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Liverpool’s club captain, Grace Fisk, has paid a touching tribute to her former head coach Matt Beard.
The world of football was hit by hard by the tragic loss of Matt Beard this week and Fisk knew the manager better than almost anyone.
Grace Fisk pays tribute to ‘special’ Matt Beard
Having played under Beard at two different clubs, Grace Fisk was one of the players hit hardest by his loss.
“Hearing about the loss of Beardy was devastating news and something that we could never have imagined.” Fisk said in a statement. “He held a special place in all of our hearts and was different to any other manager I’ve worked under.
“He treated us like family and we treated him like family. I’ve known him for many years and he’s pretty much the reason why I am where I am today.
“He was the reason I went to West Ham and the reason why I came to Liverpool, so he’s pretty much carved out my whole career. You only needed one or two conversations with the man and he had you, completely invested and trusting of what he said.”
Fisk was announced as Reds captain at the start of the new season.
The defender signed for Beard’s West Ham in 2019 before following the manager to Liverpool in 2023.
“His impact is incomparable because he’s led so many clubs and people to where they are today. He packed so much in and had so many experiences and special moments, winning trophies and other accolades.” Fisk continued.
“He’s gone far too soon but what he achieved in his time and the mark that he’s left on the game is special.
“The mark he’s left on the people that he met and the mark he’ll leave on me, on us Liverpool girls and all the other girls he’s coached is some legacy and he’ll never ever be forgotten for what he’s done for everyone.”
Fisk’s full statement can be found on Liverpool’s official website.
The Reds will pay tribute to Beard in the matchday programme for their League Cup game against Sunderland on Wednesday. Heartfelt messages such as Fisk’s will be included in the tribute on what will be an emotional night.
