Last video of tragic Maddy Cusack weeks before her death aged just 27

Last video of tragic Maddy Cusack weeks before her death aged just 27: Sheffield United star laughs and jokes with teammates while unveiling club’s new kit – as ‘devastated’ Lionesses pay tribute and prepare to wear black armbands during Scotland match

Sheffield United have announced that Maddy Cusack has died at the age of 27
Cusack, who was vice-captain, had just started her sixth season with the club
She was the longest-serving player in the current Sheffield United squad

Maddy Cusack was seen laughing and joking with her Sheffield United team-mates at a photoshoot in the last video of her before her shock death at the age of 27.

Cusack, who became the first player to reach 100 appearances for the Women’s Championship club and was named vice-captain last month, tragically died on Wednesday.

Her cause of death has not yet been disclosed. Chesterfield Coroner in Derbyshire said it is investigating.

In behind the scenes footage posted by Sheffield United this week, Cusack was beaming at the camera as the squad unveiled their new kit ahead of the season.

She described the club’s away kit – the first strip ever designed uniquely for the women’s team – as ‘really cool’ and said she thought it would be a ‘fan favourite.’

Cusack’s death has sparked an outpouring of tributes from her ‘broken’ team-mates as well as several members of the Lionesses squad who are set to wear black armbands and hold a minute’s silence before their clash with Scotland tonight.

Maddy Cusack tragically died aged 27 on Wednesday. Her cause of death has not yet been disclosed

https://youtube.com/watch?v=n8HBewl4p1k%3Frel%3D0

Cusack was seen beaming at the camera in what is believed to be the last footage of her online before her shock death

In behind the scenes footage posted by Sheffield United yesterday, Cusack and her team-mates unveiled the club’s new kit ahead of the season

Cusack (right) jokes around with her team-mates who are interviewing her using a GoPro at the kit launch

The midfielder, who represented England at the Under-19 level, had just started her sixth year with Sheffield United and had spoken of her excitement for the new season in her most recent Instagram post.

READ MORE: Maddy Cusack’s brother pays heartbreaking tribute to late sister after the tragic death of Sheffield United’s longest serving women’s player aged 27

Cusack, hailed as a ‘pure talent’ by those who played with her, also worked as a marketing executive at the club, who said they were ‘devastated’ by her passing.

After her death, the Sheffield United’s star’s heartbroken brother, Richard Cusack, paid tribute, tweeting: ‘My beautiful sister. May you rest in peace Maddy.’

Several of the Lionesses squad have shared tributes, including captain Leah Williamson who wrote: ‘Sending all my love and condolences to Maddy’s family at this awful time!’

Williamson was joined by team-mates Beth Mead, Jordan Nobbs, Beth England and Lauren Hemp in paying tribute.

England and Arsenal star Beth Mead said: ‘Devastated by this news. Had the pleasure of playing with Maddy at youth. Thoughts and love to Maddy’s friends and family.’

Aston Villa midfielder Jordan Nobbs added: ‘Sending all our love to Maddy’s family and friends.’ Tottenham’s Beth England posted: ‘This is devastating news. My thoughts and love go out to her family, friends and everyone at Sheffield United. Rest in peace, Maddy.’

And Manchester City forward Lauren Hemp penned: ‘Awful awful news, my love and thoughts are with her family, friends and everyone at Sheffield.’

Maddy Cusack (pictured in her last Instagram post) was named vice-captain of Sheffield United last month and signed a new deal

Her heartbroken brother, Richard Cusack, paid tribute yesterday, tweeting: ‘My beautiful sister. May you rest in peace Maddy.’

Leah Williamson was joined by Lionesses Beth Mead, Jordan Nobbs, Beth England and Lauren Hemp in paying tribute

Maddy Cusack playing against London City Lionesses at Brammalll Lane on November 20 last year

In the last video of Cusack, which was filmed in August but only released on Wednesday, she is asked by a team-mate holding a GoPro: ‘How do you feel Maddy?’

The footballer, donning the club’s new home kit, replied: ‘Yeah good. The kit’s nice. What do you think to the new away kit?’

She then sweetly tells her team-mate: ‘You know what it really suits you, the blue.’

When her team-mate then jokes ‘does it really bring out my eyes?’ Maddy replies: It absolutely does, yeah.’

Later on in the video Cusack is seen wearing Sheffield United’s away kit. When asked what she thinks of it, she replies: ‘Yeah really cool, really nice.’ She added: ‘Very pretty, yeah really great. Looks fresh. I think this will hopefully be a fan favourite.’

Cusack joined Sheffield United halfway through their first campaign in the women’s second tier in January 2019.

The former England youth international, who was the longest-serving player in their current squad, signed a new contract extension with the club in July.

After agreeing to extend her stay at Sheffield United, Cusack – who previously played for Birmingham, Aston Villa and Nottingham Forest, said: ‘I think everyone knows how much I love this club. This club is my home.’

The former England youth international, who was the longest-serving player in their current squad, signed a new contract extension with the club in July

In her last Instagram post seven weeks ago, she said: ‘6 years and counting… Really happy to have signed another deal with Sheffield United. Exited [sic] for the new season!’

Tributes have poured in under the post of her beaming at the camera as she pens the new deal. One user said: ‘RIP Beautiful’. Another said: ‘Rest easy darling.’

