{"id":293411,"date":"2023-09-21T20:49:29","date_gmt":"2023-09-21T20:49:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sportstons.com\/?p=293411"},"modified":"2023-09-21T20:49:29","modified_gmt":"2023-09-21T20:49:29","slug":"sheffield-united-womens-star-dies-aged-27-as-club-pay-tribute-to-popular-player","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sportstons.com\/soccer\/sheffield-united-womens-star-dies-aged-27-as-club-pay-tribute-to-popular-player\/","title":{"rendered":"Sheffield United Women\u2019s star dies aged 27 as club pay tribute to popular player"},"content":{"rendered":"
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    Sheffield United have confirmed the death of player Maddy Cusack at the age of 27.<\/p>\n

    The midfielder has been hailed as a popular member of the Blades squad, who juggled her on-field role with a marketing position at the club. A statement published on Thursday said the club was 'devastated' to learn of Cusack's death just four years after she joined the women's team.<\/p>\n

    "This is heartbreaking news for everyone at Bramall Lane," said chief executive officer Stephen Bettis. "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

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    "Her personality and professionalism made her a credit to her family – she will be sadly missed. Whilst taking in the news and moving forward, the club will offer as much support as possible to Maddy's family, friends and colleagues."<\/p>\n

    Cusack came through the academy at Nottingham Forest before joining Aston Villa in 2012. She moved to the Steel City five years later, where she cemented her reputation as a likeable figure after adding her marketing role in 2021.<\/p>\n

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    The playmaker was described as a 'valued colleague' at Bramall Lane owing to her contributions in multiple areas of the club. A cause of death remains unknown at this point.<\/p>\n

    Another of Cusack's former clubs, Birmingham City, responded to the news by saying those at St Andrew's were 'saddened' by the news. Yorkshire Live journalist Nathan Hemmingham commented that Cusack "always had a smile on her face and [was] great company."<\/p>\n

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    In her four years with Sheffield United, Cusack made more than 100 appearances for the club and was part of the team that finished eighth in the Women's Championship last season. She joined during the club's first campaign in England's second tier and very rarely missed minutes in her four-and-a-half-year tenure.<\/p>\n

    Hemmingham praised Cusack as the first player to reach 100 appearances for United, with one fan writing: "She embodied the spirit of the club." Sheffield United confirmed tributes celebrating the player's life 'will continue privately'.<\/p>\n