Obituary: Gordon McQueen (1952-2023)

It was impossible to miss Gordon, either on a football field or in a dressing room. A giant of a man with a shock of vigorous blond hair, the Scottish international centre-half stood out in the heat of the action like a blazing beacon on a dark night.

 

When he was at his best and free of injury he oozed command and charisma at the heart of the Manchester United rearguard, while, as an inspirational morale-booster, he brought wicked humour and an unquenchable bonhomie, which endeared him to team-mates like few others.

 

McQueen, who became Britain’s most expensive footballer when he joined the Reds from Leeds for £495,000 in February 1978, was that entertaining rarity: a swashbuckling defensive stopper who relished kicking up his heels on high-velocity attacking runs.

The adventurous Scot was pacy for a fellow of 6ft 4ins, more than capable with the ball at his feet, and he could count on cover from team-mates familiar with his somewhat eccentric habit, particularly his vigilant and imperturbable central partner and compatriot Martin Buchan.

For the most part, however, McQueen was a majestic backline bulwark, dominant in the air, adept at timing his tackles, capable of a constructive pass and utterly fearless.

 

Having commenced his professional career in his homeland with St Mirren after a brief spell as a labourer in a steelworks, the Ayrshire-born colossus was recruited by Leeds United as a vastly promising 22-year-old in 1972.

He stepped up rapidly up as successor to the veteran Jack Charlton and by 1974 he was a Scotland international with a First Division championship medal in his trophy cabinet.

When he followed his close chum Joe Jordan to Old Trafford there was dismay and outrage at Elland Road, where he had been lionised by the fans despite manager Don Revie periodically tearing his hair out over his bold young defender’s tendency to roam.

 

Gordon settled rapidly in Dave Sexton’s United team, enjoying the society of an extensive Scottish enclave which included Lou Macari, Arthur Albiston and Stewart Houston as well as Jordan and Buchan. McQueen supplemented his backline duties with seven goals in his first full season, one of which sparked a spirited but all-too-fleeting late revival in the 1979 FA Cup final, which was lost agonisingly to Arsenal.

 

Arguably he peaked in the following campaign, when he contributed nine strikes as United finished as runners-up to Liverpool in the title race.

Alas, fitness problems resurfaced and, with younger men like Kevin Moran, Paul McGrath and Graeme Hogg offering alternatives to manager Ron Atkinson, Gordon’s 1985 request to leave, despite having a year left on his contract, was granted.

 

When he departed that summer to join Seiko in Hong Kong he could look back on 229 United appearances, 26 goals and a lasting place in Old Trafford folklore.

Internationally, too, he had made his mark, tallying 30 caps – it would have been far more but for injuries – with the unforgettable highlight of scoring in a 2-1 victory over England at Wembley in 1977.

 

Later, Gordon managed Airdrieonians, then coached for St Mirren and Middlesbrough, but his love for the Reds remained intact – and the feeling was entirely mutual.

 

He will be deeply missed. Rest in peace, Gogo.