A Family Loss: Grace Fisk’s Heartfelt Tribute to the Unforgettable Matt Beard

The recent passing of former Liverpool Women manager Matt Beard sent a profound shockwave through the football community, leaving behind a void that still feels raw. For the players who worked alongside him, particularly those he guided at Liverpool, the grief is intensely personal. Captain Grace Fisk has now offered a deeply moving tribute on behalf of the Liverpool FC Women squad, speaking to a loss that, in her words, remains impossible to fully comprehend.

“Hearing about the loss of Beardy was devastating news and something that we could never have imagined,” Fisk shared, reflecting the collective heartache felt across the club. She emphasized that Beard was far more than a typical manager, holding a truly “special place in all of our hearts” and standing apart from any coach she had previously worked under. Beard had an extraordinary ability to forge deep, genuine connections, building relationships that transcended the professional contract. “He treated us like family and we treated him like family,” she affirmed.

For Fisk herself, Beard’s influence was monumental, spanning not just her time at Liverpool but her entire professional trajectory. She openly credits him for shaping her career from its early stages. “I’ve known him for many years and he’s pretty much the reason why I am where I am today,” she stated. Beard was instrumental in bringing her to West Ham United and subsequently convincing her to join the ranks at Liverpool, essentially carving out her career path. Fisk explained that Beard possessed a rare, magnetic quality: “You only needed one or two conversations with the man and he had you, completely invested and trusting of what he said.”

The essence of Matt Beard, according to his captain, lay in his remarkable character and warmth. This fundamental human quality was, she stressed, the best part of who he was. Players who signed under him inherently knew they were getting a manager who would always look after them. This care extended far beyond tactical briefings and match day preparations. Beard was known for his genuine interest in the personal lives of his players, showing an unparalleled level of commitment to them as individuals.

“Football aside, he was always asking: ‘How’s your family? How are your dogs? You watch the Millwall game?’” Fisk recalled. He integrated himself into their lives, caring about their well-being, their pets, and even their favorite teams. He was, she concluded, “just so much more to people than a football manager usually is.” He was a loving, gentle presence who made everyone around him feel valued and understood.

Fisk noted the rarity of a football manager being so universally loved by so many players. Beard coached hundreds of athletes and interacted with countless more, yet he had an uncanny “way of drawing people to him.” This unique warmth allowed him to balance his demanding professional side with a deep empathy. On the sidelines, he was intensely competitive, known for being “so loud, rowdy and shouting your ears off one minute.” Yet, just twenty minutes later, he would be joking about it with the very player he had been chastising.

“He just had this warmth about him and he cared so much about people,” Fisk said. If a player was having a poor training session or struggling through a slump, Beard had the emotional intelligence to lighten the burden, making them feel like their worries were “just silly.” This ability to manage pressure while nurturing confidence was the special effect he had on everyone he encountered. The sheer number of tributes from individuals who never even played under him—but who simply admired his influence on the women’s game—tells the complete story of his enduring legacy.

In closing, Fisk offered her deepest condolences to the family, acknowledging the unimaginable difficulty of their loss: “I can’t express how much my thoughts are with Debbie, Harry, Ellie and the rest of the family at this incredibly difficult time.” Matt Beard leaves behind a trophy cabinet, yes, but more importantly, he leaves behind a countless number of players and friends who will forever remember him not for the wins, but for the profound, unconditional care he shared.