“My beautiful daughter, Madeleine.
The saddest and most utterly heartbreaking reason why I am having to stand here and speak to you today is because of football.
From February this year, the indomitable, irrepressible spirit, the spirit called Maddy, the spirit that we had so fiercely protected was allowed to be broken.
2 years ago today 👉🏼 Maddy photographed in the Sheffield United third kit, being chosen by her club to model their latest collection.
I’ll always remember her being so proud to be involved in their shoot days.
It is no secret, nor should it be, that Sheffield United Football Club have agreed at the request of Maddy’s family to carry out a thorough external investigation into the events that her family believe contributed significantly to her passing at the tender age of 27.
Maddy kicked her first football on Mablethorpe Beach at just 18 months old.
An example of the indomitable, irrepressible spirit that we have been telling you all about.. ❤️
A little girl with an undeniable love for the game.
#MC8
A supporter of Maddy and The Maddy Cusack Foundation (Rachel Elizabeth) has created a petition to have Maddy’s number 8 shirt RETIRED.
SIGN THE PETITION HERE 👇🏼
@lucy_watsonnn
..
#thelifeofmaddy
. ❤️
“When I joined Sheffield United as a young 16 year old, Maddy took me under her wing immediately.
She supported me so much throughout my time at Sheffield United, helping me through my first seasons playing senior football.
If Christmas is hard,
If you’ve lost someone dear.
Just look in your heart,
And you’ll know they’re still here.
The star in the sky,
The light falling snow.
The robin outside,
It seems like they know.
“Nevaeh had a game this morning, as always she had her Maddy top on and she scored a goal! 🥳
She ran over to me and said, Mummy that was for Maddy.”
If you needed a smile today, you can thank Nevaeh. ❤️
Throwback 👉🏼 7th July 2015, Maddy joined team mates during her time at Aston Villa to launch their 2015-16 kit.
“New signing Micah Richards, Scott Sinclair, Ciaran Clark and Jack Grealish joined Lionesses Olivia Fergusson and Maddy Cusack in modelling the new kits.”
Those who knew Maddy well will be aware that she had no long standing mental health issues or troubles. Not that there would be anything to be ashamed of if there were, but there were not.
Those that didn’t know her need to know that.
We did it!
Thank you so much to every single person who donated to The Maddy Cusack Foundation.
We will keep you updated with what we choose to do moving forward with the aim to benefit young girls within the world of women’s football.
After a number of responses to our latest post, calling friends of Maddy on and off the pitch, we’d like to share them with you!
Introducing ➡️
#thelifeofmaddy
. ❤️
What a fantastic day. 💛
Thank you to everyone who helped make it a success.
Well done to our brother, Richard.. you made us all so proud. 💫
More photos to follow tomorrow!
#MC8
Taking her away from me.”
On Friday 27th October, the day before Maddy’s birthday, our family had a Memorial service to honour Maddy.
This evening, we wanted to share with you the speech our Mum (Deborah) shared with those who joined us.
What. A. Day. 👏🏼
More photos to follow, we’d like to say a huge thank you to today’s event organisers.. Hayley and Georgia and of course to each player involved and our fantastic supporters.
I know Maddy was with us today, beaming with pride.
#MC8
Earlier this year, a fan of Maddy’s began a petition to have her number 8 shirt retired with the intention of honouring and celebrating her achievements, dedication and 5 year career at Sheffield United.
@lucy_watsonnn
“A tradition of mine and Maddy’s was to always get a caramel custard doughnut from Greggs after away games if we won.. (we still got it even if we didn’t to make ourselves feel better!).
WOW, WE MADE IT! 🤩
After a long day, starting at 5am this morning, we’re arrived at Bramall Lane!
Thank you so much for all of the support both online and offline and to all of our friends & family who joined us on our journey.
“Proud to have made 100 appearances for Sheffield United. I always give my all whenever I put on this shirt and hope there are many more to come. ❤️⚒️”
As the longest serving Sheffield United women’s player, we as a family would like to see Maddy’s number 8 shirt retired.
We’d like to say a big well done and thank you to Courtney Sweetman-Kirk, for her support and completion of the Monsal Trail Half Marathon, which she ran on behalf of
@themaddycusackfoundation
yesterday. 💫
EFD Sport & Education .. 👉🏼 Miles for Maddy 💫
On February 24th, Team EFD will be walking 40+ miles from Pride Park to Bramall Lane to raise money for a cause close to our hearts; The Maddy Cusack Foundation ⚽️ .
Caught on camera at last night’s Sheffield United game against Liverpool at Bramall Lane. 📸⚽️
All support is so appreciated… we must keep Maddy’s memory ALIVE. ❤️
#MC8
@georgiahewitt94
..
#thelifeofmaddy
. ❤️
“Mads and I first came in contact at Aston Villa about 12 years ago, we ended up bonding over us both being from Derby and ended up sharing lifts, often with us chatting the whole way there and back.
