Dismissed solicitor continues to represent footballers in court case

Richard Boardman, the solicitor dismissed by a group of over 1,000 rugby players with brain injuries who are suing the sport’s governing bodies, continued to lead a similar claim on behalf of dozens of former footballers. He addressed a hearing at the Royal Courts of Justice this week and expressed his intention to "come off the record," as the claimants indicated their unanimous decision to terminate their dealings with his firm, Rylands Garth.

Boardman’s management of the rugby brain injury case faced strong criticism from the presiding judge, Master Jeremy Cook, who highlighted alleged "widespread non-compliance" and "misleading evidence." This criticism particularly referred to his failure to provide the court with all of the claimants’ medical records, which he had pledged to do. Master Cook is now contemplating whether to strike off the case entirely, leaving a significant number of former union and league players, including England World Cup winners Steve Thompson and Phil Vickery, without any outcome after six years of challenging legal battles.

Despite his dismissal by the rugby players, Boardman remained active in representing a group of 23 former footballers who are suing the Football Association, English Football League, and FA of Wales due to permanent brain injuries sustained during their careers. This group includes the families of World Cup hero Nobby Stiles, former Newcastle manager Joe Kinnear, and four former Premier League players. The football case, viewed as more manageable for Rylands Garth due to the smaller number of claimants and fewer medical records, coincided with the FA changing their defence team earlier this year, and both parties continued to exchange documents.

Meanwhile, the rugby claimants were in the process of appointing new solicitors. However, until they finalize new representation, Boardman remained notionally in charge, despite having been absent from court for the last day and a half of hearings this week. The firm Leigh Day had been consulting on the rugby case since February and considered whether to take it on.