Tragic Maddy Cusack's spirit was 'allowed to be broken by football': Sheffield United star's family confirm club probe into circumstances surrounding her death in September aged just 27

11 months ago 53

The family of tragic Maddy Cusack have released a heart-breaking tribute to her, while also confirming that Sheffield United have begun an investigation into events they believe may have contributed to her death.

Cusack was vice-captain of the Blades, the club’s longest serving player and their first to reach 100 appearances for the women’s team.

The 27-year-old died at her home in Horsley, Derbyshire, on September 20.

At the time, Derbyshire Police said there were no suspicious circumstances surrounding her passing.

But her family have now published a speech read by her mother, Deborah, at a memorial service in October, which has also been shared on the Maddy Cusack Foundation JustGiving page.

Maddy Cusack's family have confirmed there is an investigation into the circumstances surrounding her death

Cusack's mum (left) has spoken of her heartbreak following her daughter's tragic passing

Cusack passed away at her home in Derbyshire back in September, aged 27

Tributes were paid to Cusack, with fans placing her No8 shirt and flowers at Bramall Lane

The tribute read: ‘My beautiful daughter, Madeleine. The saddest and most utterly heart-breaking 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, taking her away from me.’

Alongside the speech, the family added a supplementary statement which reveals Sheffield United have agreed to appoint a firm to carry out an investigation into events surrounding Maddy’s death.

The statement read: ‘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.

‘Maddy was a happy-go-lucky, care-free girl with everything to live for and last Christmas could be described as being at her happiest.

‘This all changed gradually from February this year.

The statement from Cusack's family insists she did not suffer from long-standing mental health issues

Football paid its respects to Cusack, with players holding a minute's silence before matches

CUSACK FAMILY FULL STATEMENT

My beautiful daughter, Madeleine.

Motherhood was very challenging for me. After several heartaches, my beloved Richard was born in November 1994. Eleven months later on the 28th October 1995, at 8:57pm, along came my beloved Madeleine.

As I held her for the first time, I couldn't believe she was mine, all mine. I felt the luckiest woman alive, two miracles in one year. In May 1999, my beloved Olivia was born and finally in 2005 my beloved Felicia, our family was complete.

My husband and I prided ourselves on running a close, kind, forgiving, encouraging, supportive and above all.. a loving ship. Creating an unbreakable bond, family is everything. Madeleine's love for football began aged 18 months on Mablethorpe beach where she kicked her first ever football.

She played her first match aged 5 for Ilkeston Ladies. She was by far the youngest player on the pitch winning what became the first of many medals. My beautiful daughter, Madeleine. From an early age, Madeleine displayed a unique spirit, an indomitable spirit.

She was dedicated, driven and single minded in all that she did. This in turn lead to great success both on and off the pitch. A spirit which we as parents guarded and nurtured throughout her childhood, into adulthood. Madeleine ’ s love of sport grew with her.

She represented her Schools at all levels and disciplines, determined to always win the gold medal. She played cricket, was a member of Amber Valley Athletics Club and also enjoyed horse riding with her sisters and cousins, Emily and Rosie.

I supported and watched Madeleine in every competition she ever entered. I never missed a thing. As a family we clocked up thousands of miles through training and watching nearly every football match she played, even taking in Norway where she represented England in the European Championships. Bursting with pride doesn’t come close.

Madeleine loved us watching her as much as we did. My beautiful daughter, Madeleine. As Maddy entered adulthood, she became a compassionate, loyal, talented and determined young woman.

Alongside her footballing success, she gained a first class honours degree in Marketing, PR and Advertising. Her first permanent role was with the Derby Runner, that of the Social Media Coordinator.

She loved her role and her colleagues. Her kind boss, Rob Jefferies and Elaine Walker became firm friends. In 2019, Madeleine joined Sheffield United Football Club, making the number 8 shirt her own.

Alongside playing, she worked at the Sheffield United Community Foundation with Rob Jenkinson and his team. Maddy later joined Eoin Doyle ’ s marketing team. She really enjoyed both of those jobs and working closely with all of her colleagues.

Maddy flourished both on and off the pitch, under the guidance of Neil Redfearn whom she admired greatly. My beautiful daughter, Madeleine. She fell in love with Sheffield United, the fans and the city of Sheffield. Maddy rang me one morning as she arrived at work, having parked underneath the poster of her that adorned the side of Bramall Lane.

The buzz and pride she felt from that was palpable. Maddy became Miss Sheffield United and adored every minute of it. This was her home, the place she envisioned she would hang up her boots one day.

Everything ended in #UTB. Our life without our Madicat is unthinkable, unimaginable and unbearable. We shall look for her in every single day, for the rest of our lives. I stand here before you today beyond proud of everything she achieved, achieving more in 27 years than most people do in a lifetime.

The love shared is beyond precious. I am very grateful to have been her Mum. Madeleine knew how much we loved her and we know how much she loved us. All I can do now is carry her inside like I did once before, except now she will have to stay in my heart forever.

What you need to understand is this.. The saddest and 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 I had so fearlessly protected was allowed to be broken. Taking her away from me.

I love you more. Your greatest fan, Mum

‘It is no secret, nor should it be, that Sheffield United 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.

‘The Maddy Cusack Foundation — Fierce, Determined and Spirited #MC8.’

Maddy also worked in the Blades’ commercial department as a marketing executive, having joined the club from Leicester in 2019.

An inquest was opened at Derby Coroner’s Court in October and adjourned.