England’s Lionesses pay tribute to Maddy Cusack during game against Scotland after the Sheffield United midfielder tragically passed away this week aged 27
- Sheffield star Maddy Cusack tragically died on Wednesday at the age of 27
England’s women’s team tonight paid tribute to Sheffield United star Maddy Cusack following her shock death at the age of 27.
Cusack, who was the longest-serving member on the side and named vice-captain last month, tragically died on Wednesday.
Her cause of death has not yet been disclosed but Chesterfield Coroner in Derbyshire said it is investigating.
Tonight as the Lionesses went head-to-head with Scotland in the Nations League tournament, a minutes silence was held at the Stadium of Light for the young player, who represented England at the Under-19 level.
As the stadium fell quiet a young Cusack’s fan was seen holding up a sign with a photo of the Blades midfielder, with ‘RIP Maddy’ written on it, while a black and white photo of the player flashed up on screens around the stadium.
The Football Association had reportedly been in contact with Sheffield United over an appropriate tribute to Cusack.
England’s women’s team tonight paid tribute to Sheffield United star Maddy Cusack following her shock death at the age of 27
Yesterday, Sheffield United announced that its star midfielder, Maddy Cusack had died at the age of 27
Tonight, ahead of the Lionesses match against Scotland, a minutes silence was held in the Stadium of Light
Sheffield United midfielder Maddy Cusack has died at the age of 27, the club have announced
Cusack’s sudden death has sparked an outpouring of grief from her ‘broken’ teammates, as well as several members of the Lionesses squad.
Her heartbroken brother, Richard Cusack, led tributes yesterday tweeting: ‘My beautiful sister. May you rest in peace Maddy.’
READ MORE: Who was Maddy Cusack as Sheffield United’s longest-serving women’s player and vice-captain has tragically died aged 27
Lionesses’ captain Leah Williamson wrote: ‘Sending all my love and condolences to Maddy’s family at this awful time!’
Meanwhile the FA director of women’s football, Baroness Sue Campbell, issued a statement on behalf of the Women’s national side, stating that the FA was offering it’s support to the Blades.
She said: ‘On behalf of the FA, the Lionesses, the Women’s Super League and the Women’s Championship, our thoughts and deepest condolences are with Maddy’s family, friends, team-mates and everyone at Sheffield United.
‘Maddy also represented England at age-group level and we will pay tribute to her at an appropriate point. We are in contact with the club and will continue to offer them our full support during this incredibly sad time.’
Cusack joined Sheffield United in 2019 when they were half-way through their first season in the Barclay’s Women’s Championship in 2019.
Described by the club as ‘an all-energy midfielder’ Cusack is the first women’s player to reach 100 appearances for the football club and had signed a new deal back in July.
The former England youth international, who was the longest-serving player in their current squad, signed a new contract extension with the club in July
Cusack, named vice-captain last month, had just started her sixth season with the Blades
Cusack also worked as a marketing executive at the club, who said they were ‘devastated’ by her death
Her heartbroken brother, Richard Cusack, paid tribute yesterday, tweeting: ‘My beautiful sister. May you rest in peace Maddy.’
England women’s star Leah Williamson was among the players to post a message of support on X
The former England youth international, who also worked as a marketing executive at the club, signed a new contract extension with the club in July.
Sharing the news just seven weeks ago, she wrote on Instagram: ‘Six years and counting… Really happy to have signed another deal with Sheffield United. Exited [sic] for the new season!’
Under the photo, which shows her beaming at the camera as she penned her new deal, tributes from fans have poured in. One user said: ‘RIP Beautiful’. Another said: ‘Rest easy darling.’
Cusack’s teammates also took to social media to pay their respects. Goalkeeper Beth Davies wrote on X, formally known as Twitter, that she was ‘heartbroken’.
‘There aren’t words to say how much you’ll be missed, Mads,’ she added.
Defender Molly Graham wrote: ‘Absolutely devastating news. Such a great person and team-mate. You will be missed hugely! Rest in peace Mads.’
Cusack’s former teammate at Aston Villa, Chloe Beattie wrote: ‘Can’t quite believe what I’ve heard at the moment. Many years of sharing the pitch with you to only speaking to you 2 weeks ago.
‘Many seasons of training, matches, playing abroad, lots of highs and lots of lows. You were pure talent. What a person. What a player. Always our number 8. Rest in peace.’
Maddy Cusack (pictured in her last Instagram post), who was named vice-captain of Sheffield United last month, tragically died on Wednesday
Cusack’s team-mates took to social media to pay tribute to their friend and colleague on Friday
A Sheffield Primary school called Cusack an ‘inspiration’ remembering how she came to visit pupils despite the snow.
Ecclesall Primary School shared a photo of Cusack smiling with the schoolchildren along with the caption: ‘We are really saddened to hear that footballer Maddy Cusack died earlier this week aged just 27.
‘Maddy was one of 3 players from Sheffield United who came to inspire girls to play football at a joint event with Sheffield Girls’ in March 2023 (in the falling snow)! Our thoughts are with her family, friends and the wider Sheffield United, Sheffield United Women community. A really inspirational woman!’
Aston Villa star Alisha Lehmann, one of the most popular women’s footballers, posted: ‘Everyone at Aston Villa is devastated to learn of the passing of former player, Maddy Cusack.
‘Our thoughts and condolences are with Maddy’s family and friends at this difficult time. When I saw this I was very heartbroken REST IN PEACE DEAR.’
Friends described her as a ‘beautiful soul’ who was ‘always kind and helpful’. ‘You had gone on to achieve amazing things and we had watched with pride,’ a friend said. ‘Thoughts to your lovely family. An utter tragic loss to comprehend.’
A Sheffield primary school described how the ‘insipirational’ Cusack came to visit in the snow
Sheffield United legend Billy Sharp tweeted a heartfelt photo of him and Cusack celebrating the club’s promotion to the Premier League
The talented footballer last played for the Blades on August 27 in a 1-1 draw against Charlton Athletic. She did not feature for the club in their defeats to Sunderland and Blackburn Rovers or their win over Lewes earlier this month.
Sheffield United revealed the sad news yesterday evening. A statement from the Blades read: ‘Sheffield United Football Club is devastated to report the sad news of the passing of Maddy Cusack.’
‘Maddy, a women’s team player since 2019 and marketing executive for the Football Club, passed away on Wednesday.
‘A respected player, Maddy, 27, last season reached the milestone of 100 appearances for Sheffield United Women.
‘Additionally, she was a valued colleague in the offices at Bramall Lane, moving over from the Sheffield United Community Foundation to the club in 2021 to help market all areas of the Blades.’
Sheffield United’s chief executive officer Stephen Bettis said: ‘This is heart-breaking news for everyone at Bramall Lane.
‘Maddy had a unique position of being part of a number of teams at Sheffield United and was popular with everyone that she came into contact with.
‘Her personality and professionalism made her a credit to her family – she will be sadly missed.
‘While taking in the news and moving forward, the club will offer as much support as possible to Maddy’s family, friends and colleagues.’
Paul Heckingbottom, the manager of Sheffield United’s men’s team, tweeted last night: ‘Sad day. Maddy was one of our family. A big part of our club both on and off the pitch. Love and thoughts to Maddy’s family.’
Former Sheffield United captain Billy Sharp tweeted a heartfelt photo of him and Cusack celebrating the club’s promotion to the Premier League with the caption: “Such a lovely girl, enjoyed some amazing times with Maddy and the Blades. Such a lovely girl, enjoyed some amazing times with Maddy and the Blades.’
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