Former Sheffield United player Maddy Cusack was 'dismayed' that her previous coach, Jonathan Morgan, was joining her club months before she died, her father has told an inquest. The 27-year-old was found unresponsive at her home in Horsley, Derbyshire, on September 20, 2023.
Father's testimony at Chesterfield Coroner's Court
David Cusack told Chesterfield Coroner's Court that his daughter feared being stigmatised and ridiculed at the club. In a written complaint sent by the family to Sheffield United, he identified head coach Jonathan Morgan as being in the 'firing line' over issues allegedly stemming from his relationship with Ms Cusack.
Ms Cusack had been 'so happy' to leave Leicester City, where she first worked with Mr Morgan, and was 'loving life' until he became her coach again at Sheffield United in February 2023. The court heard that life had been made 'unpleasant' for Ms Cusack while she played for Leicester.
Impact on Maddy Cusack's wellbeing
Mr Cusack said his daughter 'never came across a character' like Mr Morgan before, including the 'way he dealt with people'. She had 'fallen on her feet' when she joined Sheffield United in January 2019, also working part-time for the club's marketing team.
He 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.' The inquest heard that Ms Cusack stopped being strict about her healthy diet before her death, with her father adding: 'I think, towards the end, she was demotivated. She didn’t let herself go, or anything like that. She was demotivated or deflated.'
Dispute over reasons for leaving Leicester
Mr Morgan, representing himself in the inquest, asked Mr Cusack if he was aware that his daughter left Leicester because of a hamstring injury that limited her playing time. Mr Cusack said he thought it was due to a 'clash of personalities'.
He also told the inquest that the 'worst thing that could have happened' before Ms Cusack’s death was 'the one thing she wanted' – signing a contract to play football full-time at Sheffield United. 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 as a result of the contract. It was strung out most of the summer, that contract. My own theory about that was it was a case of, “If we don’t offer her a contract, she will look somewhere else”.'
Struggles with dual roles and lack of support
When Ms Cusack signed as a full-time player, she found it difficult because training hours clashed with her marketing job. Her father said: '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 a comment by Ms Cusack 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.' The inquest heard that Sheffield United did not offer psychotherapy or other support, and she was given a sick note by a doctor.
Fear of stigma and final moments
Mr Cusack said his daughter, prescribed medication, felt that using mental health as an 'excuse' would lead to her being 'out' of the team, and feared being stigmatised and ridiculed. He added: 'It wouldn’t be the first time an organisation stigmatised someone not well enough to work.'
He found his daughter upstairs on the evening of her death, attempted CPR and called 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.'
Club investigation and inquest continues
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.
For mental health support, contact the Samaritans on 116 123, email jo@samaritans.org or visit samaritans.org.
