Maddy Cusack’s former Sheffield United team-mate Nina Wilson told the Chesterfield inquest that her death was “definitely preventable”
Maddy’s mum paid tribute to her ‘beautiful daughter’ on social media(Image: @TheMaddyCusackFoundation on Instagram)
Sheffield United player Maddy Cusack’s death was “definitely preventable”, a former teammate has told an inquest.
Chesterfield Coroner’s Court was told this week that the 27-year-old was discovered unresponsive at her residence in Horsley, Derbyshire, on September 20, 2023. In the week following her death, Ms Cusack’s family submitted a written complaint to Sheffield United, detailing concerns allegedly arising from her relationship with the club’s then-coach, Jonathan Morgan.
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Nina Wilson, one of Ms Cusack’s former team-mates, told the inquest on Friday, July 3 that Mr Morgan had caused several players to feel “ostracised and isolated” and that it was widely acknowledged across numerous teams’ dressing rooms that there existed “a Morgan cult” at his previous club Leicester. She 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).”
Ms Wilson suggested Ms Cusack would have been discouraged from voicing any concerns after witnessing the treatment she claimed she had experienced at United. “When I tried to escalate concerns, I was told he (Morgan) was the manager and he can do what he wants,” Ms Wilson said. “I didn’t get any support, any signposting. That was the answer – that he was the manager. Maddy was aware of that.”
When asked about a remark she had included in one of her witness statements regarding her anger over Ms Cusack’s death and that it could have been avoided, Ms Wilson continued: “It was definitely preventable.”
She subsequently outlined a number of recommendations for the inquest to examine, stating it was “important this doesn’t happen again”. These included compulsory psychologists at WSL2 clubs, player care personnel and changes to the Football Association’s whistleblowing and grievance processes.
“We didn’t know where to go and we weren’t listened to,” Ms Wilson said.
Earlier on Friday, coroner Sophie Cartwright referenced a statement provided by another witness, former Sheffield United doctor Subhashis Basu, in which he stated the absence of support offered to players and staff during the transition from full-time to part-time over the summer of 2023 had been a “huge oversight” by the club and that it “must have been foreseeable” that such a transition would impact on well-being.
The investigation initiated in response to the complaint by the Cusack family in 2023 found no evidence of wrongdoing by anyone at the club. Ms Wilson informed the inquest that Mr Morgan left players feeling “on edge”, saying: “I felt there were a number of players who were ostracised and isolated. The players that were positive about him seemed to always be in his office, it created distrust.”
Ms Wilson described Ms Cusack as an “exceptionally confident” individual when they first met, but noted that following Mr Morgan’s appointment in February 2023, she became “nervous and withdrawn”.
Former team-mate Naomi Hartley was questioned by Mr Morgan, who is representing himself at the inquest, about whether she witnessed him bullying anyone during her stint at the club. She said: “No, I think a lot of people were intimidated by you.”
The inquest resumes on Monday, when Mr Morgan is scheduled to provide evidence.
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