I hope his death can help others

Joe Jordan pays tribute to his fantastic, funny & loyal best pal who lost battle against dementia

- VIVIENNE AITKEN

SCOTLAND legend Joe Jordan yesterday paid tribute to his "best pal" Gordon McQueen, who lost his fight against dementia.

And through his grief, Jordan demanded the fight goes on to help other less well-known footballers hit by "this terrible disease".

He recalled how the pair met as teenagers when they joined Leeds United more than 50 years ago.

He said: "We were team-mates for about 10 or 11 years and lived in digs together.

"I was his best man and he was mine. We went on family holidays together and remained friends when our playing careers were over.

"He was a fantastic guy, a funny man with a great sense of humour and very loyal.

"But the illness he had was terrible. His dementia was a real test on everybody - his wife Yvonne and his family had a very rough time.

"But it is not just the McQueen family who have suffered like this.

There are a lot of other players who have Alzheimer's and dementia, and it is tough for them.

"Gordon was a very famous football player and his death will raise awareness - I hope it does.

"There are others like him, not so well known, whose families are enduring the same sort of life trying to cope with someone living with this disease.

"People have got to look at it and see what can be done to help those families."

Jordan said McQueen was a true Scotsman: who loved to play for his country and scored some memorable goals".