A coroner has ruled that a full inquest must be held into the death of 1966 England World Cup winner Nobby Stiles, after a court heard he died with a traumatic brain injury. The former Manchester United midfielder, who died in October 2020 at the age of 78, was found to have chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), a condition linked to repeated head traumas.
Coroner orders inquest after brain examination
Chris Morris, area coroner for Greater Manchester South, told Stockport Coroner's Court that neuropathology expert Dr Daniel du Plessis had examined Stiles's brain and medical records. Dr Du Plessis expressed the opinion that Stiles's cause of death was Alzheimer's disease, but also said his death was contributed to by high-stage chronic traumatic encephalopathy, along with stage three limbic predominant age-related TDP-43 and small vessel cerebrovascular disease.
Mr Morris said: "On the basis of that cause of death, particularly the inclusion of a traumatic injury included in the cause of death, I'm satisfied an inquest is required into the sad death of Mr Stiles." The coroner noted that, for reasons not entirely clear, Stiles's death was not initially reported to the coroner's office. The investigation only began after information was provided by the ex-footballer's family.
Stiles's football career and legacy
Norbert "Nobby" Stiles, born in Manchester in 1942, was a tough-tackling defensive midfielder who played nearly 400 times for Manchester United and was capped 28 times by England. He was a key member of the England team that won the 1966 World Cup. After a long illness, he died in 2020. His family has since campaigned for football authorities to do more to help former players cope with injuries they claim were caused during their playing days.
Full inquest scheduled
The coroner set a full inquest hearing for Wednesday, July 15, at the same court. The inquest will examine the circumstances of Stiles's death, including the role of CTE, which has been associated with head traumas sustained in contact sports.
