Sheffield United Women devastated by sudden death of 27yo captain Maddy Cusack

Sheffield United Women have been left 'devastated' after the sudden passing of Maddy Cusack. A club captain and pillar of the playing group who had just re-signed with the Women's Championship club. Cusack had been at the club since 2019 and became the first player to reach 100 appearances for the women's team last season.

The club announced the sad news on September 21, 2023. "This is heartbreaking news for everyone at Bramall Lane," Sheffield United chief executive officer Stephen Bettis said in a statement, as reported by the BBC. 

"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 and Maddy's family would appreciate a period of privacy and will not comment further at this sad time," the statement concluded.

Photo: Instagram - @sufc_women

At the moment, the cause of Cusack's sudden death is a mystery.

The reality is that Sheffield United is left without one of its key players on the field, and one of its leaders and beloved members off it.

Maddy Cusack had not only signed a one-season contract with the club in July, but had been named as one of the captains in August.

The player arrived at Sheffield United in 2019, becoming the first player to reach a hundred appearances for the club and was the most experienced player on the team.

Her connection to Sheffield United went beyond sports, as she also served as the club's Marketing executive.

Cusack's former clubs Birmingham, Aston Villa, and Nottingham Forest also paid tribute. As did the Football Association's director of women's football, Baroness Sue Campbell, who has offered formal support to grieving club at this time.