Today marks the one-year anniversary of Maddy Cusack’s death on the 20th September 2023.
Maddy made the most appearances for Sheffield United Women of any player in the club’s history, she was the first female player to make 100 Sheffield United appearances and was affectionately known as Miss Sheffield United.
In this article we remember Maddy’s career and time with the Blades including quotes from Maddy’s brother, Richard Cusack.
Tonight at 7pm, there will be a vigil for Maddy in the Bramall Lane car park, hosted by the Maddy Cusack Foundation. We encourage anyone who can to attend the event.
About the vigil, Richard said: “We held one shortly after Maddy passed a year ago, to get people to remember her which is what the foundation is about.
“It was a chance for us all to come together at a place in Bramall Lane that Maddy enjoyed being at. Her spiritual home.
“This year, people can bring anything they want to honour Maddy with. Maddy’s friends brought shirts from when they used to play together as kids. But it’s really about presence now rather than material things.”
Since the foundation was set up by Maddy’s family they have been amazed by the support they have received.
Richard said: “We’ve greatly appreciated the support from everyone and continue to lean on people for their support it’s a slight comfort to see the support the foundation as had and it helps us to succeed in our aim to make football a safe place for everyone.
“People we didn’t know before have come together to help us and have become very close to us as a family, Sheffield United fans have been absolutely superb.
“We’ve been blown away by the Women’s football community in general from Maddy’s friends and former teammates and colleagues.”
He added: “My sister, Olivia has grown this from nothing into something that’s really quite remarkable, it’s been very impressive to see how quickly the support base has grown and its all due to the support of the community and it really speaks to the person Maddy was that people are so keen to see this succeed.”
Richard made it clear how much Maddy loved Sheffield United and her time in Sheffield.
“Sheffield United meant everything. From coming downstairs on Christmas day dressed in her Sheffield United Santa outfit to having Sheffield United air fresheners in her car.
“The club was all she ever spoke about to be honest. It became a personality trait, which we always used to remind her of. She took to the club, she made Sheffield her home, the city her home. She used to love showing us around the place.
“Sheffield, Bramall Lane was her spiritual home. Her face was on the stadium, and that kind of accolade is only for people of a certain standing. So, that’s why we’re doing the vigil at Bramall Lane because it became her home.”
During her playing career, Maddy represented Aston Villa, Birmingham City, and Leicester City before joining the Blades creating many memories along the way.
Richard said: “I was in York watching her winning the League Cup with Aston Villa, that was a real highlight. Also, when she played in front of 11,000 against London City at Bramall Lane in 2022.
“But really, every game was a highlight, a privilege and I would do anything to watch her one more time.”
Maddy was just as involved off the pitch as on it, putting her First-Class Honours degree in Marketing achieved from the University of Derby to good use for the Sheffield United Community Foundation and in the Blades marketing department.
Richard said: “She loved that job, she loved her colleagues, she loved the buzz of matchdays, she had a very good job she loved it.
“It was something she was really proud of, that she’d made her way in her career, she loved the camaraderie and all of the team. She loved being around the players, she loved it all.”
Remembering his sister Richard said: “It was an absolute pleasure to spend as much time as I did with her. It was a real privilege to have known her and to have her as part of our family.”
If you would like to get involved in supporting the foundation, Richard said you should contact the foundation through their social media channels or dropping him or other foundation members a message.
“We’ll all be at the vigil on Friday. If you’re there please come and say hello to us. We’ll be at the game on Saturday, if you see us please come up and say hello.”
Rest in peace, Maddy. Once a Blade, Always a Blade …
If you or someone you know is struggling please reach out to:
Samaritans helpline: 116 123
Mind helpline: 0300 102 1234
CALM helpline: 0800 58 58 58