Maddy Cusack: Memorial match for Sheffield United player 'bittersweet'

Footballer Maddy Cusack played for teams including Birmingham City and Aston Villa, but she referred to West Hallam as her "real club".

She was a member of the junior squad as a child - one of two female players at the time.

So it seemed fitting for the small team to stage a memorial game in honour of the Sheffield United midfielder, who died last year aged 27.

Former team-mates, childhood friends, and Maddy's brother Richard were among those who took part in Saturday's charity match in Ilkeston, Derbyshire.

Many of them hadn't stepped on a pitch in years but wanted to get involved.

Maddy's sister Olivia says it was heart-warming to see the number of Maddy's former team-mates and friends who turned up.

"I can't believe the amount that have come back and wanted to do it," she tells BBC Newsbeat.

"A lot of them don't play football now and haven't put their boots on for a good few years."

But, for Maddy's family, the game was still tough.

"It is difficult because you're programmed to kind of see her on the pitch and look out for her - especially for my brother playing today," Olivia says.

Olivia says it's "tricky watching football in general" for her now - and she says the first women's match she watched following her sister's death was particularly difficult.

"You often kind of forget, and you're often looking at blonde ponytails... a lot of them look like her from behind," she says.

But, despite the difficult memories football might bring, Olivia says it's worth it.

"Things like this, it's really important that we do it because it spreads awareness," she says.

"And it reminds everybody of Maddy, and it keeps her legacy alive.

"It's very emotional, but you just kind of have to put that to one side and think about why you're here and why it's so important."

The match was in aid of The Maddy Cusack foundation, set up by her family to continue her legacy "by supporting and making a difference within the world of women's football".

There has been no official explanation of how Maddy died, but her family have spoken out about the pressures faced by female players.

In January the Football Association (FA) announced its own investigation, which follows an external investigation found no evidence of wrongdoing at Sheffield United.

Her family is waiting for an inquest - a court hearing to establish the circumstances surrounding her death - to resume.

One of the players who isn't a regular was Maddy's brother, Richard, who also found the day difficult.

"It's been very hard actually, today, to see so many people from our childhood and faces you associate with happy times, but ultimately we're here because she's no longer here with us," he says.

"Which is sad, isn't it? So yeah, it's kind of almost conflicted.

"It's a happy day today. Lots of smiles on faces - everyone's enjoying themselves. But ultimately for me, the reason why we're here is tragic, isn't it?"

He says other players "jumped at the chance" to be involved.

"They've been brilliant and the support that we've had... there was no question of whether they wanted to do it or not," he says.

"Maddy was such an inspiration within Ilkeston."

Harry Cooke was another player who decided to take part.

He played on the same West Hallam juniors team until Maddy had to leave due to FA rules at the time preventing girls and boys from playing together.

"It was quite uncommon for a boys team like us to have to have girls playing for us.

"So you'd turn up, and the other lads would see a girl on our team and it was a bit of a shock.

"And she always shocked them and everyone else who was watching with with how good she was."

Similar to Richard, Harry also described the day as being filled with conflicting emotions.

"It's amazing to see everyone come together," he says.

"Obviously, it's bittersweet because this is the reason we're all coming back together.

"Maddy would have loved to be here today."

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