Maddy Cusack Inquest Hears Concerns Over Jonathan Morgan Were Raised Before Her Death

What happened: The inquest into the death of former Sheffield United player Maddy Cusack heard evidence on Friday that concerns about manager Jonathan Morgan had been raised before her death in 2023, according to The Guardian. Former Sheffield United goalkeeper Nina Wilson told the court she had “tried to escalate concerns” but did not feel listened to.

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Wilson told the inquest that neither she nor Cusack had known who the club’s safeguarding officer was. She also listed recommendations for the court, including clearer whistleblowing routes for players and making mental health education a mandatory part of coaching qualification courses. Those points shift the hearing beyond one manager-player relationship and into questions about systems, access, and accountability in women’s football environments.

Key evidence: Wilson said Cusack’s death, at age 27 on 20 September 2023, was “definitely preventable.” She described Cusack as confident, funny, and attentive to others, but said she noticed a “very stark change” in Cusack’s demeanour from February 2023, when Morgan was appointed.

The hearing also included evidence that complicates any simple reading of the case. Another former Sheffield United player and Morgan’s former assistant coach Luke Turner told the court they had never personally witnessed Morgan bullying Cusack or other players. Former player Naomi Hartley, when asked by Morgan whether she had seen bullying toward Cusack, replied: “No, I just think a lot of people were intimidated by you.” Morgan is due to give evidence to the inquest on Monday.

Club environment: The inquest also heard about operational strain at Sheffield United Women during the summer of 2023 as the team transitioned from part-time to full-time status. Dr Subhashis Basu, the women’s team doctor at the time, said staff were so stretched that he had to help book a training pitch, collect player lunches from Tesco, and store medication at his house. He also referenced a frequent lack of access to private medical rooms and described the environment as extremely challenging.

Why it matters: For tournament and club football, safeguarding is not a side issue. The evidence described in court points to risks that can appear during rapid professionalisation: unclear reporting routes, under-resourced medical operations, unstable facilities, and staff structures that may not match the demands placed on players.

Confidence: Confirmed by the source are Wilson’s evidence, the disputed accounts heard in court, Morgan’s scheduled evidence on Monday, and Dr Basu’s description of staffing and facility pressures. The inquest has not concluded in the supplied facts, and no final legal finding should be inferred from Friday’s evidence alone.