A Sheffield primary school described how the ‘inspirational’ Cusack came to visit in the snow.

Ecclesall Primary School shared a photo of Cusack smiling with the schoolchildren along with the caption: ‘We are really saddened to hear that footballer Maddy Cusack died earlier this week aged just 27.

‘Maddy was one of 3 players from Sheffield United who came to inspire girls to play football at a joint event with Sheffield Girls’ in March 2023 (in the falling snow)! Our thoughts are with her family, friends and the wider Sheffield United, Sheffield United Women community. A really inspirational woman!’

Friends described her as a ‘beautiful soul’ who was ‘always kind and helpful’. ‘You had gone on to achieve amazing things and we had watched with pride,’ a friend said. ‘Thoughts to your lovely family. An utter tragic loss to comprehend.’

The talented footballer last played for the Blades on August 27 in a 1-1 draw against Charlton Athletic. She did not feature for the club in their defeats to Sunderland and Blackburn Rovers or their win over Lewes earlier this month.

A statement on the club’s official website read: ‘Sheffield United Football Club is devastated to report the sad news of the passing of Maddy Cusack.

Cusack also worked as a marketing executive for the club and its Community Foundation. Here, she is pictured celebrating Sheffield United’s promotion back to the Premier League

In February, Cusack became the first player to make 100 appearances for Sheffield United from when they came into the Championship

https://youtube.com/watch?v=ARyFpewY-tU%3Frel%3D0%26start%3D62

‘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.’

Sheffield United’s chief executive officer Stephen Bettis said: ‘This 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.

‘Her personality and professionalism made her a credit to her family – she will be sadly missed.

‘While taking in the news and moving forward, the club will offer as much support as possible to Maddy’s family, friends and colleagues.’

Paul Heckingbottom, the manager of Sheffield United’s men’s team, tweeted last night: ‘Sad day. Maddy was one of our family. A big part of our club both on and off the pitch. Love and thoughts to Maddy’s family.’

Former Sheffield United captain Billy Sharp tweeted a heartfelt photo of him and Cusack celebrating the club’s promotion to the Premier League with the caption: “Such a lovely girl, enjoyed some amazing times with Maddy and the Blades. Such a lovely girl, enjoyed some amazing times with Maddy and the Blades.’

After agreeing to extend her stay at Sheffield United, Cusack said: ‘I think everyone knows how much I love this club. This club is my home.’

Sheffield United legend Billy Sharp tweeted a heartfelt photo of him and Cusack celebrating the club’s promotion to the Premier League

Cusack, named vice-captain last month, had just started her sixth season with the Blades

A Sheffield primary school described how the ‘insipirational’ Cusack came to visit in the snow

Cusack’s former teammate at Aston Villa, Chloe Beattie, wrote: ‘Can’t quite believe what I’ve heard at the moment. Many years of sharing the pitch with you to only speaking to you 2 weeks ago.

‘Many seasons of training, matches, playing abroad, lots of highs and lots of lows. You were pure talent. What a person. What a player. Always our number 8. Rest in peace.’

Sheffield United said talks over ‘suitable tributes and celebrating Maddy’s life’ will continue privately, adding: ‘The club and Maddy’s family would appreciate a period of privacy and will not comment further at this sad time.’

Her Blades’ team-mates have also been paying tribute, with goalkeeper Beth Davies writing on Twitter that she was: ‘Heartbroken.

‘There aren’t words to say how much you’ll be missed, Mads,’ she added.

Defender Molly Graham wrote: ‘Absolutely devastating news. Such a great person and team-mate. You will be missed hugely! Rest in peace Mads.’

Charlotte Newsham posted: ‘Beyond broken and shocked to have lost a team-mate and good friend. We will miss you so much Mads.’

Sophie Haywood, who joined the club in 2022 and also played in midfield, posted several pictures of herself and Cusack on her social media channels while writing: ‘Heartbroken and beyond words.

‘I hope you know the impact you have had on me and so many others on and off the pitch. A true professional and such a genuine person. You are loved by many and will be so so missed Mads. Rest easy MC8.’

Fran Stenson also posted a photo of her team-mate, writing: ‘I’ll always remember the good times we’ve had together. Gone far too soon. I hope we do you proud Maddy. May you rest in peace.’

Ashley Hodson wrote: ‘RIP Maddy, a genuine soul. My thoughts are with Maddy’s family at this time. You will be missed.’

While Rachel Brown, who signed for Sheffield United in 2022, said: ‘Absolutely devastating news. A great team-mate and an even better person.’

‘Sending all my love to Maddy’s family and friends. Fly high Mads, love Brown Pants.’

Cusack’s former clubs also shared statements. Birmingham City said: ‘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.’

Several of her Sheffield United team-mates paid tribute following the announcement of her death

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Nottingham Forest wrote: ‘We are deeply saddened to learn the passing of Maddy Cusack. Maddy played for Forest during her time at our academy. Our thoughts go out to her friends, family and everyone at Sheffield United at this truly difficult time.’

And Aston Villa wrote: ‘Everyone at Aston Villa is devastated to learn of the passing of former player, Maddy Cusack. Our thoughts and condolences are with Maddy’s family and friends at this difficult time.’

Sue Campbell, the FA’s director of women’s football, said: ‘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.

‘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.’

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