Sheffield United paid tribute to Maddy Cusack ahead of their Women’s Championship clash with London City. 

Cusack, 27, passed away in September, and was the Blades longest serving player, having also served as a marketing executive at the Yorkshire club, before being named vice-captain earlier this year. 

Tributes poured in from around the football world for the player, who was just starting a sixth season at a club left ‘devastated’ by her death. 

Players were also seen with t-shirts bearing Cusack’s likeness on the front during the warm-ups, with a message displayed on the big screens in the corners of Bramall Lane. 

Tributes were left for Sheffield United stalwart Maddy Cusack following her death at 27

Fans left Sheffield United shirts outside Bramall Lane ahead of the clash with London City

Players warmed up in t-shirts bearing Cusack’s likeness on the front following her death

Prior to kick-off, both Championship sides and those in the ground observed an emotional moment of applause in Cusack’s honour.  

Her heartbroken brother, Richard Cusack, paid tribute following her death, tweeting: ‘My beautiful sister. May you rest in peace Maddy.’ 

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A statement on the club’s official website read: ‘Sheffield United Football Club is devastated to report the sad news of the passing of Maddy Cusack.

‘Maddy, a women’s team player since 2019 and marketing executive for the Football Club, passed away on Wednesday.

‘A respected player, Maddy, 27, last season reached the milestone of 100 appearances for Sheffield United Women.

‘Additionally, she was a valued colleague in the offices at Bramall Lane, moving over from the Sheffield United Community Foundation to the club in 2021 to help market all areas of the Blades.’

Cusack joined Sheffield United halfway through their first campaign in the women’s second tier in January 2019 and last season became the first woman to reach 100 appearances for the club.

Cusack had only signed a new contract with the Blades in July, describing the club as her ‘home’. 

Players from both Sheffield United and London City paid their own tribute to Cusack with a moment of applause

The former talented midfielder had just started her sixth season with the club being named vice-captain earlier this year