Former Sheffield United player Maddy Cusack’s father revealed at an inquest that she expressed distress when she learned that her former coach would be joining her football club just before her passing. The Chesterfield Coroner’s Court was informed that the 27-year-old was worried about facing stigma and ridicule at the club. Tragically, Ms. Cusack was found unresponsive at her home in Horsley, Derbyshire, on September 20, 2023.
According to her father, David Cusack, his daughter had raised concerns about her coach, Jonathan Morgan, in a written complaint to Sheffield United, citing issues related to their previous association. Ms. Cusack, who had previously enjoyed her time at Leicester, where she initially worked with Mr. Morgan, reportedly faced difficulties when he became her coach again at Sheffield United in February 2023. The court heard that her experience at Leicester had been challenging.
Describing her daughter’s feelings towards Mr. Morgan, Mr. Cusack mentioned that she had never encountered someone like him before, particularly noting his interactions with people. Despite this, Ms. Cusack had initially been content after joining Sheffield United in January 2019, where she also took on a part-time role in the club’s marketing team.
Expressing his daughter’s apprehension about Mr. Morgan’s return, Mr. Cusack highlighted her shift in behavior regarding her diet and motivation. The inquest revealed that Ms. Cusack felt demotivated towards the end. Mr. Morgan, representing himself at the inquest, inquired about Ms. Cusack’s departure from Leicester due to a hamstring injury, which Mr. Cusack attributed to interpersonal conflicts rather than injury.
Mr. Cusack also mentioned that his daughter had been anxious about her club contract by the summer of 2023, leading to a decline in her well-being. Despite signing a full-time contract with Sheffield United, Ms. Cusack struggled to balance her training hours with her marketing job, causing further stress. Her father expressed concerns about her mental health struggles and the lack of support provided by the club.
The inquest heard about Ms. Cusack’s challenges in juggling her roles and the impact on her well-being. Her father emphasized that she felt pressured to perform and feared being stigmatized if she disclosed her mental health issues. Mr. Cusack recounted finding his daughter unresponsive at their home and the subsequent actions taken to seek justice for what he believed were contributing factors to her passing.
While Ms. Cusack’s talent in sports was acknowledged, her father reiterated her passion for football. A subsequent investigation by Sheffield United found no evidence of wrongdoing. The inquest is ongoing.
For mental health assistance, individuals can reach out to the Samaritans for support.
