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Fara Williams fought back tears with BBC Sport's live coverage of the Women's Super League momentarily paused as she paid tribute to former Liverpool manager Matt Beard.
The football world was sent into shock over the weekend following news of Beard's death aged 47.
Beard was in charge of Liverpool twice during his 17-year career in women's football management, winning back-to-back league titles in 2013 and 2014.
Williams played for Beard's title-winning sides and was working alongside Alex Scott and Steph Houghton on the BBC where she paid a heartfelt tribute to her former boss.
She said: 'It's a tough day. I tried to speak a little bit about him on Five Live a bit earlier, it's difficult.
'Steph said it there, he meant so much to all of us. He will be missed.'
Fara Williams fought back tears as she paid tribute to former Liverpool manager Matt Beard
The women's football coach passed away over the weekend, sending the game into shock
Williams fought back tears as Houghton and Scott came to her comfort.
Scott added: 'Matt was a leader, he was a mentor and he was a manager.
'His love for the game will leave a lasting impact on the game.
'Everyone at BBC sends their deepest sympathies to Matt's family, friends and his loved ones and everyone in the football community at this difficult time.'
In response to news of Beard's passing, Liverpool posted on X: 'Liverpool's Barclays Women's Super League fixture against Aston Villa today has been postponed.
'Following the sudden and tragic news of the passing of former LFC Women manager Matt Beard, the match at Villa Park – scheduled for 12pm BST – will not take place. Details of a rearrangement will be confirmed in due course.'
Beard was most recently appointed Burnley manager but resigned after just two months in charge. The Clarets confirmed that their match against West Brom, which was scheduled for Sunday, had also been postponed.
Tributes flooded in, with former Chelsea boss Emma Hayes describing Beard as a 'champion of the women's game'.
The USWNT boss wrote: 'Can't quite compute this. Absolutely one of the best humans.
'Always available for a chat, one of the good guys. A champion in the women's game and a top bloke. So gutted for his family.'
He began coaching in the women's game in 2008, and had stints at Chelsea, Millwall Lionesses and West Ham alongside Liverpool.
Williams was part of Beard's back-to-back title winning Liverpool teams in 2013 and 2014
Chelsea said in a statement that Beard 'helped shape Chelsea Women' during his three-year tenure and credited him for 'laying much of the foundations' ahead of Hayes replacing him in 2012 before she embarked on a trophy-laden spell.
He went on to win WSL titles in his first spell in charge of Liverpool, between 2012 and 2015. On returning to the club in 2021, he secured promotion back into the top flight in his first season, before guiding them to a fourth-placed finish in his second.
The WSL announced that a minute's silence will be held across all other games taking place in the league and WSL2 on Sunday. Chelsea's meeting with Leicester, Brighton's match with West Ham and Arsenal's trip to Manchester United are all set to go ahead.
The WSL said in a statement: 'Clubs across the Barclays WSL and Barclays WSL2 will take part in a minute's silence ahead of kick-off at games today in memory of Matt Beard following his passing.'
