The girlfriend of late Sheffield United player Maddy Cusack has told an inquest that former manager Jonathan Morgan called Cusack a 'psycho' and that her eating habits changed after he allegedly commented on her weight.
Grace Riglar's Emotional Testimony
Grace Riglar, who played alongside Cusack for Sheffield United, fought back tears during a lengthy evidence session at Chesterfield coroner's court on Tuesday. At one point, she had to take a break while being cross-examined by lawyers representing the club. Riglar described Cusack as a 'very caring soul who always wanted the best for people'.
Riglar said that after Morgan arrived at Sheffield United in February 2023, he summoned players in relationships to a meeting. During that meeting, Morgan issued rules for player relationships, including that 'if he was to be annoyed with any one of us, the other can't hold a grudge against him'. Riglar said the meeting made Cusack 'uncomfortable'.
Alleged Comments and Impact
Riglar testified that Cusack felt uncomfortable when Morgan managed at a previous club and had called her 'psycho from the sideline' during a match. She added: 'She was a tough character so I don't think she'd ever let anyone know those kinds of comments would affect her, but they did make her uncomfortable.'
Riglar also stated that Cusack told her Morgan had commented on her weight. 'After one session she said Mr Morgan had made some kind of comment about her fitness or her weight or something... after that her eating habits changed a bit, slight tweaks in her habits that probably weren't the healthiest.' Under cross-examination, Morgan asked Riglar if she personally recalled him calling Cusack 'fat', to which she replied 'No'.
Omission from Match and Personal Attack
Morgan, who is representing himself at the inquest and is scheduled to give evidence on Monday, questioned Riglar about whether Cusack had an injury that would have ruled her out of his first match in charge. Riglar said Cusack felt it was a 'personal attack' from Morgan to not start her.
Cusack's Final Days
Cusack was found dead at her family home in Derbyshire on 20 September 2023, aged 27. Riglar recalled a trip to Matlock earlier that month where Cusack was 'fidgety, very erratic and scrolling on Indeed looking at jobs'. Riglar was unsure if she knew at that time that Cusack had recently been prescribed anxiety medication.
Riglar, now at Norwich City, spent one season at Sheffield United in 2022-23. She said she 'wouldn't have known where to go to if I had any problems' during her time at the club, contrasting with good experiences elsewhere. The club's legal team claimed she should have been aware of the safeguarding officer, but Riglar said she had no recollection.
Contract and Loneliness
Riglar was not offered a new contract at Sheffield United after the 2022-23 season, while Cusack received a full-time deal. Riglar moved to Lewes in summer 2023. When asked if her departure affected Cusack, Riglar said: 'I don't think it was ideal but it's part of football.' She began crying when asked if Cusack had been 'lonely', responding that she did not think so.
Morgan's Arrival and Previous Manager
Riglar said Cusack was 'anxious about him coming' when learning Morgan was likely to become manager, noting there had been a 'really good environment' under previous manager Neil Redfearn, who resigned in November 2022.
Evidence from Line Manager
The court also heard from Eoin Doyle, Cusack's line manager in the club's marketing department. Cusack earned a combined £38,000 per annum for about 50 hours per week across two roles. Doyle described her as a 'good, trustworthy employee'. He recalled a conversation in August 2023 where she appeared to have 'sunken into herself'. When she requested time off in September 2023, he said 'take as much time as you need'. Doyle also said Morgan had 'expressed concern' about Cusack's demeanour in the weeks before her death.
The inquest continues on Wednesday.
