Sports presenter Hayley McQueen fears thousands of footballers could soon be diagnosed with dementia
Sports presenter Hayley McQueen fears there could be an 'epidemic' of footballers being diagnosed with dementia as research showing a link to heading the ball grows.
The 45-year-old and her family cared lovingly for her father Gordon as the ex-St Mirren, Manchester United and Leeds defender battled with the condition until his death aged 70 in June 2023.
Afterwards, his brain was donated to a leading neuropathologist who discovered signs of chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) – a brain condition thought to be linked to repeated head injuries and blows to the head.
CTE is known to slowly get worse over time – leading to dementia.
The findings played a part in an ongoing inquest exploring whether McQueen's career may have contributed to his illness.
Just how many footballers may suffer a similar fate is something Ms McQueen feels will soon become all too clear. 'I think we're facing an epidemic,' she said.
'I think in a few years to come, there are going to be not just hundreds, but possibly thousands, of footballers affected.
'And I don't just mean professionals who played at the top of the tree. Right across the football leagues, there will be a lot of footballers suffering with neuro-degenerative disease.'
Asked if other ex-players speak to her about the issue, she said: 'Yes, loads. I know someone who's a very, very high-profile, former Manchester United player who used to get headaches and migraines and has elements of forgetfulness now.
'He's obviously worried. I said, 'Well, why don't you just go and get a test? Why don't you go and get a scan?' But he said 'I don't want to. I don't think I want to know.' I think he is worried and that's awful.'
As well as campaigning for better education about the risks associated with heading the ball, Ms McQueen works to highlight the organisations that helped her father before his death.
Noticing that she had accrued a large collection of dresses and evening wear from the many events that she attends, she decided to put them to good use.
She has set up an account on second-hand clothes site Vinted with proceeds from the sale of her designer togs going to charities including the Alzheimer's Society and Herriot Hospice Homecare. The latter was heavily involved in the care of her late father.
Usually TV star Ms McQueen rents the clothes she wears on air or to events, as she believes this is an eco-friendlier approach. However, as her Vinted sale shows, she has a healthy collection of stunning clothes to offer up.
Discussing the sale, she said: 'It's nice to be able to do it, and being a bit more sustainable as well about clothing and other people being able to wear things.
'I actually hire a lot of stuff for events online. There's some really great sites where you can hire clothes and be a bit sustainable. But there have been other times when I've needed to buy stuff.
'I just thought rather than them sit in my wardrobe and the money going to waste, I can do something good with this.
'You see these awful documentaries on fast fashion. It does make you think bit more carefully about what you're doing with things that you bought.'
Among the frocks being sold is a floral sequins evening dress, made by designer and online fashion retailer Club L London. The outfit, which Ms McQueen wore to the Women's Football Awards last month, is available for £200.
One of the most expensive garments she is passing on is a 'mint condition' Vintage Versace velvet blue mini dress, which she has listed for £280.
Ms McQueen said a similar haul last year netted £2,000 for charity and she has already raised around £800 from the current sale.
The Sky Sports presenter has said her family do not plan to take legal action against football authorities if a link between her father's illness and the sport is determined.
However, she said they hope to raise awareness of the health risks associated with heading the ball.
'If they think it was from heading, that is information that is really powerful to make the authorities start to pay attention to the fact you can get brain damage from a football,' she said.
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