An inquest into the death of former Sheffield United footballer Maddy Cusack has heard testimony from her mother, Deborah Cusack, who stated that her daughter would still be alive if the women’s team coach, Jonathan Morgan, had not been employed. Morgan, who joined the club in February 2023, was described in court as Maddy’s “nemesis.”
Deborah Cusack told Chesterfield Coroner’s Court that Morgan made comments about Maddy’s weight and relationship, which she believed were intended to “cut her down to size” and assert control. She stated that there was a “direct line” between Morgan’s employment and her daughter’s death, though she clarified she was not blaming him for Maddy’s actions, but for how he made her feel.
The court heard that Maddy had found her life “unpleasant” while Morgan was her coach at Leicester City, and she was reportedly “so happy to leave” in 2019 to join Sheffield United. However, she was “dismayed” when Morgan joined the Blades in February 2023. Deborah Cusack recounted Maddy feeling that “history was repeating itself” and being devastated by his return.
Morgan, who is representing himself at the inquest, questioned Deborah Cusack. She maintained that Maddy had no prior mental health issues, describing her as a “bright, bubbly confident girl.”
Concerns over comments and contract
The inquest heard that Morgan allegedly called Maddy “bottom heavy” after his arrival, which led her to change her eating habits and increase her exercise, including extra runs after training, in an effort to “get fitter and thinner.” Grace Riglar, Maddy’s girlfriend and a former Sheffield United player, also testified that Maddy’s eating habits changed after Morgan made a comment about her fitness or weight.
Riglar recounted Maddy feeling uncomfortable when Morgan called her a “psycho” from the sideline during a previous match when he was managing at another club. Riglar also stated that Morgan calling her “Mrs Cusack” in front of teammates made Maddy uncomfortable, as she preferred to keep her relationship private. Riglar described Morgan joining Sheffield United as a “big part” of the factors contributing to Maddy’s death.
The court also heard about a meeting Morgan held with players in relationships, where he set rules, including that if he was annoyed with one partner, the other could not hold a grudge. Riglar said Maddy felt this meeting was “uncomfortable.”
Maddy was reportedly “relieved but surprised” to be offered a full-time contract to play for Sheffield United in June 2023. However, the contract process was described as “shambolic” by her mother. Maddy was anxious about splitting her roles between playing and her marketing job, especially as her combined salary was less than before. She also expressed concern that if she stopped playing for Sheffield United, it would “compromise her job” in the marketing department.
Text messages from Maddy to her mother were read in court, including one where she stated, “Had it been any other manager, I wouldn’t feel like this.” When asked if speaking to the club’s chief executive officer, Stephen Bettis, would help, Maddy replied, “They don’t care about women’s football, I will only make it worse.” Deborah Cusack believed Maddy thought the club would support Morgan over her.
Medical records and team environment
The inquest was informed that Maddy’s medical records from her time at Sheffield United had been lost. The club’s doctor, Dr Subhashis Basu, stated that he was slow to report the data loss but did eventually raise it. He explained that his initial view was to contact the medical records company first to try and resolve the issue.
Riglar also testified that Maddy felt it was a “personal attack” when Morgan did not start her in matches, as she was accustomed to being a regular starter. She believed Maddy felt Morgan was playing “mind games” by rotating her in and out of the starting team. Riglar also mentioned that Maddy had become “paranoid” at the start of the new season and felt she had no one to speak to without it getting back to Morgan.
Eoin Doyle, Maddy’s line manager in the marketing department, described Maddy as a “good, trustworthy employee.” He recalled a conversation in August 2023 where Maddy appeared “sunken into herself.” Doyle also mentioned that Morgan had expressed concern about Maddy’s demeanour in the weeks leading up to her death. The inquest continues.
Source: bbc.com
