Maddy Cusack: Remember the person, not just the player, family says

Olivia and Emily often come to Maddy’s memorial bench in Scargill Park in West Hallam, Derbyshire, which is where they all grew up.

With both of their birthdays at the end of October, Emily says they’d always planned to spend them together, but “now I just come here”.

“She used to get us in trouble with my dad when we were younger,” she says.

“It was always her idea then I’d take the blame for it.”

In an inquest focusing on darker times in her life, it’s this side of Maddy that her family thinks has got lost.

Olivia, along with other members of Maddy’s family, has campaigned tirelessly since her sister’s death, setting up a foundation in her name to support aspiring female footballers.

“The foundation keeps me going,” she says. “It’s been a real lifeline to be able to continue her story.”

On Saturday, she organised a walk from Bramall Lane, Sheffield United’s ground, to near Derby where Maddy lived – a distance of almost 30 miles.

“The aim with the walk is just to do her proud,” Olivia says.

“Maddy would love that we were all challenging ourselves.”