My beautiful daughter, Madeleine.
Motherhood was quite a challenge for me. After several heartaches, my beloved Richard was born in November 1994. Eleven months later, on October 28, 1995, at 8:57 PM, my beloved Madeleine came along.
When I held her for the first time, I couldn’t believe she was mine, all mine. I felt like the luckiest woman in the world, two miracles in one year. In May 1999 my beloved Olivia was born and finally in 2005 my beloved Felicia, our family was complete.
My husband and I prided ourselves on running a close, friendly, forgiving, encouraging, supportive, and most importantly… loving ship. Creating an unbreakable bond, family is everything. Madeleine’s love of football started at the age of 18 on Mablethorpe beach, where she first played football.
She played her first match at the age of 5 for Ilkeston Ladies. She was by far the youngest player on the field and won what would be the first of many medals. My beautiful daughter, Madeleine. From an early age, Madeleine showed a unique spirit, an indomitable spirit.
She was dedicated, driven and determined in everything she did. This in turn led to great success both on and off the field. A spirit that we as parents have guarded and nurtured throughout her childhood, into adulthood. Madeleine’s love for sports grew with her.
She represented her schools at all levels and disciplines, determined to always win the gold medal. She played cricket, was a member of the Amber Valley Athletics Club and also enjoyed horse riding with her sisters and cousins, Emily and Rosie.
I supported and watched Madeleine at every competition she ever competed in. I never missed anything. As a family we covered thousands of miles training and watching almost every football match she played, even in Norway where she represented England at the European Championships. Bursting with pride doesn’t come close.
Madeleine enjoyed watching her just as much. My beautiful daughter, Madeleine. As Maddy matured, she became a compassionate, loyal, talented, and determined young woman.
In addition to her football success, she obtained a first-class degree in marketing, PR and advertising. Her first permanent role was at the Derby Runner, as Social Media Coordinator.
She loved her role and her colleagues. Her kind boss, Rob Jefferies and Elaine Walker became good friends. In 2019, Madeleine joined Sheffield United Football Club, making the number 8 shirt her own.
In addition to playing, she worked at the Sheffield United Community Foundation with Rob Jenkinson and his team. Maddy later joined Eoin Doyle’s marketing team. She really enjoyed both jobs and worked closely with all her colleagues.
Maddy flourished both on and off the field, under the guidance of Neil Redfearn, whom she greatly admired. My beautiful daughter, Madeleine. She fell in love with Sheffield United, the fans and the city of Sheffield. Maddy called me one morning when she arrived at work, having parked under the poster of hers on the side of Bramall Lane.
The excitement and pride she felt as a result was palpable. Maddy became Miss Sheffield United and loved every minute of it. This was her home, the place she imagined she would one day hang up her boots.
Everything ended in #UTB. Our life without our Madicat is unthinkable, unimaginable and unbearable. We will look for her every day for the rest of our lives. I stand before you today, beyond proud of all she has achieved, and has achieved more in 27 years than most people do in a lifetime.
The love shared is more than precious. I am very grateful to be her mother. Madeleine knew how much we loved her and we know how much she loved us. All I can do now is carry her inside like I did before, only now she will have to stay in my heart forever.
What you need to understand is this. The saddest and utterly heartbreaking reason I have to stand here today and speak to you is because of football. Starting in February this year, the indomitable, unstoppable spirit, the spirit called Maddy, the spirit I had so fearlessly protected, was allowed to be broken. Take her away from me.
I love you even more. Your biggest fan, Mom