Maddy Cusack’s coach her ‘nemesis’, mum tells inquest into death

The court previously heard Maddy’s life had been made “unpleasant” by coach Morgan while she played for Leicester City, and was “so happy to leave” in 2019 to join Sheffield United.

But the inquest was told she had been “dismayed” to learn Morgan was joining the Blades in February 2023.

Deborah said her daughter did not just play for the badge, but “lived and breathed” for Sheffield United.

She added just before Morgan took over, Maddy became a poster girl for the club, as the Blades erected a “massive” billboard of her, which “she loved”.

Asked about Morgan’s return, Deborah said: “Madeleine said she felt like history was repeating itself.

“She was devastated, it was like her nemesis returning… we’d never come across a character like that before.”

The inquest heard that Morgan had called Maddy “bottom heavy” after he joined the club, which prompted her to “try to get fitter and thinner” by changing her eating habits and going on runs after training.

Deborah was asked by the coroner if her daughter had mental health issues before.

“Absolutely not,” she said.

“We had never, ever had mental health issues before. She was a bright, bubbly confident girl – she was just normal Madeleine.”