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Over $40,000 (£30,000) has been raised for the family of Matt Beard following the 47-year-old’s tragic passing last weekend.
Beard led Liverpool Women to WSL success in 2013 and 2014 and also managed Chelsea, West Ham United, and Burnley during his distinguished coaching career. His death on Saturday has shocked the world of soccer, with tributes pouring in from across the game in recent days.
England goalkeeper Hannah Hampton acknowledged Beard when accepting the Yashin Trophy at the Ballon d’Or ceremony on Monday. “The women's game, sadly, on Saturday night lost a trailblazer, Matt Beard,” she said.
“Matt was someone who cared an awful lot for the women's game before, when no one else did.
“He lit up the room when everyone was in it, and it's just a message to show that not everyone should have to go through these dark moments alone.
“Sometimes the brightest smiles in the room hide the heaviest pain, and he will be greatly missed.”
Commentator Jacqui Oatley was among those to express her grief in the wake of the devastating news. “You may have worked out by now, after seeing the heartfelt tributes from his former players, fellow managers, coaches and journalists, that Matt Beard was a very special person,” she wrote on X.
Oatley has since launched a Just Giving page to raise funds for Beard’s family to cover the funeral costs. The initial target of $6,750 (£5,000) was quickly reached, and as of Tuesday morning, the total stands at nearly $43,000 (£32,000).
“On Saturday September 20th 2025, the wonderful and much loved football manager Matt Beard suddenly lost his life,” wrote Oatley on the Just Giving page.
“While Matt's wife Debbie and children, Harry and Ellie, attempt to navigate the shock of this heartbreaking tragedy, we wanted to help Debbie with the immediate stress of funeral fees and the cost of living.
“All donations will go directly to Matt's family, helping them to cover essential costs during this incredibly difficult time.”
Fara Williams was among those to pay tribute to Beard over the weekend, with TV host Alex Scott stepping in live on TV after the former Lioness became too overwhelmed to continue speaking.
In a statement on Saturday, Liverpool said: “Matt was not only an extremely committed and successful manager, he was also a person of real integrity and warmth, who will always be remembered with genuine fondness by everyone he worked with at the club.”
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