{"id":130763,"date":"2023-09-22T09:31:37","date_gmt":"2023-09-22T09:31:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bluemull.com\/?p=130763"},"modified":"2023-09-22T09:31:37","modified_gmt":"2023-09-22T09:31:37","slug":"sheffield-united-devastated-by-death-of-longest-serving-player-maddy-cusack-aged-27","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bluemull.com\/celebrities\/sheffield-united-devastated-by-death-of-longest-serving-player-maddy-cusack-aged-27\/","title":{"rendered":"Sheffield United \u2018devastated\u2019 by death of longest-serving player Maddy Cusack aged 27"},"content":{"rendered":"

Sheffield United players and staff have been left \u2018heartbroken\u2019 by the death of women\u2019s team midfielder Maddy Cusack at the age of 27.<\/p>\n

Maddy, named vice-captain last month, had just started her sixth season with the Blades in the Women\u2019s Championship and was the longest-serving player in their current squad. She joined Sheffield United, who play at Bramall Lane, halfway through their first campaign in the women\u2019s second tier in January 2019 and last season became the first woman to reach 100 appearances for the club.<\/p>\n

The former England youth international signed a new contract extension with the Blades in July. She also worked as a marketing executive at the football club. <\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

United\u2019s chief executive officer Stephen Bettis said: \u201cThis 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.<\/p>\n

\u201cHer personality and professionalism made her a credit to her family \u2013 she will be sadly missed. While taking in the news and moving forward, the club will offer as much support as possible to Maddy\u2019s family, friends and colleagues.\u201d<\/p>\n

The Blades said talks over \u201csuitable tributes and celebrating Maddy\u2019s life\u201d will continue privately, adding: \u201cThe club and Maddy\u2019s family would appreciate a period of privacy and will not comment further at this sad time.\u201d<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

A statement on the club\u2019s official website read: \u201cSheffield United Football Club is devastated to report the sad news of the passing of Maddy Cusack.<\/p>\n

\u201cMaddy, a women\u2019s team player since 2019 and marketing executive for the Football Club, passed away on Wednesday.<\/p>\n

\u201cA respected player, Maddy, 27, last season reached the milestone of 100 appearances for Sheffield United Women.<\/p>\n

\u201cAdditionally, 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.\u201d<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Baroness Sue Campbell, FA director of women\u2019s football, said everyone was \u201cdevastated\u201d to learn about Maddy\u2019s death. She added: \u201cOn behalf of the FA, the Lionesses, the Women\u2019s Super League and the Women\u2019s Championship, our thoughts and deepest condolences are with Maddy\u2019s family, friends, team-mates and everyone at Sheffield United. <\/p>\n

"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." <\/p>\n

Maddy's old club, Birmingham City, said they were \u201csaddened\u201d to learn of the passing of their former player. \u201cAll of our thoughts are with Maddy\u2019s family and friends at this extremely difficult time," they added.<\/p>\n

Meanwhile, Arsenal and England defender Leah Williamson tweeted: "Sending all my love and condolences to Maddy\u2019s family at this awful time!" <\/p>\n<\/p>\n