World Cup winner Nobby Stiles' cause of death confirmed as full inquiry launched

World Cup winner Nobby Stiles died from a traumatic brain injury, a court has heard, as a full inquiry into his death will be launched.

Chris Morris, area coroner for Greater Manchester South, made the ruling after neuropathology specialist Dr Daniel du Plessis reviewed the former Manchester United midfielder's medical records and brain examination results.

The 78-year-old, who died in 2020, was found to have had chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), a condition linked to repeated head trauma from heading footballs throughout his career.

The full inquest hearing is scheduled for Wednesday at Stockport Coroner's Court.

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Dr du Plessis concluded Alzheimer's disease was the primary cause of death for the World Cup winner.

But the expert also identified several contributing factors, including high-stage CTE, 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, for reasons he found unclear, Stiles's death had not been reported to his office at the time it occurred.

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The investigation only commenced after his family provided information to authorities.

Stiles, born in Manchester in 1942, earned 28 England caps and made nearly 400 appearances for Manchester United.

His son John has previously said football had "killed" his father.

John Stiles now leads Football Families for Justice, a campaign group demanding greater support from football authorities for former players suffering from conditions they believe stem from their playing careers.

The family was forced to sell Stiles's World Cup winner's medals to pay for his dementia care.

John Stiles is among dozens of ex-players and relatives pursuing legal action against the Football Association, the Football Association of Wales and the English Football League, alleging negligence and breach of duty of care.

Legal representatives for the former players argue football governing bodies knew or ought to have known for decades repeatedly heading balls during training and matches risked causing brain injuries.

The FA's lawyers countered at the High Court in March it has "not been established by science" heading a ball or "occasional" concussion causes permanent brain damage.

An inquest into Gordon McQueen's death in January concluded heading was likely a contributing factor to the brain injury that played a role in the former Scotland, Manchester United and Leeds defender's passing at 70.

A 2019 study co-funded by the FA and PFA found professional footballers face three-and-a-half times greater risk of dying from neurodegenerative disease compared to the general population.

The FA is eliminating heading from youth football for under-11s by 2026.

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