The soccer world is in shock and grief after the sudden death of Maddy Cusack, a midfielder for Sheffield United Women and a marketing executive for the club. She was 27 years old.
A Devastating News for Everyone at Bramall Lane
Sheffield United announced the sad news of Cusack’s passing on Wednesday, September 20, 2023, without revealing the cause of death. The club said that police were not treating it as suspicious and that they were in contact with her family, who were being supported by specialist officers.
Stephen Bettis, Sheffield United’s chief executive officer, said in a statement: “This is heartbreaking 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.”
The club also said that they were planning to honor Cusack’s life with suitable tributes and asked the supporters to be in their seats for 4:15 pm on Saturday, September 23, before the game against Newcastle United.
A Remarkable Career as a Soccer Player and a Marketer
Cusack joined Sheffield United Women in 2019 and became the first player to make 100 appearances for the team since they entered the English Women’s Championship, the second division of women’s soccer in England. She was a versatile midfielder who could play in different positions and roles. She signed a new one-year contract with the club in July 2023 and expressed her love for the club in an announcement video: “I think everyone knows how much I love this club. This club is my home.”
Cusack also worked as a marketing executive for Sheffield United, helping to promote all areas of the club. She moved to the club’s offices at Bramall Lane in 2021 after working for the Sheffield United Community Foundation, a charity that uses soccer to improve the lives of people in the local community.
Cusack also represented England at age-group level and played for Birmingham City and Aston Villa before joining Sheffield United.
An Outpouring of Condolences and Tributes from the Soccer Community
Cusack’s death has sparked an outpouring of condolences and tributes from her former teams, teammates, opponents, fans, and other figures in the soccer community.
Birmingham City, one of Cusack’s former teams, posted on X: “The Club are saddened to learn of the passing of former player Maddy Cusack. All of our thoughts are with Maddy’s family and friends at this extremely difficult time.”
Aston Villa, another former team of Cusack, wrote on X: “We are deeply saddened to hear of the passing of former player Maddy Cusack. Our thoughts are with her family, friends and everyone at Sheffield United at this incredibly difficult time.”
Nottingham Forest, where Cusack played on loan in 2018, said on X: “We are devastated to hear of the passing of former player Maddy Cusack. Maddy was a fantastic person and player who will be greatly missed by everyone who knew her. Our thoughts are with her family, friends and everyone at Sheffield United.”
Sue Campbell, the English Football Association’s (FA) director of women’s football, said in a statement: “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, teammates and everyone at Sheffield United.”
Many other clubs, players, coaches, journalists, and fans also expressed their sadness and sympathy for Cusack’s death on social media platforms.
