The family of Matt Beard, the former Liverpool Women’s manager who passed away in September last year at the age of 47, have spoken publicly about the heartbreaking final moments before his death, with his brother Mark revealing the last message the pair exchanged.

Beard was found at his Flintshire home and later died in hospital from a brain injury. His death sent shockwaves through the women’s football community. He is survived by his wife Debbie, son Harry, daughter Ellie and stepson Scott.

The Final Text That Has Stayed With His Family

Speaking to the BBC, Mark Beard described sitting by his brother’s hospital bedside for five days without leaving. He recalled the last message Matt sent him that evening, expressing his love, and described playing Millwall songs to him through the night. He said he was grateful the whole family had the chance to say goodbye, but expressed deep sorrow that his brother may not have known how loved he truly was in his final moments.

Bullying Claims Cast Shadow Over Burnley

At a pre-inquest review hearing, Debbie alleged that Matt had been bullied during his time at Burnley, describing his departure from the club as the catalyst for a serious decline in his mental health. She said he was prevented from speaking to Leicester City about a move, was placed on gardening leave and was not allowed to say goodbye to his players. Matt recorded a video before his death naming Burnley chairman Alan Pace and wanting his account heard in court. Burnley have not commented publicly on the circumstances of his exit.

A Legacy That Will Not Be Forgotten

Beard won back-to-back WSL titles with Liverpool in 2013 and 2014 and also managed Chelsea, West Ham and the Boston Breakers. He will be inducted into the WSL Hall of Fame. Senior coroner John Gittins has invited Burnley FC to become an interested party in the ongoing inquest proceedings.

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Manchester City Women edged past Liverpool 1-0 at the Joie Stadium on Sunday thanks to a stoppage-time header from centre back Rebecca Knaak, whose intervention kept City firmly in control of the WSL title race.

Khadija Shaw and Kerolin both spurned golden opportunities before Knaak delivered when it mattered most, with goalkeeper Jennifer Falk unable to keep the ball out despite it being far from a powerful effort.

Result: Manchester City Women 1-0 Liverpool FC Women 

Venue: Joie Stadium, Manchester 

Competition: Women’s Super League

Goalkeeper and Defence

Ayaka Yamashita (6/10): Had very little to do for long stretches but produced a strong early save when called upon. Solid if unspectacular.

Kerstin Casprij (6/10): Defensively disciplined and offered attacking presence throughout. Grew into the game as it progressed.

Jade Rose (6/10): Regularly mopped up when City were caught out in behind. Dependable without being spectacular.

Rebecca Knaak (7/10): Had some uncomfortable defensive moments early on but wrote her name into City folklore with a match-winning header deep into added time.

Alex Greenwood (7/10): City’s most commanding defender throughout. Made crucial interventions during Liverpool’s best spells and delivered the corner that led to the winning goal.

Midfield and Attack

Yui Hasegawa (6/10): Came under real pressure from Denise O’Sullivan and lost the ball in some key moments, though her passing remained generally tidy.

Sam Coffey (5/10): Struggled to impose herself on the game and lost too many individual duels across the 90 minutes.

Kerolin (5/10): Showed directness and good movement but should have scored when played clean through by Shaw.

Aoba Fujino (6/10): Not everything came off but she remained a persistent threat and put in solid defensive work throughout.

Khadija Shaw (5/10): A frustrating afternoon for the Jamaica international. Wasted City’s clearest chances and was too wasteful on a day they could not afford such profligacy.

Lauren Hemp (7/10): City’s standout performer by some distance. Created the majority of their best opportunities and was a constant problem for Liverpool’s backline.

Subs and Manager

Mary Fowler (N/A): Introduced in the final five minutes with the result secured.

Laura Coombs (N/A): Made a late appearance following the announcement of her retirement from football. A fitting send-off moment.

Andree Jeglertz (5/10): Was slow to make changes and nearly paid a heavy price for it. The win was deserved on balance, but his tactical decisions lacked decisiveness throughout.

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Manchester City moved to the brink of the Women’s Super League title after snatching all three points against Liverpool through a Rebecca Knaak winner deep into stoppage time.

Manager Andree Jeglertz acknowledged his side are far from their fluent best right now, but insists the mentality within his squad is what separates them when it matters most.

Knaak Delivers in the 91st Minute

With the game seemingly heading toward a goalless draw, Knaak stepped up with a 91st minute strike to hand City a crucial 1-0 victory at the Joie Stadium. It was the kind of winning goal that champions produce and it keeps City firmly in the driving seat as the season enters its final stretch.

Liverpool were organised and pressed City hard throughout, but ultimately could not find a way through.

Jeglertz Honest About Where His Side Stand

The City boss made no attempt to dress up the performance, openly admitting that his team are not playing the football they are capable of. What he pointed to instead was the relentless work ethic and refusal to accept defeat that runs through every member of his squad.

He highlighted how the group has worked tirelessly since July and that resilience, rather than flair, is currently their greatest weapon.

What City Need to Clinch the Title

The mathematics are now straightforward for City heading into the final day. A win against West Ham will confirm them as WSL champions regardless of what happens elsewhere.

Alternatively, Arsenal dropping points before that fixture would also hand City the title. Everything remains in Jeglertz’s hands, and with the mental strength this squad has shown all season, few would bet against them getting the job done.

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