England World Cup winner Nobby Stiles died in October 2020 at the age of 78 after a long illness. A coroner has now confirmed that his death involved chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), a degenerative brain disease linked to repeated blows to the head.
Stiles, who won the 1966 World Cup with England, made 28 appearances for the national team and played nearly 400 matches for Manchester United during his career.
Notably, he won the FIFA World Cup in 1966, playing every minute of England's victorious campaign.
Inquest has been Ordered into the Death of England's 1966 World Cup Winner
Known for his tough style in midfield, he was part of one of England's most successful generations. At a hearing at Stockport Coroner's Court, Chris Morris, the area coroner for Greater Manchester South, said a specialist had reviewed Stiles' brain tissue and medical records.
Based on those findings, he ruled that a full inquest into the former footballer's death should go ahead.
"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," Morris said.
Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images
An autopsy also found that Stiles had a form of dementia associated with repeated impacts to the head.
His family has been among those urging football authorities to provide greater support for former players they believe developed brain injuries during their careers.
The full inquest into Stiles' death is scheduled to begin on July 15 at Stockport Coroner's Court.
Stiles' son, John, who leads the Football Families for Justice campaign, has long argued that soccer contributed to his father's death.
His family has also continued to push for greater support for former players dealing with brain injuries.
This comes after a similar investigation into the death of former Manchester United and Scotland defender Gordon McQueen, where the coroner concluded that repeatedly heading the ball likely played a role in his brain disease.
Following that hearing, McQueen's daughter said neurodegenerative illnesses had affected many members of England's 1966 World Cup-winning squad.
