Tributes have been paid to Maddy Cusack, a Sheffield United footballer, who has died at the age of 27.
Cusack had played for the women's team since 2019, making more than 100 appearances for the club. She also worked for the club as a marketing executive.
The cause of death has not been disclosed.
Stephen Bettis, Sheffield United's chief executive, said: "This is heartbreaking news for everyone at Bramall Lane. Maddy had a unique position of being part of a number of teams at Sheffield United and was popular with everyone that she came into contact with.
Sheffield United Football Club is devastated to report the sad news of the passing of Maddy Cusack.
The Club and Maddy's family would appreciate a period of privacy and will not comment further at this sad time.
"Her personality and professionalism made her a credit to her family – she will be sadly missed. While taking in the news and moving forward, the club will offer as much support as possible to Maddy's family, friends and colleagues."
The club, who play in the Women's Championship, the second tier of women's football, said in a statement on their website: "Discussions over suitable tributes and celebrating Maddy's life will continue privately. The club and Maddy's family would appreciate a period of privacy and will not comment further at this sad time."
Cusack was the first player to reach 100 appearances for the club, where she had worked since moving over from the Sheffield United Community Foundation in 2021. She had just entered her sixth season.
Sheffield United Women have announced the death of midfielder Maddy Cusack.
Sue Campbell, the FA's director of women's football, said: "We are all devastated to learn about the passing of Maddy Cusack. On behalf of the FA, the Lionesses, the Women's Super League and the Women's Championship, our thoughts and deepest condolences are with Maddy's family, friends, teammates and everyone at Sheffield United.
"Maddy also represented England at age-group level and we will pay tribute to her at an appropriate point. We are in contact with the club and will continue to offer them our full support during this incredibly sad time."
Cusack previously played for Birmingham City. The club said: "The club are saddened to learn of the passing of former player Maddy Cusack. All of our thoughts are with Maddy's family and friends at this extremely difficult time."
Leah Williamson, the Arsenal and England player, wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter: "Sending all my love and condolences to Maddy's family at this awful time!"
The Professional Footballers' Association said the thoughts and sincere condolences of everyone at the organisation are with Maddy's family, friends and her teammates at this time.
Manchester United Women's team said: "We're deeply saddened to hear this. Sending our condolences to Maddy's loved ones and the Sheffield United family at this time. May she rest in peace."
Esha Oza currently holds the record for most centuries in WT20Is, with four centuries in the format. Explore the list of players with such century records!
Scoring a century in any form of cricket is a moment of glory, but in the fast-paced format of T20s, it gets more exciting to watch. Numerous cricketers have consistently proved themselves in this format by delivering spectacular tons.
The list goes deep as we have such power-hitters from around the globe!
Join us as we explore the list of players with most centuries in WT20Is and celebrate their glorious innings.
1. Esha Oza (4 centuries) | UAE
Esha Oza in action against Sri Lanka in Asia Cup 2024. Image | ESPNcricinfo
The current captain of UAE, Esha Oza, holds the record for most centuries in WT20Is with 4 centuries in her T20 career so far. This Indian-born cricketer made her debut in T20Is in 2018 and reached this milestone extremely fast.
She is also the fastest player from UAE to reach 1000 runs in T20Is. Her fourth century in T20Is came against Qatar in the Asia Cup qualifier, where she led her team to a brilliant victory.
Chamari Athapaththu celebrating her 113 off 66 balls against Australia in 2019. Image | ESPNcricinfo
Chamari Athapaththu, the current captain of Sri Lanka national team, holds the 2nd position in this list with her 3 centuries in WT20Is. She is one of the finest cricketers from Sri Lanka and led them to win the 2024 Asia Cup.
Chamari scored her first hundred in T20Is in 2019 against Australia. She scored the other following centuries in 2024 against Scotland and Malaysia.
Fatuma Kibasu celebrating her century in 2019. Image | Facebook
The former captain of Tanzania, Fatuma Kibasu, holds the 3rd position with her 3 centuries in WT20Is. She is the only Tanzanian woman to score a century at international level so far, and holds the highest individual score for her country in WT20Is.
Fatuma made her T20 debut in 2019 and played magnificently ever since!
Best 10 Women's Footballers in the World Right Now
Who are the best 10 women's footballers in the world right now making an impact globally? Find out who makes their way to the list with Aitana Bonmati topping the chart.
