Former footballer Maddy Cusack: Coach says he was 'really happy' to have her on team
Sheffield United women's coach Jonathan Morgan testified that he offered Maddy Cusack a full-time contract and made her vice-captain, but her family alleges he caused issues.
Jonathan Morgan, who coached Sheffield United's women's football team, continued giving evidence on Tuesday at Chesterfield Coroner's Court regarding the death of 27-year-old Maddy Cusack. She was found unconscious at her family home in Horsley, Derbyshire, on 20 September 2023 and was pronounced dead the same day.
Morgan told the court he was "really happy" to have Cusack on the team and offered her a full-time contract. He made her vice-captain, calling it a "big sign of respect." Morgan emphasised he wanted her in his senior leadership team and valued her opinions. "You would not make someone vice-captain if you felt you did not have a good relationship with them," he added.
However, the inquest previously heard that Cusack's family sent a written complaint to the club a week after her death, outlining issues allegedly stemming from her relationship with Morgan. Her mother, Deborah, described Morgan as her daughter's "nemesis," claiming he made comments about her weight and relationship to "cut her down to size" and be "in control."
Morgan's evidence revealed he was "anxious on a number of fronts" when he took over as head coach in February 2023, with the team in poor form and battling relegation. He said if his joining was a big issue, Cusack would have had the opportunity to disclose that.
In August 2023, Morgan expressed concerns that Cusack was "not well" and asked club doctor Dr. Subhasis Basu to speak to her. When asked if he expressed concerns about risk of self-harm or suicide, Morgan said he had not. The doctor updated Morgan after speaking to Cusack, and Morgan said he felt comforted because Basu was experienced.
The inquest heard that on 6 September 2023, Cusack messaged Morgan saying she would not attend training. They agreed to a phone call on 11 September, during which Cusack said she had seen a GP, received medication, and would take time off work. Morgan said the call gave him "enough reassurance she wanted to get back into football." However, no documentation of the conversation was made, and Morgan only updated the doctor. When asked if he would have consulted HR given it was his first experience with a player off work for mental health issues, Morgan said he escalated to whom he thought was the right person at the time. The inquest continues.
