A crowdfunder set up to support the family of the late Matt Beard has raised more than £40,000 so far.
The initial target was £5,000, to help his wife and children with funeral costs and immediate expenses of the cost of living.
The page was set up by broadcaster Jacqui Oatley, who knew Matt for many years, covering his career in both England and the NWSL, where he coached Boston Breakers.
She launched the page on Sunday afternoon, posting on social media: “This is such a painful time for everyone who knew Matt Beard. If friends or supporters wish to ease the burden of funeral costs, etc, here’s a way to support Matt’s wife Debbie as she and the kids attempt to process the sudden loss of this lovely man.”
Although many donors have remained anonymous and chosen to keep private the amount of money they have given, many well-known names from the world of women’s football are listed on there.
They include former West Ham United Women chairman Jack Sullivan, who is listed as donating £5,000, former player turned pundit Eniola Aluko, Ireland coach Carla Ward, Charlton Athletic head coach Karen Hills, and former Arsenal head coach Pedro Martinez Losa.
“Sleep well, gaffer”
Many players – current and retired – are also listed. Fans of teams coached by Beard and fans of teams who played against him have donated, as have journalists and media representatives.
Donors have included messages of sympathy for his loved ones, and many have shared anecdotes of Beard, such as Steve Sallis, who wrote: “You coming into our school to give us extra coaching for our year 7’s in 2003 We had run out of budget. You carried on for two weeks for free.”
And a former player wrote: “I’ll miss the random voice notes of you singing ‘la la la long’ and ‘alright shank’ If only you saw how loved you are. Sleep well gaffer.”
Matt Beard: his career in football
Beard died on Saturday evening. He won two consecutive Women’s Super League titles with Liverpool in his first spell at the club, and led them to promotion from the Women’s Championship in his second stint.
He coached Chelsea when the WSL launched, and also spent time at West Ham, where he led them to the Women’s FA Cup final.
In 2021, he took interim charge of Bristol City, covering Tanya Oxtoby’s maternity leave. More recently, he was announced as head coach of third-tier Burnley, but resigned from the role after around two months in post.
