Sheffield United men’s manager Paul Heckingbottom has confirmed that the club intend to pay tribute to Maddy Cusack, the Blades midfielder who died aged 27 this week, during Sunday’s Premier League clash with Newcastle United.
Cusack was named as vice-captain last month and last season became the first member of the women’s team to reach 100 appearances. She was the longest-serving player in Sheffield United’s current squad and had just started her sixth season in the Women’s Championship with the Blades when she passed away on Wednesday.
It is understood that a photo of Cusack will appear on the front of the club’s programme and players will wear black armbands this weekend, while discussions are ongoing over other possible tributes.
Speaking to the media in a pre-match press conference on Friday, Heckingbottom said: “First and foremost, everyone’s thoughts are with Maddy’s friends and family.
“She has been a big part of everything in my time here. She’s a senior figure in the women’s team and in the media team. It’s tough and we need to make sure everyone is OK at the club and we all support each other.
“There are plans [for a tribute] going off now but we want to be respectful to Maddy’s family to make sure they are involved. As much as we want to show our respects we want to make sure the family lead on that.
Heckingbottom admitted that the news of Cusack’s death had “knocked [him] back a bit” when Sheffield United chief executive officer Stephen Bettis called him on Thursday.
“As much as we are preparing for a huge game and wanting to get on with everything it has affected a lot of people and in different ways,” Heckingbottom added.
“Maddy has been so close to so many people at this club. We look after everyone here but, I’ll say it again, it’s about her family.”
Meanwhile, there will be postponements to this weekend’s FA Women’s National League fixtures between Newcastle United and Burnley, and Nottingham Forest and Liverpool Feds, as Cusack was a former teammate of several players set to be involved in those games.
All remaining fixtures in the women’s league will hold a minute’s silence before kick-off.
Baroness Sue Campbell, the Football Association‘s Director of Women’s Football, said the FA is in contact with Sheffield United to offer support, and that tributes to the late Blades and former England youth international midfielder would be made “at an appropriate time”.
In a statement on Thursday, Baroness Campbell said: “We are all devastated to learn about the passing of Maddy Cusack.
“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 the Blades halfway through their first campaign in the women’s second tier in January 2019 and signed a new contract extension in July.
Paying tribute to his former clubmate, ex-Sheffield United striker Billy Sharp posted a picture with Cusack on social media with the caption: “Such a lovely girl, enjoyed some amazing times with Maddy and the Blades. Such a sad loss. RIP Maddy.”
Such a lovely girl, enjoyed some amazing times with Maddy and the Blades. Such a sad loss. RIP Maddy
— billy sharp (@billysharp10) September 21, 2023pic.twitter.com/Bv68avWvrI
A statement on Sheffield United’s official website read: “Sheffield United 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.”
Blades chief executive 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.”
The Blades said talks over “suitable tributes and celebrating Maddy’s life” will continue privately, adding: “The club and Maddy’s family would appreciate a period of privacy and will not comment further at this sad time.”
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