SHEFFIELD UNITED women's star Maddy Cusack has died aged 27, the club confirmed in a heartbreaking statement Thursday afternoon.
A statement from the club explained: "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."
Maddy had just entered her sixth season with the club after signing a new deal in July.
Her cause of death has not yet been revealed.
Read our live blog for the latest news and updates…
- By Louis Allwood
Birmingham City Women shares statement
Along with a photo of Maddy, the Birmingham City women’s team shared a tribute post on X, formerly Twitter, writing: “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."
- By Louis Allwood
Sheffield United's statement
A statement 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."
- By Louis Allwood
The Football Association also shares tribute
The FA wrote about Maddy’s death: “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.”
- By Louis Allwood
Tributes from fellow clubs pour in
Tributes poured in from across the football world for Cusack.
Leeds United wrote: "The thoughts and condolences of everyone at Leeds are with Maddy’s friends and family at this difficult time. Rest in peace, Maddy."
Luton Town noted: "Rest in peace, Maddy. We're sending our love and wishes to your family and friends and your colleagues at Bramall Lane."
Shrewsbury Town said: "We're so sorry to read this. All our thoughts and wishes are with Maddy's friends and family, and everyone at Sheffield United."
- By Louis Allwood
What clubs did Maddy Cusack play for?
Maddy Cusack ability allowed her to play for a number of teams in the country.
The midfielder represented Birmingham and Aston Villa before signing a contract with Sheffield United in 2019.
- By Louis Allwood
Who was Maddy Cusack?
Cusack was a talented midfielder who hit the 100-appearance milestone for Sheffield United.
And not only was she good on the pitch, Cusack also worked as a marketing executive for the football club.
The Blades' chief executive officer mentioned that the midfielder was very popular and that she will be "sadly missed."
- By Louis Allwood
Sheffield United pay touching tribute to Maddy Cusack
Sheffield United's X account, formerly known as Twitter, has updated their profile and cover photos in a touching tribute to Maddy.
The club switched their pictures to all black and white in a show of respect to the football player.
Their cover photo has also been updated to include Maddy playing for the club.
- By Amanda Castro
Heartbreaking final post
Maddy wasn't very active on social media, but her final post was heartbreaking.
She posted a photo of herself to her account with a pen and her United renewal contract for the season, which she captioned: "6 years & counting…
"Really happy to have signed another deal with Sheffield United. Exited for the season!"
- By Amanda Castro
Maddy had high hopes for this season
In one of her last interviews in July, Maddy said about the season: "I feel fit, feel sharp. Obviously getting into pre-season so it's good to have games."
She added: "The new girls are all really nice. I think they've all settled in really, really well. We've got a really nice group, so yeah I think we can achieve really good things this season, so I'm just really looking forward to getting started.
- By Amanda Castro
One of Maddy's chilling final interviews
After signing with the Blades for another year, Maddy spoke about renewing her contract.
"It feels amazing," Maddy said in an interview. "I think everyone knows how much I love this club. This club is my home, so to extend my contract for another year, yeah, I'm really excited and really pleased."
- By Amanda Castro
United's prime
United's heyday was undoubtedly the 30-year era from 1895 to 1925, when they were English champions in 1897-98, runners-up in 1896-97 and 1899-1900, and FA Cup winners in 1899, 1902, 1915, and 1925.
United have not won a trophy since 1925, with the exception of those related to promotion from lower levels, with their greatest cup achievements being multiple semi-final appearances in the FA Cup and League Cup.
- By Amanda Castro
The formation of Sheffield United
Sheffield United was founded on March 22, 1889, at the Adelphi Hotel in Sheffield (now the location of the Crucible Theatre) by Sir Charles Clegg, President of the Cricket Club.
After a dispute over gate revenues, the Wednesday relocated to their own ground at Olive Grove, and the tenants of Bramall Lane needed to form a new team to produce cash.
Sir Charles Clegg was also the president of The Wednesday Club.
- By Amanda Castro
The formation of Sheffield United
Members of the Sheffield United Cricket Club, founded in 1854 and the first English sports club to use the word 'United' in its name, created the club.
Sheffield United's most well-known nickname is "The Blades," a tribute to the city's reputation as the leading manufacturer of cutlery in the United Kingdom.
United's initial nickname was "The Cutlers" from 1889 until 1912. In their early years, City rivals Wednesday were known as "The Blades," but in 1907, Wednesday officially changed their name to "The Owls," in allusion to their new home in Owlerton, and United would subsequently take "The Blades" nickname for themselves.
