Heading footballs caused Nobby Stiles’ brain disease, coroner finds

The inquest was told expert analysis of Stiles’ brain showed his severe dementia was as a result of Alzheimer’s disease but also CTE.

Du Plessis, a consultant neuropathologist at Salford Royal Hospital, said: “In this case, it is quite clear that Mr Stiles had advanced dementia and he died of his dementia – that is the primary cause of death here.

“Added to the mix was CTE – we know it is caused by people who have head injuries.

“I’m quite convinced his heading the football that many times has caused his CTE.”

The senior coroner asked Du Plessis: “What you are saying is that the CTE that Mr Stiles clearly had, you are satisfied on the balance of probability, the cause was heading the ball?”

He replied: “Yes. This is a very complicated issue and it is important to use such a death to highlight – that we do now know repeated head injuries have an impact on the brain.”

The coroner, recording the cause of Stiles’ death as Alzheimer’s disease with “high stage” CTE, also said a condition known as “stage three limbic predominant age related TDP-43” had been a contributing factor, as well as the cerebrovascular disease.

She added: “It seems strange that we are having this conversation on a day like today”, referring to England’s World Cup semi-final game against Argentina later on Wednesday.