England 1966 World Cup hero Nobby Stiles died from a traumatic brain injury, investigation reveals

By STEWART WHITTINGHAM, REPORTER Published: 12:10, 10 July 2026 | Updated: 16:05, 10 July 2026 A coroner has ordered a full inquest be held into the death of England World Cup winner Nobby Stiles after it was found he died from a traumatic brain injury. An investigation found the 1966 winner died from high stage chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), a preliminary inquest was told. The former Manchester United midfielder's family believe his death was caused by heading the ball. Former Scotland and Leeds United defender Gordon McQueen also died after suffering from the same brain injury. Coroner Chris Morris ruled a full inquest into his death be held next Wednesday at South Manchester Coroners Court in Stockport. Nobby Stiles (bottom left) celebrates winning the 1966 World Cup with England at Wembley Stiles, pictured in 2008, died from a traumatic brain injury in 2020 He said: 'On the basis of the cause of death, particularly the inclusion of a traumatic element, I am satisfied that an inquest is required on the sad death of Mr Stiles. 'I therefore open and adjourn a full inquest until the 15th July.' The inquest was told that the midfielder died in a care home in Urmston, Greater Manchester in October 2020 aged 78. But his family's subsequent investigations found he died from three causes of death. These were Alzheimer's, CTE and limbic-predominant age related encephalopathy (LATE) and small vessel cerebral vascular disease. Gordon Banks - The goalkeeper, who made one of the greatest saves ever seen to deny a certain goal by Brazil's Pele in the 1970 World Cup, died in February 2019 at the age of 81. George Cohen - The right-back and vice-captain died in December 2022 at the age of 83. He had battled bowel cancer twice and suffered years of ill health before his death. Nobby Stiles - The tough midfielder, who danced on the Wembley pitch with the Jules Rimet trophy in one hand and his false teeth in the other, died in October 2020 at the age of 78. He had prostate cancer and advanced dementia. Alan Ball - The hard-working midfielder died of a heart attack in April 2007 aged 61. Martin Peters - The West Ham player scored England's second goal in the final. Another to suffer from Alzheimer's in later life, he died in December 2019 aged 76. Roger Hunt - The forward He passed away at the age of 83 in September 2021. He had suffered from a long illness. Jack Charlton - The centre-back died in July 2020 at the age of 85 after suffering from lymphoma and dementia. Bobby Moore - The captain, famously wiped his hands so as not to dirty the Queen's white gloves as he went to collect the trophy. He died aged 51 in February 1993 after suffering from bowel and liver cancer. Ray Wilson - The left-back died in May 2018, aged 83, having suffered from Alzheimer's disease for 14 years. Nobby Stiles - The tough midfielder, who danced on the Wembley pitch with the Jules Rimet trophy in one hand and his false teeth in the other, died in October 2020 at the age of 78. He had prostate cancer and advanced dementia. Geoff Hurst - The hat-trick hero is the only one of the team still alive aged 81. Your browser does not support iframes.