Football knows no gender, and the talented women are proving that with their breathtaking gameplay. The world of women's football is setting new standards which has made it difficult to pick the best ones.
Based on the current landscape of the sport, check out the best 10 women's footballers in the world right now.
10. Lauren James
Lauren James celebrating her goal in a match against Aston Villa in 2022. Image | Pinterest
National Team: England
Club: Chelsea
Position: Forward
Goals: 65
Lauren James is an English footballer who plays as a forward for Chelsea in the WSL. She has won the PFAWomen's Young Player of the Year award in 2022-23 for her exceptional skills at a young age.
She previously played for Arsenal and Manchester United and switched to Chelsea in 2021. She has scored a total of 58 goals in 155 appearances across all clubs.
Lauren plays a major role in the England women's team, having 7 international goals in 27 appearances for England.
Klara Bühl adding a goal to their victory of 6-0 against Morocco in FIFA World Cup 2023. Image | Pinterest
National Team: Germany
Club: Bayern Munich
Position: Forward
Goals: 92
Klara Bühl is a professional german player who plays as left winger or forward. She is 17 year old and is considered as one of the best young wingers in Europe.
She was a part of SC Freiburg for four years before joining FC Bayern Munich in 2020. Klara has scored 65 goals in 230 appearances for clubs, and 27 international goals in 65 appearances for Germany.
Salma Paralluelo after scoring a goal Atlético de Madrid Femenino in 2024. Image | Instagram
National Team: Spain
Club: FC Barcelona
Position: Forward
Goals: 99
The Spanish left winger, Salma Paralluelo, is a born champion, with all three 3 World Cups to her name. She started her career as a sprinter and holds several records in the categories of under 16 and 18.
Salma won the FIFA Women's World Cup with the Spanish senior team in 2023, the FIFA U-20 World Cup in 2020, and FIFA U-17 World Cup in 2018. She also won the U-17 UEFA U-17 Women's Championship in 2018.
Salma has scored 85 goals in 125 club appearances and 14 goals in 35 appearances for Spain.
Linda Caicedo after scoring a goal against Germany in FIFA Women's World Cup 2023. Image | FIFPro
National Team: Colombia
Club: Real Madrid
Position: Forward
Goals: 46
Linda Caicedo is a Colombian footballer who has reached commendable milestones at a young age of 20. She plays as a forward for Real Madrid, and has been associated with football legends like Lionel Messi, Jude Bellingham, Trinity Rodman for commercial ad campaigns.
She played for América Cali and Deportivo Cali before joining Real Madrid, and scored a total of 33 goals in 92 appearances across all of them.
Linda has scored 13 goals to her name in 42 appearances for Colombia.
#FU17WWC Bronze Boot🥾 & Silver Ball ⚽ winner Linda Caicedo makes her senior #FIFAWWC debut 🫡
Alessia Russo after scoring a goal in a Arse's 4-1 WSL win over Chelsea in 2023. Image | Facebook
National Team: England
Club: Arsenal
Position: Forward
Goals: 87
Alessia Russo is a professional footballer who plays for England and the WSL club Arsenal as a forward. She has exceptional records, including being awarded the player of the month and goal of the month for Arsenal.
Alessia is known for her aggressive gameplay and match-winning abilities. She played for other clubs like Chelsea and Manchester United before, and was also the top scorer twice.
Her club goals count to 66 in 138 appearances across all clubs and 21 in 49 appearances for England.
Khadija Shaw in action for Manchester City in a WSL match against Liverpool. Image | womenfootball.blog
National Team: Jamaica
Club: Manchester City
Position: Forward
Goals: 182
The all-time top scorer, Khadija Shaw, is one of the world's best strikers from Jamaica, who also plays as a forward for Manchester City.
Khadija holds the record for the most hat-tricks in the history of the Women's Super League. She scored 125 goals in her 144 club appearances and 57 goals in 44 appearances for Jamaica!
She was named The Guardian Footballer of the Year in 2018 as a tribute to her legendary contributions in football.
4. Alexia Putellas
Alexia putellas in action for Spain in a football match. Image | Business Insider
National Team: Spain
Club: FC Barcelona
Position: Midfielder
Goals: 260
Alexis Putellas is a Spanish midfielder or forward who currently plays for Barcelona. She is the captain of Barcelona and has won all the individual European football awards.
