Sheffield United pay tribute to Maddy Cusack ahead of their clash against Newcastle United with players wearing her name and No on their shirts after their most-capped women’s player passed away aged 27

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Sheffield United paid tribute to Maddy Cusack ahead of their clash against Newcastle in the Premier League on Sunday.

The 27-year-old passed away earlier this week and players lined up for a minutes silence ahead of their match on Sunday.

Paul Heckingbottom’s men observed the silence while wearing ‘Cusack 8’ shirts.

Fans took to their feet to applaud on the 8th minute, a tribute to Cusack and her squad number. 

The pictures were heartwarming as the stadium united to show their appreciation for Sheffield United’s longest-serving women’s player.

Furthermore, Sheffield United women’s captain Sophie Barker joined Cusack’s sister, mother and former Blaid Tony Currie to lay flowers ahead of kick-off

Sheffield United paid tribute to Maddy Cusack ahead of their clash against Newcastle in the Premier League on Sunday

Paul Heckingbottom ‘s men observed the silence while wearing ‘Cusack 8’ shirts

A flag with the club’s crest on was lowered to half-mast out of respect

Fans observed the minutes silence before applauding in the 8th minute in tribute

Sheffield United women’s captain Sophie Barker was emotional alongside Cusack’s sister, mother and former player Tony Currie, who laid flowers ahead of kick-off 

The sudden death moved the footballing world, with games across England also holding minutes silence out of respect this weekend.

Her death comes after being made vice captain of the women’s team just last month.

Cusack, who was hailed as ‘pure talent’ by her teammates, joined Sheffield United in 2019 when they were half-way through their first season in the Barclay’s Women’s Championship in 2019.

Described by the club as ‘an all-energy midfielder’ Cusack is the first women’s player to reach 100 appearances for the football club and had signed a new deal back in July.

Alongside her playing career, Cusack worked as a marketing executive or the Blades.

Previously playing for Aston Villa, Nottingham Forest and Birmingham, Cusack found her home at Bramall Lane and was a key part of their side. 

The Blades will be hoping to get their first win of the season as they face Newcastle. 

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