LIVERPOOL’S Women’s Super League game against Aston Villa has been postponed following the death of former manager Matt Beard.
Tragic news was announced on Saturday evening that Beard had passed away at the age of 47.
And following his sudden death, Liverpool took the decision to postpone their WSL match against Aston Villa, which had been scheduled to take place at 12pm.
A club statement said: “Liverpool’s Barclays Women’s Super League fixture against Aston Villa today has been postponed.
“Following the sudden and tragic news of the passing of former LFC Women manager Matt Beard, the match at Villa Park – scheduled for 12pm BST – will not take place.
“Details of a rearrangement will be confirmed in due course.”
Burnley, whom Beard had joined in June before resigning just two months later, also announced their FA WPL Premier Division game against West Brom had also been postponed as a mark of respect.
A statement said: “Burnley Women’s match against West Bromwich Albion, which was scheduled to take place on Sunday 21st September, has been postponed.
“The postponement follows the news of Matt Beard’s passing.
“Further details regarding the fixture’s rearrangement will be confirmed in due course.”
Beard – who is survived by his wife and two kids – had a glittering career in women’s football management, winning the WSL with Liverpool twice.
Having started out with Millwall Lionesses after quitting his job as a real estate agent, he managed Chelsea, Liverpool, Boston Breakers, West Ham, Bristol City and then Liverpool again before joining Burnley earlier this year.
Tributes from across women’s football poured in for Matt following the heartbreaking news.
USWNT manager Emma Hayes, who had succeeded Beard at Chelsea, described him as “one of the best humans” and a “champion in the women’s game”.
England star Millie Bright said she was “absolutely heartbroken”.
Football commentator Jacqui Oatley said: “Matt was such a lovely man…
“Matt saw the England job pass him by multiple times. Never received the credit he deserved, in my humble opinion, as he didn’t work with big budgets.
“But regardless, he never changed from being the kind, warm, likeable soul he always was.”
It was confirmed that games which do take place today in the WSL and WSL2 would hold a minute’s silence ahead of kick-off in tribute to Beard.
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