Alexis is widely appreciated for her style of play and aura. She has previously played for Espanyol and Levante, having a total of 226 goals in 515 appearances across all clubs.
She scored 34 goals for the Spanish National Team in 130 appearances. Alexis also won Ballon d'Or Féminin for two consecutive years in 2021 and 2022.
3. Caroline Graham Hansen
Caroline Graham Hansen during a match playing for Barcelona. Image | BBC
National Team: Norway
Club: FC Barcelona
Position: Winger
Goals: 225
Caroline Graham Hansen is a Norwegian footballer who is one of the best wingers in the world. She plays for Barcelona and has won prestigious awards like Statoil Talent Award of the Year and others.
Hansen has exceptional dribbling and passing skills, which never fail to amaze the fans. She played for other clubs like Stabæk and Wolfsburg and scored 180 goals in all 404 appearances.
Her goals count to 45 in 95 international caps for Norway.
Sophia Smith celebrating her goal against Vietnam in World Cup Opener in 2023. Image | The Today Show
National Team: USA
Club: Portland Thorns
Position: Forward
Goals: 74
Sophia Smith is an American footballer who plays as a forward for the team. She plays for the NWSL club Portland Thorns and was named the most valuable player for them, along with the Golden Boot, in 2022.
Sophia scored 3 goals in the Paris Olympics 2024 for the US National Team. She earned her national team cap in 2020 and became the youngest player to debut for the US Women's National Team.
She scored 50 goals in 95 appearances for Portland Thorns FC and 24 goals in 58 appearances for the USA.
Her contributions in the world of football makes her way to the list of best 10 women's footballers in the world right now.
Aitana Bonmatí celebrates after scoring a goal for Barcelona in the Champions League Final in 2024. Image | Pinterest
National Team: Spain
Club: FC Barcelona
Position: Midfielder
Goals: 134
Aitana Bonmatí is a Spanish footballer who plays as a midfielder for FC Barcelona. She is one of the greatest of all time in football history. Her elegant style of play is a treat to the eyes.
The Spanish National team captain won the Ballon d'Or Féminin, Laureus World Sports Award, and Golden Player Woman Award for her incredible 2023 season for Spain and Barcelona. She is the first women's player to win The Best, Ballon d'Or, UEFA Player of the Year and World Cup Golden Ball in the same year
Mary Earps celebrating a goal save during a match for England. Image | FIFPro
The legendary English goalkeeper, Mary Earps, is a name honorary mention for this list. She plays for PSG and is considered to have the safest pair of hands when it comes to football. Earps' legendary performance in the UEFA Euro 2022 will always be remembered in the history of English football, as they lifted the European Championship.
Earps played for a total of 11 clubs, including Manchester United and became the first goalkeeper to reach 50 clean sheets in the WSL.
Earps received the Golden Glove Award for her record-breaking 14 clean sheets in 2024 for Manchester United. She is a two-time FIFA Best and Golden Glove winner.
Her iconic contributions deserves a special place in the list of best 10 women's footballers in the world right now.
Most English Top Flight Titles: Liverpool equal with United
With their 20th top-flight title, Liverpool FC have now equalled Manchester United for the record of most English top flight titles. Here are the other teams on the list.
With their 20th top-flight title, Liverpool FC have now equalled Manchester United for the record of most English top flight titles. Through the eras of English football, Manchester United and Liverpool FC have made themselves one of the most successful clubs in the league's history.
Founded in 1888, the English Football League started as the Football League, the oldest football league in the world. In 1892, the Football League First Division kicked off and continued till 1991 as the top flight football league in England.
Later, in 1992, the Premier League was created and replaced the Football League First Division as the top flight football league in England.
In this article, we will discuss all the teams with the most titles in England's top flight football. Till now, 24 clubs have been able to lift the top flight title.
10. Sheffield United, West Bromwich Albion, Ipswich Town, Nottingham Forest, Leicester City | 1 title
Leicester City won the Premier League title in 2015-16 season.
Sheffield United, West Bromwich Albion, Ipswich Town, Nottingham Forest and Leicester City have been crowned the champions of English football once. Sheffield United won the league in 1897–98, the tenth season of the Football League First Division. Since then, they have roamed between the first division and second division leagues.
