David Cusack, father of late Sheffield United footballer Maddy Cusack, has told an inquest that the most significant cause of his daughter's mental health deterioration was the behaviour of Jonathan Morgan, the team's manager at the time. The 27-year-old former England Under-19s international was found dead at her family home in Derbyshire on 20 September 2023.
Father's testimony details dismay over Morgan's return
David Cusack told Chesterfield coroner's court that his daughter was "dismayed by the possibility of him coming back into her life" when she learned Morgan was set to be appointed by Sheffield United in February 2023. Maddy had previously played under Morgan at Leicester City for a brief spell in 2018. David Cusack described Morgan as the "principal reason" she left Leicester during the 2018-19 season, moving to Sheffield United in the winter transfer window. He said: "She'd never come across a character like him before. The way he dealt with people, his man-management, when you're in, you're in, when you're out, you're out." He claimed Morgan's managerial style was "my way or the highway."
Morgan disputes father's account
Morgan, who is representing himself at the inquest, engaged in a tense exchange with David Cusack, accusing him of relying on hearsay. Morgan questioned the father about Maddy not playing in his first three games, attributing it to an injury. He also asked: "The statistics showed there were more wins without Maddy in the team, than with her in it – what would you have done?" David Cusack replied: "I'm not a football coach, I've no idea. I've never interfered [with any coach's team selections]. You and I have hardly spoken." Morgan then interjected: "If we've hardly spoken, how would you have a fair assessment of me?" David Cusack responded: "She told me what she told me," adding that a "huge number of people" had submitted evidence about Morgan to an FA investigation, which has not been made public.
Inquest hears from doctor about stigma fears
Dr Mobeen Bhatti, who issued Maddy Cusack with a sicknote in September 2023, told the inquest that Cusack asked for her mental health problems and anxiety not to be specifically mentioned in the sicknote provided to Sheffield United, because she did not want to be "stigmatised." Maddy Cusack, the first player to reach 100 appearances for Sheffield United's women, also worked in the club's marketing department. She signed a professional contract in summer 2023, earning £18,000 a year from football, up from £6,000 the previous season when playing part-time, excluding her marketing salary. David Cusack said his daughter was anxious about juggling both roles.
Morgan claims he provided welfare support
Morgan claimed he made Maddy Cusack's lunches to ease her time-management pressures and gave her greater leeway around training times, something David Cusack said his daughter never mentioned. Morgan was sacked by Sheffield United in February 2024. The club's own investigation in December 2023 found no evidence of wrongdoing. The inquest continues, with Morgan scheduled to give evidence next Monday, and testimony from Cusack's partner and mother expected on Tuesday. The inquest could take up to two weeks.
