Former Sheffield United women's captain Sophie Barker told Chesterfield Coroner's Court on Wednesday that she believes Maddy Cusack would still be alive if her girlfriend Grace Riglar had not moved to a different football club. Cusack, 27, was found unresponsive at her home in Horsley, Derbyshire, by her father on September 20, 2023, and died that day.
Barker's Testimony on Relationship Impact
Barker stated: "When Maddy found out Grace was going to go so far away, that affected Maddy. She felt Grace was leaving her - I had to reassure her that Grace was just moving... it didn't mean they had split or anything like that." Barker added: "I remember saying to Maddy's family, after everything that happened, that if Grace was still local Maddy would still be here."
The inquest heard that Cusack's family had sent a written complaint about head coach Jonathan Morgan, alleging issues stemming from her relationship with him. Dean Armstrong KC, representing Cusack's family, suggested to Barker that Morgan's behaviour and a lack of club support in balancing her full-time football role with her marketing job were the principal reasons for Cusack's mental health decline. Barker disagreed, saying: "No, I believe Grace was the main reason."
Cusack's Previous Experience with Morgan
Barker said Cusack had told her she felt "anxious" about Morgan joining Sheffield United in February 2023, based on her experience working with him at Leicester years earlier. Barker recalled: "She explained to me her previous experiences - that he was unprofessional, that he sold her dreams that, when she went there, weren't real and he chatted a lot of rubbish." However, the inquest heard that Cusack was "willing to give Morgan another chance" and did not subsequently discuss problems related to him with Barker. Barker explained: "She had either hid it from me or didn't tell me because she knew I would say something to Jonathan. Maddy really didn't like confrontation... she knew I would have gone and confronted him about it."
Teammate Observations and Physio Evidence
Barker noted that in June 2023, Cusack became "quieter" and "more reserved", adding: "She turned up and went home. She didn't really contribute to much. It was a completely different person to the Maddy that was the season before, where she was very bubbly." Francesca Carr, then head physiotherapist for United's women's team, told the inquest she did not have concerns Cusack would harm herself, stating: "There were players I had more concerns about from a mental health or a coping point of view." However, Carr recalled an incident where Cusack was "heartbroken" after going to the wrong training ground. Carr said: "I said 'we are at this one' and she just started crying on the phone. It just wasn't a normal reaction for me. I just thought that reaction is excessive for what happened. I know that emotional reaction is a sign."
Morgan's Representation and Further Evidence
The inquest previously heard that Cusack thought Morgan made a "personal attack" by not starting her in matches. Morgan, representing himself, asked Carr if the decision not to start Cusack in his first competitive game was in her "best interests" due to an ankle injury. Carr replied: "I think her not playing then, yes, was in her best interests." She added: "Maddy, in my professional opinion, pushed too hard too early on to try and get back fit." Asked by Joseph O'Brien KC, representing Sheffield United, whether she heard Cusack complain about Morgan in summer 2023, Carr replied: "No I didn't." The inquest continues.
If you are struggling with mental health, call Samaritans for free on 116 123 or visit samaritans.org.
