'He left so many memories for people' - LFC Women tributes to Matt Beard

A hugely popular and influential figure within the game, Beard – who led the Reds to consecutive Women’s Super League titles in 2013 and 2014 before returning and guiding the team to promotion in 2022 – suddenly died at the weekend.

Current head coach Taylor succeeded Beard in the permanent role at LFC during the summer, having got to know the man and come up against the manager over a number of years.

And he explained his admiration for the massive legacy Beard leaves on and off the pitch.

“It’s just really devastating news. Devastating for his family and friends and especially Debbie, Harry and Ellie. All of our thoughts of course are with them at this moment,” said Taylor.

“I had a bit more insight into Matt because I used to play with his brother Mark at Sheffield United, they were very close and really supportive of each other’s journeys. It’s a huge loss and he will leave a big void.

“We have lost Matt far too young. But where we can take some solace is by thinking of the huge impact he managed to have on so many people across his 47 years, a real legacy and he packed in more than a lot of people who are fortunate to be around until their old age.

“You only have to look at all the tributes that have come in from everywhere since Saturday to understand that.”

Taylor continued: “I had big shoes to fill when I came in here, and I was really supported well by Matt. He phoned me on a number of occasions.

“We’d already had a decent relationship, he was a coach that I came up against over the last four or five years – he was at various clubs; Bristol, West Ham and obviously Liverpool. I loved my duels on the sidelines with him.

“We both got animated… most of the time him more so than me! But what a guy, you never fell out with him. One of us would hold our hands up and say, ‘I got it wrong.’ And that’s what you want.

“I have to say, he’s the most enjoyable to work with – in the sense of coming up against – in my time in the women’s game. The legacy he has left, as a person firstly, because of the impression he left on the people he worked with at all of his clubs, particularly here at Liverpool. And then obviously his record as a gaffer.

“He took Liverpool to the real heights of the game. The most decorated women’s manager for Liverpool and I think that is only half of the story. The other half is the void he will leave as a person.

“He served all of his clubs really, really well and definitely left an impression. As a person, as a coach, as an employee of a club, that’s what you look for: to try to leave an impression, and you hope it’s a good one. It certainly was with Matt. He left so many memories for people to hold onto.

“Listening to some of the players who played under him, listening to Grace Fisk and the relationship she had with him – signing her first professional contract – and Ashley Hodson, who made so many appearances for Liverpool with Matt, seeing their comments on what he did for them, how they felt, it speaks volumes.”

The club has been mourning Beard’s passing since Saturday, with Sunday’s scheduled WSL fixture for Liverpool at Aston Villa postponed as a result.

Taylor and his squad came together at the AXA Melwood Training Centre on Monday and held a minute’s silence as a mark of respect before their session.

Acknowledgements also took place at the Reds’ U21s’ match on Sunday and further tributes are planned ahead of the men’s team’s Carabao Cup tie against Southampton at Anfield on Tuesday.

LFC Women managing director O’Boyle added: “On behalf of everyone at Liverpool Football Club, I’d just like to extend our greatest condolences to Matt’s family; his wife Debbie, his children Harry and Ellie, and his wider family and friends.

“It has been a really sad time for everyone. You have seen how the club and football have come together, and we extend our sympathies to Matt’s family and friends at this time.

“Matt has been an iconic figure in the women’s game. Obviously winning two WSL titles with Liverpool and then also getting promoted from the Championship up to the WSL. You can see over the years the success he has brought to the club.

“And not just the success on the pitch, the success off the pitch as well in terms of the people, the players, the staff, colleagues within the game – you can see how much love and joy he brought to Liverpool, the football club and also to women’s football and wider football.

“Not just here at Liverpool, you can see how deeply everyone has been moved by it within the wider football community – players, staff, colleagues at other clubs – the support we’ve had here and hopefully Matt’s family have had as well.

“And also for fans, you’ve seen how much of an iconic figure he was for the fans too, in terms of the relationship he had with supporters, not just at Liverpool but other clubs as well.”