Maddy Cusack Tribute

As much as I’ve enjoyed writing this blog so far this summer this is by far the most difficult post I’ve written to date and one that I wish I wasn’t. Whilst I’m grateful to the Maddy Cusack Foundation for allowing me to write this post, a large part of me would prefer to be writing about Maddy as a player to watch in this weekend’s match and the events of last September had never happened. I hope the below is a respectful tribute. 

It was one year ago today that Sheffield United Women midfielder Madeleine "Maddy" Cusack tragically passed away. I never got to see Maddy play either in person or on TV and, if I'm being entirely honest, Maddy was not a player I was overly aware of until a year ago, largely on account of the entirety of her career being spent playing two if not three leagues above NUW. That being said, when the news did come out I readily admit it hit me harder than most non-family bereavements have. I remember seeing the original tweet from Sheffield United as I was aware of the news when it was announced NUW’s match that weekend had been postponed. I suffer from anxiety myself and can be a bag of nerves at the best of times. I’ve re-written this post a few times now due to self doubt.

I can’t wrap my head around how a game that can bring so much joy to so many can be a polar opposite experience for someone who has dedicated their life to being a professional footballer, that just doesn’t feel right. The fact that the passing of a player that I was previously unaware of and who played for a club I have no connection to can have as significant affect on me as Maddy’s did I feel speaks volumes for the person Maddy Cusack was and the influence she had as a professional footballer. 

In the new age of women's football this season with the introduction of NewCo taking charge of the top two divisions I don't have the words to describe how sad it is that Cusack is not a part of it, continuing her legacy with Sheffield United. Like most men of my age who grew up in Newcastle, I dreamed of wearing the number 9 black & white shirt as an adult and scoring at the Gallowgate End. We’ve come a long way since I was a kid, through players such as Maddy the dream of being a professional footballer is no longer exclusive to boys. Like the many young fans who attend Kingston Park and look up to the lasses, I’ve no doubt there are plenty of girls at Sheffield United matches who have Cusack 8 shirts and as a result of watching Maddy and her teammates want to play the game, professionally, as a career. Football and especially club owners and managers / coaches should not put players in a position where they get so little enjoyment out of playing the game that they feel they have no other options, the beautiful game that we are all fans off has to be better. 

I find it fitting in a way that the Sheffield United match is this weekend. NUFC men were the first team to play Sheffield United men following the announcement of the bereavement last September. In front of the Sky Sports camera's the minute's silence that day at Bramall Lane in tribute to Maddy was shown the respect it deserved by the travelling away fans, I've no doubt it will be treat just as respectfully by the home support if there is a minute's silence at Kingston Park on Sunday. 

Going into last season, Maddy's sixth season with Sheffield United, she was the longest serving player at the club, vice captain and the first women's player to make over 100 appearances for Sheffield. I’m addition she also had a role in marketing at the club after moving across from the Sheffield United Community Foundation. During the 2017/18 season, both Maddy and our new signing Shania Hayles were in the same Aston Villa squad. Last season, another of our new signings this summer Sophie Haywood played at Sheffield with Cusack. I'm sure there are further links between Cusack and players / coaches at NUW, both from the current squad and last season's squad. On social media last September Haywood wrote: "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 missed Mads. Rest easy MC8". Similar comments were shared by players, coaches and fans from across football, many referring to the professionalism and kind nature of the England u19 international. By all accounts a player, and maybe more importantly, a person held in very high esteem by anyone she came into contact with. 

On behalf of the NUW fans, RIP Maddy, thank you for everything you did for the game of football during your career and the inspiration you continue to be to many. 

The Maddy Cusack Foundation can be found on Facebook - "The Maddy Cusack Foundation", Instagram  - "themaddycusackfoundation" and Twitter / X - "MC8_Foundation".

All the best for tonight's Bramall Lane vigil and I hope the Cusack family get the answers they are searching for from the ongoing FA investigation.

Our own captain Amber-Keegan Stobbs recently conducted an interview with the club website where she bravely discussed her mental health journey during her football career. I already admired Amber for her ability on the pitch, reading that interview however took my admiration for her up a level. It’s a very honest piece that at times makes for uncomfortable reading but is also an inspiring read and huge credit to Amber for being as open as she was. 

Off the pitch Amber is studying for qualifications in Reflections Counselling and Training and is an ambassador for If U Care Share, a charity providing services critical to prevention, intervention and support of those bereaved by suicide. I wish her every success in her ambassador role and her studies.

https://www.newcastleunited.com/en/news/amber-keegan-stobbs-ive-always-had-that-little-storm-inside