Maddy Cusack was 'dismayed' that her former coach Jonathan Morgan was joining Sheffield United months before her death, her father told an inquest. The 27-year-old footballer was found unresponsive at her home in Horsley, Derbyshire, on September 20, 2023.
Father's testimony at inquest
David Cusack said his daughter feared being stigmatised and ridiculed at the club after Morgan became head coach of the women's team in February 2023. In a written complaint to Sheffield United, the family outlined issues allegedly stemming from her relationship with Morgan.
Ms Cusack had been 'so happy' to leave Leicester City, where she first worked with Morgan, and was 'loving life' until he rejoined her at Sheffield United, the inquest heard.
Life made 'unpleasant' at Leicester
The court was told that life had been made 'unpleasant' for Ms Cusack while she played for Leicester. Mr Cusack said his daughter 'never came across a character' like Morgan before, including the 'way he dealt with people'. She then 'fell on her feet' when she joined Sheffield United in January 2019, also working part-time in the club's marketing team.
Mr Cusack said: '(She was) dismayed by the possibility of him coming back into her life. I'm going to say 'look, it may have changed. It's a fresh start for both of you'. I tried to be positive.'
Changes before death
The inquest heard that Ms Cusack stopped being strict about her healthy diet before her death. Her father added: 'I think, towards the end, she was demotivated. She didn't let herself go, or anything like that. She was demotivated or deflated.'
Morgan, representing himself at the inquest, asked Mr Cusack if he knew that his daughter left Leicester due to a hamstring injury limiting her playing time. Mr Cusack said he believed it was due to a 'clash of personalities'.
Contract issues and mental health
Mr Cusack told the inquest that the 'worst thing that could have happened' before his daughter's death was 'the one thing she wanted' – signing a full-time contract at Sheffield. By summer 2023, she was 'fretting' about her contract. He said: 'We knew she was not very happy about how things had gone. She became unwell in July. I think that was a result of the contract. It was strung out most of the summer.'
When she signed to become a full-time player, training hours clashed with her marketing job. 'She was anxious, worried, how she was going to be able to combine the two roles. The money was less than it was the previous year. She just lost her joie de vivre.'
Asked about her comment that she had 'no future', her father said: 'She's got to give up something. She couldn't carry on like this. We thought she was depressed, not suicidal.'
Lack of support
The inquest heard that Sheffield United did not offer psychotherapy or other support to Ms Cusack. She was given a sick note by a doctor. Mr Cusack said his daughter feared that using mental health as an 'excuse' would lead to her being 'out' of the team, and she feared being stigmatised and ridiculed.
'It wouldn't be the first time an organisation stigmatised someone not well enough to work,' he added.
Final moments and complaint
Mr Cusack found his daughter upstairs in their family home on the evening of her death, before attempting CPR and calling an ambulance. He said: 'After she passed away, we wanted – and still want – those we think are responsible to be held responsible. Rather than just let it go, 'what a shame', I decided I wanted to write down what her problems were, what she told us her problems were, and make a complaint. The man in the firing line was Mr Morgan. I wanted to air the grievances we had. This is no mystery, it's all there.'
Mr Cusack described his daughter as 'talented at most sports' but 'football was her passion'. Sheffield United's own investigation, concluded in December 2023, found no evidence of wrongdoing. The inquest continues.
