“He simply would not actually know what 12 months it was or what day it was,” Hayley stated.

“He was very lively and making an attempt to do crosswords and watch soccer. He misplaced the flexibility to write down.

“He could not make a cup of tea. He acquired confused about what went the place. He saved saying, ‘there’s one thing not proper in my head’.”

“He used to get confused about issues. By no means individuals – he had an unimaginable reminiscence for the previous.

“It was extra the withdrawn nature of my dad. He could be the centre of consideration, however (with dementia) he must be requested a query to talk.”

Requested by Michael Rawlinson KC, representing the McQueen household, how her father scored his objectives, Hayley stated: “Primarily together with his head, from a set-piece.”

Professor Willie Stewart, a advisor at Queen Elizabeth College Hospital in Glasgow who examined McQueen’s mind after his demise, described how a membrane within the mind appeared torn and that persistent traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) was current in numerous locations.

“Gordon technically fell into the decrease stage of the illness, though on the brink of the upper stage,” he stated.

Prof Stewart stated signs of CTE have been cognitive decline and neuro-behaviour change, and that they “cannot be defined by one other situation – it have to be progressive”.

He stated signs have been “typical in people who’ve lengthy careers – skilled footballers and rugby gamers”.

Requested if there was a causal hyperlink between CTE and repetitive head harm, he stated: “The reply to that’s sure.”

Senior coroner John Heath stated the autopsy discovered pneumonia in McQueen’s proper lung, blended vascular dementia and CTE.

Prof Stewart, who carried out a 2021 research on whether or not sure positions on the pitch have been extra related to neurodegenerative illness than others, stated: “The gamers, the goalkeepers who do not head the ball had a threat equal to common inhabitants, whereas in outfield positions, significantly defenders, the danger was larger.”

The inquest continues.