Women’s game set to pay tribute to coach Matt Beard

This weekend women’s football will be paying tribute to former-Liverpool Women’s head coach Matt Beard one year after his death in September 2025.

Beard’s coaching career spanned three decades, the high point of which came in 2013 when he led Liverpool Women to back-to-back Women’s Super League (WSL) titles – a feat that earned him the Manager of the Year award.

In April this year, it was announced that Beard had been posthumously named to the WSL Hall of Fame to recognise his contribution to the women’s game. Liverpool also unveiled memorials to their former-coach at the club’s Melwood Training ground this month (pictured below).

Beyond Liverpool, Beard also had spells in charge of the Millwall Lionesses, Chelsea Ladies, Boston Breakers, West Ham United Women and Burnley Women.

Weekend tributes

At this weekend’s WSL and WSL 2 games supporters are being asked to contribute to a minute’s applause in the 13th minute – to mark Beard’s 2013 achievements

WSL clubs will announce the plan for the tributes on their channels prior to the weekend’s games, as well as producing social media content celebrating Beard’s life and achievements in women’s football.

The FSA is asking supporter groups to back the 13th minute tributes to Beard on the day and share any-related content on supporter-run social media accounts.

Deborah Dilworth, head of women’s football at the FSA, said: “Matt was loved and respected. Our thoughts go out to his family and friends this weekend.

“Matt’s achievements cannot be understated. Winning back-to-back titles puts him up there with the very best.

“He’s a legend of the modern women’s game and we’re delighted to be supporting tributes to him this weekend.”

Supporter-led mental health work

Since 2025, the FSA has partnered with leading national mental health charity MIND to promote mental health awareness among fans and clubs.

The #YouAreEnough campaign sees our community-owned clubs pairing up with their local MIND charity to promote mental health awareness in their local areas.

The campaign kicked off at Bury in the summer of 2025 and quickly moved on to Hereford in August, built on the work started at Dunstable FC.

The following community-owned clubs are now part of the #YAE programme, Bury, Hereford, Bilston Town, Clapton CFC, Exeter City, Bath City, Darlington, Enfield Town, East Thurrock, Grays Athletic, Hendon, Merthyr Town, Wythenshawe, FC United of Manchester, Banbury Utd, Hinkley AFC, Fisher & 1874 Northwich.

More useful links:

Alongside MIND, who make sure no-one has to face mental health challenges alone, there are many other organisations who provide support in different areas:

• Age UK – call 0800 678 1602 8am-7pm
• Alcoholics Anonymous or call 0800 9177 650
• Andy’s Man Club
• CALMzone – call 0800 585858
• Childline or call 0800 1111
• Mental Health First Aid (England)
• Mental Health First Aid (Wales)
• Mental Health Matters
• National Domestic Abuse Helpline – call 0808 2000 247
• National Gambling Helpline or call 0808 8020 133
• Samaritans – 116 123 call any time for free
• SHOUT 85258 – a text-only 24 hour confidential mental health support service – text 85258

For medical advice call the NHS on 111.