West Bromwich Albion won the league in 1919–20, right after the First World War. Ipswich Town won the competition in 1961–62, while Nottingham Forest won in 1977–78.
Leicester City are the only team to win the league in the Premier League when they lifted the Premier League in a miraculous 2015–16 season.
9. Preston North End, Burnley, Portsmouth, Tottenham Hotspur, Derby County | 2 titles
Preston North End, the first ever champion of the Football League, won the title in back-to-back seasons. This made them the first ever team to win a football league and also defend it. They won the league in the 1888–89 and 1889–90 seasons. Preston now plays in the EFL Championship.
Burnley, who recently got promoted to the Premier League this season, won the league twice in the 1920–21 and 1959–60 seasons. Portsmouth won the title first time in the 1948-49 season and then defended the crown in the next season as well.
Spurs, one of the big six of English football, won the league in the 1950–51, 1960–61 seasons. Since then, they have not been able to win the league again. Derby County won the title in the 1971–72 and 1974–75 seasons.
Blackburn Rovers, one of the founding members of the Football League, won the league twice in the 1911–12 and 1913–14 seasons. Then, they were crowned the Premier League champions in 1994–95, when Alan Shearer brought them to glory with 34 goals. But in the next season, they were relegated to the second division.
Huddersfield Town were one of the stronger teams in English football, winning the First Division in three back-to-back seasons in 1923–24, 1924–25 and 1925–26. But, after many promotions and relegations, they now play in the third division in England.
Wolves, who are now competing in the Premier League, won the first-division title in the 1953–54, 1957–58, and 1958–59 seasons.
Leeds United, who also won promotion to the Premier League, won the first division in 1968–69, 1973–74, and 1991–92 seasons. They were the last champions of the Football League First Division before the Premier League took over.
7. Sheffield Wednesday, Newcastle United | 4 titles
Sheffield Wednesday, the second-oldest professional association football club in England, have won the league four times and are one of the most successful clubs in English football. They won the league in the 1902–03, 1903–04, 1928–29, and 1929–30 seasons.
Newcastle United, one of the biggest names in English football, have spent 93 years in the top tier of English football. They and Sheffield Wednesday won the league in back-to-back seasons. Newcastle won in 1904–05, 1906–07, 1908–09, 1926–27.
6. Sunderland, Chelsea FC | 6 titles
Chelsea FC won their 6th top flight title in 2016-17 season.
Newcastle United's arch-rival, Sunderland, are one of the most underrated teams in tournament history. They were also the first winners of the Football League First Division in the 1892 season. Nicknamed Black Cats, they won the First Division titles in 1891–92, 1892–93, 1894–95, 1901–02, 1912–13, 1935–36.
Chelsea, one of the most prominent names in European football. Before the Premier League era started, Chelsea had only won the First Division league once in the 1954–55 season. But, after Roman Abramovich's takeover, Chelsea evolved as one of the strongest teams in the Premeier League.
In the Premier League era, they won the title in 2004–05, 2005–06, 2009–10, 2014–15, and 2016–17.
Although they have not won the league title in the Premier League era, Aston Villa are still one of the most successful clubs in England's top-tier football. In fact, it was William McGregor, the Aston Villa director, who founded the Football League in 1888, which was the World's First Football League as mentioned earlier.
Not only that, George Ramsay, who was Villa manager in 1886, was the world's first professional football manager.
With 7 titles in 1893–94, 1895–96, 1896–97, 1898–99, 1899–1900, 1909–10, and 1980–81, they still remain one of the oldest clubs to remain in the top-flight football.
4. Everton | 9 titles
Everton team with 1986-87 English First Division League.
Another club with great history and culture that lost the battle in modern football. Although Everton have stayed in the First Division of Football for more than 122 years now, is one of the three clubs to be a founding member of the Football League and Premier League.
Everton won the First Division titles in 1890–91, 1914–15, 1927–28, 1931–32, 1938–39, 1962–63, 1969–70, 1984–85, and 1986–87 seasons. This makes them the club with the fourth most English Top Flight titles.
3. Manchester City | 10 titles
Manchester City with their Premier League title in 2023-24 season.
