Maddy Cusack’s former teammate tells inquest her death was ‘definitely preventable’
The death of Sheffield United footballer Maddy Cusack was “absolutely preventable” and outlined the urgent changes needed to support player welfare in women’s football, a former teammate has told the inquest.
Chesterfield Coroner’s Court heard this week that Ms Cusack, 27, was found unresponsive at her home in Horsley, Derbyshire, on September 20, 2023. His family sent a written complaint to Sheffield United the week after his death detailing problems allegedly arising from his relationship with the club’s then coach Jonathan Morgan.
Ms. Cusack’s former teammate, Nina Wilson, testified Friday that Mr. Morgan left some players feeling “left out and isolated.” He claimed it was widely known in various dressing rooms that there was “a cult of Morgan” at his former club Leicester.
“Before Sheffield United I had been at a number of clubs in the same league and when I had played against Jonathan Morgan’s teams before, those teams were aware that it was a Morgan cult,” Ms Wilson said. “It was talked about in various dressing rooms, not just at Sheffield. Everyone knew Jonathan Morgan was not treating his players well and (at Leicester) he was allowed to do whatever he wanted because his family were in charge.”
Ms Wilson suggested Ms Cusack would have been deterred from raising her concerns after witnessing the treatment she allegedly received at United.
“When I tried to raise my concerns I was told he (Morgan) was the manager and could do whatever he wanted,” Ms Wilson said. “I didn’t get any support or direction. That was the answer; she was the manager. Maddy was aware of that.”
Asked about an earlier statement in which she expressed anger and belief that Ms. Cusack’s death could have been prevented, Ms. Wilson repeated: “It certainly could have been prevented.”
He then made a number of recommendations for the investigation, emphasizing the importance of preventing similar tragedies. These included mandatory psychologists at WSL2 clubs, dedicated player care staff and reforms to the Football Association’s reporting and complaints procedures. “We didn’t know where to go and they didn’t listen to us,” he added.
Earlier on Friday, coroner Sophie Cartwright referred to a statement by former Sheffield United doctor Subhashis Basu, who described the lack of support for players and staff during the transition from full-time to part-time in the summer of 2023 as a “gross negligence” by the club. He added that “it should be foreseeable” that such a change would impact welfare.
Despite the allegations, the investigation launched in 2023 upon the complaint of the Cusack family did not find any evidence of any crime at the club.
Ms Wilson told the inquest that Mr Morgan made players feel “on edge”, adding: “I felt there were a number of players left out and isolated. Players who thought positively of him always seemed to be in his office, which created distrust.” He observed that Ms Cusack, initially an “exceptionally confident” person, had become “nervous and withdrawn” after Mr Morgan’s appointment in February 2023.
Mr Morgan, who was representing himself at the inquiry, asked another former teammate, Naomi Hartley, if she had ever seen him bully anyone. He replied: “No, I think a lot of people were afraid of you.”
The inquest will continue on Monday, when Mr Morgan is expected to give evidence.
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