who has cared for him at home we’ve had precious time with him whilst this cruel disease and all that comes with it completely took over, he certainly put up a fight. One comfort was he knew all his friends and family right till the end but to watch someone slowly die I wouldn’t wish on anyone.
“I now want to remember my Dad for the man he was, the ultimate entertainer, the life and soul of every occasion, the greatest storyteller who certainly lived life to the full, he made sure everything was one big adventure and full of so much fun for me Anna and Eddie.
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“His career gave me one too and I will be forever grateful for him passing on so much of who is and what he loved. Life really won’t be the same without him but he is now at peace.
She also thanked Sky Sports, saying they had been “incredible throughout” the sad time. More

FOOTBALLING legend Gordon McQueen has tragically passed away on Thursday, 15 June.The Scottish icon died at the age of 70, unfortunately leaving behind his wife, son and two daughters.
Gordon McQueen was a footballing legendCredit: Alamy
And SunSport will be taking a look into his life.
Who was football legend Gordon McQueen?
Born June 26, 1952, Gordon McQueen was raised in Kilbirnie, Scotland.
McQueen was a goalkeeper as a schoolboy but went on to switch to centre-back.
The footballing icon was signed by St Mirren at the age of 18 before Leeds offered them £30,000 in 1972 to secure his services.
And McQueen went on to win the League Championship with Leeds a year later – having an instrumental role in that winning side.
However, in 1978, Gordon made the shocking switch to Manchester United where he would win the FA Cup with the Red Devils 1983 after beating Brighton.
But his proudest came at the end of the 1973 season when McQueen was called up to the Scotland squad.
He gained 30 caps for the Scots, scoring five goals in that time.
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What did Gordon McQueen do after retiring?
Gordon McQueen made the transition from player to coach and his first objective was to manage his old club St Mirren.
However, McQueen opted to join former team-mate Bryan Robson who was appointed the manager of Middlesborough.
The footballing icon held this position for five years before making the jump to first-team coach.
But McQueen only spent two years in charge before leaving Teeside in June 2001.
And he then went on to join Sky Sports as a pundit. More