Hundreds gathered at the Liverpool Metropolitan Cathedral on Friday to pay their final respects to former Liverpool Women’s team manager, Matt Beard, who passed away last month at the age of 47.

The funeral service drew around 600 mourners, including prominent figures from the world of football such as former Liverpool striker Ian Rush, England internationals Casey Stoney, Lianne Sanderson, and Farah Williams, as well as Arsenal players Olivia Smith and Taylor Hinds. Manchester United Women’s manager Marc Skinner was also in attendance.

Players formed a solemn guard of honour along the central aisle as Beard’s coffin, draped with two Liverpool scarves, was carried in. Many were seen wiping away tears during the moving procession.

In an emotional eulogy, Beard’s brother, Mark Beard, urged mourners to let his brother’s death serve as a reminder to be kinder and more understanding.

“Please, please, please let Matt’s passing be a lesson to us all. We’re all human, so be more thoughtful,” he said. “He didn’t deserve to feel like he did.”

Mark Beard described his brother as one of the most inspirational figures in women’s football.

“He never looked back after moving into the women’s game,” he said. “He made everyone he came across as a better person.”

He also spoke about Matt’s deep love for his family, calling them his “driving force,” and expressed gratitude to staff at the Countess of Chester Hospital for their care and compassion.

Beard, who also managed Millwall, Chelsea, and West Ham United women’s teams, was thanked posthumously for his dedication to Liverpool Football Club, which his brother said had become his “beloved home.”

The service featured hymns including Jerusalem and Abide With Me, and ended with a poignant rendition of You’ll Never Walk Alone, as mourners raised Liverpool scarves in tribute.

Beard left Liverpool earlier this year to become head coach at Burnley, a position he later resigned from.

Following his death, heartfelt tributes were paid at both Liverpool’s men’s and women’s matches. Fans at the Women’s League Cup tie against Sunderland on September 24 honoured him by chanting “Matt Beard’s Mighty Reds” during the 13th and 14th minutes a nod to the years he led Liverpool to back-to-back Women’s Super League titles.