A coroner has ordered a full inquest into the death of 1966 England World Cup winner Nobby Stiles, after preliminary findings indicated he died from a traumatic brain injury. The investigation determined that Stiles suffered from high stage chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), a condition his family believes was caused by heading the ball during his career.
Stiles, a former Manchester United midfielder, passed away in October 2020 at the age of 78 in a care home in Greater Manchester. His family's subsequent investigations identified three contributing causes of death: Alzheimer's, CTE, and limbic-predominate age-related encephalopathy (LATE) along with small vessel cerebral vascular disease.
Coroner Chris Morris ruled that a full inquest is necessary given the traumatic element identified in the cause of death. The inquest is scheduled to be held next Wednesday at South Manchester Coroners Court in Stockport.
Stiles was known for his tough-tackling style and his memorable celebration on the Wembley pitch after England's 1966 World Cup victory, holding the Jules Rimet trophy in one hand and his false teeth in the other. He had also been battling prostate cancer and advanced dementia prior to his death.
He is among several members of the 1966 World Cup-winning squad to have died in recent years, many of whom have been diagnosed with neurological conditions. Gordon Banks died in February 2019, Martin Peters in December 2019, Jack Charlton in July 2020, and Roger Hunt in September 2021. George Cohen died in December 2022, and Ray Wilson in May 2018. Alan Ball died in April 2007. Sir Geoff Hurst is reportedly the only surviving member of the team.
Former Scotland and Leeds United defender has also died after suffering from the same brain injury, the investigation notes, highlighting a potential link between football and neurodegenerative diseases.