Since then, they have won 6 Premier League titles, out of which four came in consecutive seasons from 2020 to 2024, which is a record in English top flight football. Before Pep Guardiola, it was Roberto Mancini, who led them to Premier League success in the 2011-12 season, the club's first league title in 45 years.
Till now, Manchester City have won 10 titles in top-flight English football. Their success came in 1936–37, 1967–68, 2011–12, 2013–14, 2017–18, 2018–19, 2020–21, 2021–22, 2022–23, and 2023–24.
Arsenal squad with their 2003-04 Premier League title.
One of the most loved and historical clubs in England, Arsenal, comes in the list as the third club with the most English top-flight titles. They were the second most successful club in the top flight before Manchester United went past them in the Premier League era.
From 1931 to 1938, they won the First Division League five times in 8 seasons, which made them one of the most loved and feared clubs in England. In the Premier League era, they won the league three times in 1997–98, 2001–02, and 2003–04.
Arsenal were crowned the champions of England in 1930–31, 1932–33, 1933–34, 1934–35, 1937–38, 1947–48, 1952–53, 1970–71, 1988–89, 1990–91, 1997–98, 2001–02, 2003–04.
Liverpool FC after wining the 2024-25 Premier League title.
After Liverpool FC's success in the Premier League 2024-25, they have now equalled Manchester United's record for most English Top Flight titles with 20 titles.
Both Liverpool and Manchester United are among the most popular football teams in World football. Liverpool were ahead of Manchester United in terms of top-flight titles, but Manchester United's resurgence under Sir Alex Ferguson left them behind.
Manchester United with their Premier League title in 2012-13 season.
In the Premier League era, Manchester United won the most titles. Their 13 Premier League titles are yet to be matched by any club, although they won the league title last time in the 2012-13 season.
Meantime, in the Premier League era, Liverpool have only won the league title twice, in the 2019-20 and 2024-25 seasons.
Manchester United have won the league in 1907–08, 1910–11, 1951–52, 1955–56, 1956–57, 1964–65, 1966–67, 1992–93, 1993–94, 1995–96, 1996–97, 1998–99, 1999–2000, 2000–01, 2002–03, 2006–07, 2007–08, 2008–09, 2010–11, 2012–13.
Meantime, Liverpool FC won the league in 1900–01, 1905–06, 1921–22, 1922–23, 1946–47, 1963–64, 1965–66, 1972–73, 1975–76, 1976–77, 1978–79, 1979–80, 1981–82, 1982–83,1983–84, 1985–86, 1987–88, 1989–90, 2019–20, 2024–25.
Deandra Dottin's iconic century off 38 balls is the fastest in the history of Women's T20Is. Here are the phenomenal top 10 fastest centuries in women's T20Is.
Centuries in T20Is are a treat to watch. Over the years, some incredible cricketing talents across the globe have set the bar high with their records. This article celebrates the art of power-hitting by logging the top 10 fastest centuries in Women's cricket.
Check out the Top 10s that left the fans and bowlers amazed in the competitive T20 format.
10. Hayley Matthews | (53 balls) vs Australia, 2023
Hayley Matthews celebrating her fastest T20 century against Australia in 2023. Image | ESPNcricinfo
The West Indies captain Hayley Matthews scored a crucial ton in their record-breaking run chase against Australia. She is known for excelling in the T20 format. They succeeded in defeating Australia on their home soil with the help of this knock in 2023.
Matthews has scored 2 centuries in T20Is so far. It took her only 53 balls for this, which makes it one of the fastest centuries in Women's cricket.
9. Meg Lanning | (53 balls) vs Ireland, 2014
Meg Lanning, the former Australian captain, holds the ninth position with her timeless century against Ireland in the Women's T20 World Cup, 2014. Lanning is one of the finest cricketers of all time, with seven World Cup titles under her name.
She scored 125 runs off 65 balls in this innings and was also the top run-scorer of the tournament.
The former captain of the Nepal Women's Team, Rubina Chhetry, scored a record-breaking century in a match of ACC Women's Premier Cup against Maldives in 2024. She hit 10 fours and 5 sixes, leading the team to a total of 227 runs on the board.
Her century off 52 balls paved the way to achieve one of the highest totals of Women's T20Is by an Asian country.
