Rugby Brain Injury Claim Solicitor Dismissed, Still Leads Similar Football Case

The solicitor dismissed by a group of over 1,000 rugby players with brain injuries who are suing the sport’s governing bodies is still leading a similar claim on behalf of dozens of former footballers. Richard Boardman told a hearing at the Royal Courts of Justice this week of his intention to “come off the record,” with the claimants indicating that they had unanimously agreed to terminate their dealings with his firm, Rylands Garth. Boardman’s management of the case was strongly criticised by the presiding judge, Master Jeremy Cook, who highlighted alleged “widespread non-compliance” and “misleading evidence,” with particular regard to his failure to make good on a pledge to provide the court with all of the claimants’ medical records. Master Cook is now considering whether to strike off the case entirely, which would leave a large cohort of former union and league players including England World Cup winners Steve Thompson and Phil Vickery with nothing to show for six years of gruelling legal battles. Despite being dismissed by the rugby players however, Boardman is still acting on behalf of a group of 23 former footballers who are suing the Football Association, English Football League and FA of Wales as a result of permanent brain injuries sustained during their careers. The group includes the families of World Cup hero Nobby Stiles, former Newcastle manager Joe Kinnear and four former players from the Premier League era. With a far smaller number of claimants, and as a result fewer medical records, the football case is seen as more manageable for Rylands Garth. Coincidentally, the FA changed their defence team in the case earlier this year and both parties remain in the process of exchanging documents. The rugby claimants are in the process of appointing new solicitors, but until they have done so Boardman remains notionally in charge despite being absent from court for the last day and a half of hearings this week. The firm Leigh Day has been consulting on the case since February and is considering whether to take it on.