- By Amanda Castro
League history of Sheffield United, continued
They spent six seasons in the third division, losing three playoff appearances before being promoted as champions in 2016-17 under manager Chris Wilder.
They were promoted to the Premier League in 2018-19 before returning to the Championship in 2021.
The team will return to the Premier League in 2023-24.
- By Amanda Castro
League history of Sheffield United
Sheffield United was a founding member of the Premier League in 1992-93 when they scored the competition's first goal.
After being demoted in 1994 and losing play-off finals in 1997 and 2003, the team regained Premier League status at the end of the 2005-06 season under manager Neil Warnock.
United were demoted the next year and were relegated to League One in 2011.
- By Amanda Castro
Killing at professional divisions
Following relegation in 1949, United won the Second Division title in 1952-53.
After relegation in 1956 and 1968, they spent the following three decades in the First and Second Divisions, achieving promotions in 1960-61 and 1970-71.
However, a steady decline saw the team descend to the fourth tier by 1982, however they would gain an automatic promotion as Fourth Division winners in 1981-82, making Sheffield United one of just five clubs in English football history to have won all four professional levels.
After being promoted in 1983-84, they rebounded from relegation in 1988 to earn back-to-back promotions to the top level at the end of the 1989-90 season.
- By Amanda Castro
More about the Sheffield United Football Club
Sheffield United was founded in 1889 as an outgrowth of Sheffield United Cricket Club.
Following outstanding achievements in the Midland League and Northern League, they were asked to join the Football League Second Division as founding members in 1892.
They were the first team to be promoted to the First Division at the end of the 1892-93 season and went on to win the English football championship in 1897-98.
United went on to win the FA Cup four times: in 1899, 1902, 1915, and 1925, and were runners-up in 1901.
They were in the top flight for 41 years before being demoted in 1934.
United finished second in the FA Cup in 1936 and second in the Second Division in 1938-39.
- By Amanda Castro
Sheffield United Football Club — men's
Sheffield United Football Club is a professional football club based in Sheffield, South Yorkshire, England, that participates in the Premier League after being promoted from the EFL Championship in 2022-23.
They are known as "the Blades" because Sheffield has a long history of producing cutlery.
Since its inception, the squad has played its home games at Bramall Lane.
United has used red and white striped jerseys with black shorts for most of its existence.
Sheffield Wednesday, with whom they compete in the Steel City rivalry, is their major opponent.
- By Amanda Castro
More about Sheffield United Women’s Football Club, part three
In 2005-06, the team was promoted to the Midland Combination Women's Football League thanks to 75-goal scorer Jodie Michalska.
All league and cup matches in the 2022/23 season will be played at Bramall Lane, it was confirmed in July 2022.
- By Amanda Castro
More about Sheffield United Women’s Football Club, continued
Sheffield Inter (previously Inter Owls), an adult East Midlands Regional Women's Football League team, was on the verge of collapsing in 2002, and Sheffield United Community Girls and Ladies successfully sought to take their place in 2002-03.
The team finished fifth in its debut season under new manager Derek Baxby, third in its second season, and runners-up to Derby County in 2004-05.
- By Amanda Castro
More about Sheffield United Women’s Football Club
Tony Currie formed Sheffield Hallam United in 1993 while serving as Sheffield United's Community Officer.
When this team collapsed after five seasons, Andy Keenan, one of Currie's coaches, started organising sessions for Year Five girls in Heeley.
Despite only five players attending the first training session, Sheffield United Community Girls joined a local youth league in 1998-99.
- By Amanda Castro
About Sheffield United Women's Football Club
Sheffield United Women Football Club is a South Yorkshire-based English women's football club.
The team is presently competing in the Women's Championship.
- By Amanda Castro
More tributes pour in
Shrewsbury Town said: "We're so sorry to read this. All our thoughts and wishes are with Maddy's friends and family, and everyone at Sheffield United."
Halifax Town added: "We’re all so sorry to hear this devastating news, we send our thoughts to all of Maddy’s family and friends and everyone associated with Sheffield United."
One Blades fan tweeted: "Awful news, so sad, rest in peace."
- By Amanda Castro
Flood of tributes for Maddy
Tributes poured in from across the football world for Cusack.
Leeds United wrote: "The thoughts and condolences of everyone at Leeds are with Maddy’s friends and family at this difficult time. Rest in peace, Maddy."
Luton Town noted: "Rest in peace, Maddy. We're sending our love and wishes to your family and friends and your colleagues at Bramall Lane."
- By Amanda Castro
Fans share their sadness over death
After learning of Maddy's death, fans are flooding X, formerly known as Twitter, with tributes.
One person wrote: "Absolutely devastated to hear of the passing."
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