1966 England World Cup winner Nobby Stiles died ‘with traumatic brain injury’ | UK | News
England World Cup champion Nobby Stiles died from a traumatic brain injury, the court heard, with the coroner ruling an inquest into his death should be held. Stiles, 78, a former Manchester United football player and 1966 World Cup champion, died due to chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), which is associated with head injuries.
Greater Manchester South district coroner Chris Morris told Stockport Coroner’s Court that a brain specialist was examining samples and medical records. Due to the injury, the court heard a full investigation would need to be held. Born in Manchester in 1942, Norbert “Nobby” Stiles was a formidable defensive midfielder, earning 28 caps for England and nearly 400 appearances for Man Utd.
He died in October 2020 after a long illness. His family have since campaigned for football authorities to do more to help former players deal with injuries they claim occurred during their playing days.
Mr Morris told the court Stiles’ death was not reported to the coroner for an inquest “for reasons that are not entirely clear to me”, and that the inquest only began following information provided by the former footballer’s family.
Forensic science examines Stiles’ brain from neuropathologist Dr. He said it was reviewed by Daniel du Plessis.
Following review and examination of Stiles’ medical records, Dr Du Plessis expressed the opinion that Stiles’ cause of death was Alzheimer’s disease.
But he also said that high-stage chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), as well as what was described as “stage three limbic-dominant age-related TDP-43” and small-vessel cerebrovascular disease, also contributed to his death.
Mr Morris said: “On the basis of the cause of death, I am satisfied that an inquest should be held into the distressing death of Mr Stiles, particularly as the cause of death involved a traumatic injury.”
The coroner said a full inquest hearing will be held at the same court next week on Wednesday 15 July.