7. Danni Wyatt-Hodge | (52 balls) vs India, 2018
Danni Wyatt-Hodge after her record-breaking ton against India in 2018. Image | BBC
The attacking opener of England Women's Team, Danni Wyatt-Hodge, scored a magnificent century from just 52 balls against India in 2018. She’s widely known for her composed batting style in this format, providing a headstart to the team.
Wyatt helped England reach the milestone of one of the highest successful run chases in the history of Women's T20Is with her vital knock.
This is yet another ton from the Australian legend that became one of the fastest centuries in women's cricket, making her appear on the list twice. She took 53 balls to score the century, and was also unbeaten in the inning.
Lanning also holds the record for most centuries in Women's ODIs, which says a lot about her exceptional abilities.
5. Fargana Hoque | (51 balls) vs Maldives, 2019
Fargana Hoque celebrating her maiden T20 century off 51 balls against Maldives. Image | Sports Tak
Fargana Hoque, the right-handed Bangladeshi batter scored her maiden T20 century off 51 balls in 2019, which was fastest in a lot. With this remarkable century against Maldives, Hoque became the second woman from Bangladesh to score a T20 century.
4. Harmanpreet Kaur | (49 balls) vs New Zealand, 2018
Harmanpreet Kaur, the current Indian captain, secured the fourth position with her maiden T20 century in 2018. She scored this off just 49 balls during the ICC Women's World T20, against New Zealand.
Kaur showcased some fearless cricketing class and became the first Indian woman to score a century in a T20 International.
3. Tamsin Beaumont | (47 balls) vs South Africa, 2018
Tamsin Beaumont, the right-handed English batter, scored an impressive century off 47 balls against South Africa in 2018. She is known for her ability to score runs in all cricketing formats and noteworthy fielding.
2. Alyssa Healy | (46 balls) vs Sri Lanka, 2019
The current Australian captain, Alyssa Healy, scored her maiden T20 century off 46 balls against Sri Lanka in 2019. In this inning, she played a spectacular knock of 148* from 61 balls, which is the highest individual score in women's T20Is by an Australian.
This performance brings her to the second position in the table of fastest centuries in Women's cricket of all time.
1. Deandra Dottin | (38 balls) vs South Africa, 2010
Deandra Dottin smashing the fastest century in the history of Women's T20Is in 2010. Image | Associated press
As we come down to the final name, Deandra Dottin’s extraordinary century off 38 balls is the long-standing record that has remained in the no. 1 rank for over a decade. This West Indies all-rounder scored her groundbreaking maiden century against South Africa in 2010.
Dottin is the first woman to score a century in the history of T20 cricket. She is widely recognised for her explosive batting power and has set an unforgettable benchmark worldwide.
IWL 2024-25: East Bengal FC clinch their maiden title; Gokulam finish as runners-up
East Bengal FC cemented their status as IWL 2024-25 champions with a commanding 3-0 victory over Gokulam Kerala FC at the East Bengal ground on Friday.
East Bengal FC cemented their status as IWL 2024-25 champions with a commanding 3-0 victory over Gokulam Kerala FC at the East Bengal ground on Friday.
Already assured of the title before kickoff, the Red and Golds showcased their supremacy by defeating every team in the league en route to the championship, with all three goals coming in an explosive first half.
The star of the show was Elshaddai Acheampong, who opened the scoring in the 27th minute. After missing earlier chances, including a header from five yards in the 19th minute, the Ghanaian forward made amends with a clinical finish, chipping the goalkeeper after a deft move past defenders following a pass from Anju Tamang.
Her poacher’s instinct shone again in the 37th minute, tapping in a cross from Karthika Angamuthu at the back post to double the lead. Minutes before halftime, Soumya Guguloth sealed the rout in the 42nd minute, rounding the keeper to score after a perfectly timed through ball.
Despite the title already in hand, East Bengal displayed remarkable professionalism, dominating possession and stifling Gokulam from the outset. The second half saw Gokulam mount a brief challenge, testing goalkeeper Panthoi Chanu with a long-range effort, but the champions held firm. This win marked the only team East Bengal had yet to beat this season, completing a flawless campaign.
The victory underscored East Bengal’s dominance throughout the season, blending skill, composure, and relentless attacking play.
For Gokulam, the defeat highlighted their struggle against the league’s top side, as East Bengal celebrated a perfect end to their triumphant IWL 2024-25 journey.
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