A supporter of Maddy and The Maddy Cusack Foundation (Rachel Elizabeth) has created a petition to have Maddy’s number 8 shirt RETIRED.
SIGN THE PETITION HERE 👇🏼
Please SHARE. 💫
#twitterblades
#sufc
“My beautiful daughter, Madeleine.
The saddest and most utterly heartbreaking reason why I am having to stand here and speak to you today is because of football.
MC GIVEAWAY. 📢
Rams fans.. Forest fans.. listen 🆙🐏🌳
Join us for the chance to win a men’s DERBY COUNTY signed shirt OR a men’s NOTTINGHAM FOREST signed shirt.
Save the date 🏆
‼️Calling all women’s footballers and supporters ‼️we have two football events planned in June to raise money for the Maddy Cusack foundation.
Save the date!⬇️ ⬇️⬇️
MC8 women’s football 6 a side tournament.
📆 Sunday 23rd June
⌚️ 11am
📍 Castle Vale Stadium
7,370 online followers & supporters.
If you don’t already know, we’re active across Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.
Thank you!
Next stop… 8,000. ❤️
#MC8
Yesterday, we received our
@lukehortonart
piece of Maddy.. an extremely kind and talented gift Luke, thank you! 🤩
Helen, thanks so much for putting us in touch, your support has amazed us. ❤️
#MC8
This week, marks 6 months since our family announced and introduced The Maddy Cusack Foundation.
A place for us to celebrate, remember and honour Maddy, our sister, daughter, granddaughter, niece, cousin and best friend.
Nina Wilson .. “When I first moved to Sheff I didn’t know anyone.
Maddy and Ellie our team mate were the first to welcome me.
As she was the Sheffield fountain of knowledge, us 3 went for dinner so she could tell us all about where we HAD to go in Kelham.
Behind the scenes 👉🏼 Maddy being presented with her 100th appearance Sheffield United shirt.
Captured and sent in by supporter, Hana.❤️
A special moment for Mads. 💫
#MC8
“I used to say I want to be a professional footballer so I can play football with Maddy.
Now, I’m saying I’m going to be a professional footballer FOR Maddy.
We will never forget you.”
#MC8
Introducing to you, the inspiration behind The Maddy Cusack Foundation.. the lovely, Maddison. ❤️
.. from Maddison’s father, Derek - Chair of the Sheffield United Disabled and Carers Association.
This morning, we went to watch
@sammturn
cross the finish line of the Sheffield Half Marathon, running in a Sheffield United shirt with Maddy,
#8
across the back. 🫶🏼
To all our fans please join in on the 8th minute to celebrate Maddy’s life but also help support the foundation which will do great work in her memory 👏🏻🤍
As you may know, our JustGiving page was closed and reached a total of just under £5,000 during the last few months.
We have now set our most recent one LIVE for those who would like to continue their support of
@themaddycusackfoundation
. ❤️
A few photos we reflected on during our
@itvnews
tribute for Maddy earlier today.
It never mattered where we were or what we were doing. As long as we were together, as a family.. we were happy. ❤️
Moments to last a lifetime, held in our hearts.
Your biggest fans
#MC8
We’ve been asked recently how those who’d like to support us, can!
We have an active JustGiving link here 👉🏼 .
As always, we thank everyone for their continued love & effort to keep Maddy’s legacy alive. ❤️
#MC8
“Proud to have made 100 appearances for Sheffield United. I always give my all whenever I put on this shirt and hope there are many more to come. ❤️⚒️”
Maddy IS the LONGEST SERVING
@sufc_women
PLAYER.
@sufc_women
@sheffieldunited
Sent in by a supporter of ours, the crowd applauding Maddy at today’s SUFC game during the 8th minute.
Thank you for remembering Maddy and showing her so much love. ❤️
#MC8
Emily ..
#thelifeofmaddy
. ❤️
“I met Maddy at school and she quickly became one of my favourite people.
I loved the way she’d always have a dry comment at moments when we really needed it, and her distinctive laugh that always followed.
Wendy ..
#markedbymaddy
. 8️⃣❤️
“This was my photo Maddy took for me at the season ticket promotion shoot.
I was invited to the Sheffield United season ticket promotion video and photoshoot.
I was on my own and it was the first time that I met her.
She was so lovely.
Madison .. after surprising our other Maddison and Nevaeh with a pair of
#MC8
football boots, we did the same for a number of girls who have supported our foundation from the very beginning.
We hope you love your new boots, Madison!
Wear them for Maddy. ⚽️❤️
#MC8
@jess_rafferty_28
..
#markedbymaddy
. 8️⃣❤️
“Neve met Maddy last year and Maddy took the time to chat to Neve.
She told her all about training, when she was younger and how she started at the same age that Neve was.