England World Cup winner Nobby Stiles died with brain condition caused by repeatedly heading football
A coroner said repeated heading caused chronic traumatic encephalopathy, and medical evidence found it helped drive Stiles’ severe dementia and death.
- On Wednesday, Senior Coroner Alison Mutch ruled at Stockport Coroner's Court that former Manchester United and England midfielder Nobby Stiles' death was "significantly contributed" to by chronic traumatic encephalopathy caused by repeated football heading.
- John Stiles estimated his father headed the ball over 136,000 times during his 17-year career, noting that older footballs became heavy when wet, increasing impact force during training and matches.
- Neuropathologist Dr. Daniel Du Plessis told the court he had "absolute proof" Stiles suffered from high-stage CTE, while Alzheimer's disease was the primary cause of death, repeated head impacts played a clear role.
- John Stiles, who leads the Football Families for Justice group, is among dozens of former players suing the Football Association over claims authorities were "negligent and in breach of their duty of care" regarding head injury risks.
- Amid broader concerns about neurodegenerative disease among 1966 World Cup winners, the Football Association introduced a phased ban on deliberate heading in grassroots youth matches and announced a £1 million fund to assist impacted former players.
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27 Articles
Autopsy tests have revealed that the England World Cup winner also suffered from Alzheimer's disease and chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), which may be linked to repeated head injuries he suffered throughout his career.
'Absolute Legend': Fans Share Moving Stories of Nobby Stiles After Landmark Coroner's Decision
England World Cup winner Nobby Stiles died in Greater Manchester in 2020 from dementia caused in part by chronic traumatic encephalopathy linked to repeatedly heading a football, a coroner has ruled at Stockport Coroner's Court, prompting supporters across the country to share memories of a man many still describe as an 'absolute legend'. Senior coroner Alison Mutch recorded Stiles' cause of death as Alzheimer's disease, contributed to by high-s…
Nobby Stiles became world champion in 1966 in the legendary Wembley game against Germany. However, he paid for his long career in football with his health, the countless headballs in his career trigger a disease.
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