Maddy Cusack's death 'definitely preventable'

A former team-mate of footballer Maddy Cusack has told her inquest her death was "definitely preventable".

Maddy, 27, was found unconscious by her father David at their family home in Horsley, Derbyshire, on 20 September 2023 and died the same day.

Her family sent a written complaint to Sheffield United in the week after her death, outlining issues allegedly stemming from her relationship with the club's coach at the time, Jonathan Morgan.

Nina Wilson, who played alongside Maddy, told Chesterfield Coroner's Court on Friday that Morgan had left a number of players feeling "ostracised and isolated".

Wilson said: "I'd been at a number of clubs before Sheffield United in the same league and whenever I'd played against Jonathan Morgan's teams before, those teams were aware it was a Morgan cult.

"That was talked about in various changing rooms, not just Sheffield.

"Everyone knew Jonathan Morgan didn't treat his players well, and was allowed to do what he wanted because his family were in charge [at Leicester]."

Wilson said Maddy would have been deterred from raising any concerns after witnessing the treatment Wilson said she had received at United.

"When I tried to escalate concerns, I was told he [Morgan] was the manager and he can do what he wants," she said.

"I didn't get any support, any signposting. That was the answer – that he was the manager. Maddy was aware of that."

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Asked about a comment she had made in one of her witness statements that she was angry about Maddy's death and it could have been prevented, Wilson added: "It was definitely preventable."

She then set out a series of recommendations for the inquest to consider, saying it was "important this doesn't happen again".

They included mandatory psychologists at WSL2 clubs, player care personnel and reforms to the Football Association's whistleblowing and grievance procedures.

"We didn't know where to go and we weren't listened to," Wilson added.

Another former team-mate, Naomi Hartley, was asked by Morgan, who is representing himself at the inquest, if she saw him bullying anyone during her time at the club.

She replied: "No, I think a lot of people were intimidated by you."

The inquest continues on Monday, when Morgan is due to give evidence.

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