Coach tells inquest of last contact with Maddy Cusack

The inquest was told that on 6 September 2023, Cusack sent a message to Morgan informing him she would not be attending training.

Then, after she reached out, the pair agreed to a phone call a few days later on 11 September 2023.

Morgan told the inquest – in the phone call – he was informed she had been to the GP and provided with medication, and was told she would take time off work.

The pair also spoke about Cusack “potentially” attending a match on 30 September 2023, the inquest heard.

He said the phone call provided him with “enough reassurance she wanted to get back into football”.

When asked whether he felt “reassured” by their conversation, Morgan said: “I wouldn’t use the word reassured, but the information she gave me was a positive step forward, in my opinion.”

The inquest heard “no documentation” was made of the conversation, and afterwards Morgan updated Basu.

Questioning Morgan, assistant coroner Sophie Cartwright KC asked the coach whether he consulted HR given it was his “first experience” of a player being off work with mental health issues.

“I escalated to who I thought was the right person at the time,” Morgan said in response.

When questioned whether he would have raised further concerns with the doctor if he thought she was at “imminent risk” of self-harm or suicide, Morgan said: “Yes.”

The inquest continues.