England World Cup winner Nobby Stiles died with a traumatic brain injury, a court heard on Friday as a coroner ruled an inquest into his death should be held.
78-year-old Stiles, former Manchester United footballer and 1966 World Cup winner, died of chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE).
This has been linked to head trauma, which is said to result from repeatedly heading a football.
Chris Morris, area coroner for Greater Manchester South, told Stockport Coroner’s Court in north-west England that a brain expert had examined samples and medical records and that the injury would require a full investigation.
A renowned defensive midfielder with a hard approach, Norbert ‘Nobby’ Stiles was capped 28 times by England and made almost 400 appearances for Manchester United.
Published on July 10, 2026
