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Everywhere you looked, you could see his influence. There were players, past and present, many of whom had benefited from his insight and guidance, some who simply knew what he represented.
Lucy Bronze and Fara Williams; Missy Bo-Kearns and Olivia Smith, the first £1million signing in women’s football.
Then came those who were his contemporaries, the men and women who had enjoyed pitting their wits against him or picking his brains, like Emma Hayes, Casey Stoney, Gareth Taylor, and Marc Skinner.
Plenty of club officials were in attendance, those who had the utmost respect for his achievements; Michael Edwards, Julian Ward and Ian Rush were among a delegation from Liverpool.
Finally there were the fans, to whom he had brought so many good times; many were dressed in club colours or had red-and-white scarves draped over their shoulders. They stood solemnly, like everyone else, arms linked for comfort.
Matt Beard was a remarkable football coach, a driving force for the women’s game, his journey taking him from Millwall to Chelsea, to Liverpool, West Ham and Burnley.
Hundreds of people gathered in Liverpool to remember former Reds women's boss Matt Beard
The 47-year-old's funeral was attended by more than 600 people and many tears were shed
As anyone who knew him would tell you, the kind of man from whom you would walkaway with a smile on your face.
But not this time. Inside Liverpool’s Metropolitan Cathedral, at 10.30am, a silence descended and was punctured only by the sound of footsteps, as his coffin was carried through this cavernous building.
Yes, Beard excelled in the world of sport and his achievements – and the vast congregation, numbering more than 600 – will be celebrated but, on this occasion, sport simply did not matter.
A family is bereft by the unexpected suddenness and desperate circumstances of his death last month, they are without a father and a husband, a brother and an uncle.
‘This is your road to Emmaus,’ Bishop Tom Williams explained in a moving and profound homily. ‘Life will never be the same.’
Life is also sacred. And what a desperate tragedy it is that Beard, who was 47, is no longer with us to experience it. He had so much to offer, so much to live for.
His brother, Mark, found the strength to deliver a eulogy that encapsulated everything about his character.
‘He was a beautiful little soul, right from the start, who always made you smile,’ he said. ‘If he had no succeeded in football, he would have definitely been on the stage.
Fara Williams (right), who played under Beard at Liverpool, attended the ceremony
Current Liverpool stars Beata Olsson (left) and Cornelia Kapocs (right) are seen arriving
Liverpool's all-time leading goalscorer Ian Rush turned out at the city's Metropolitan Cathedral
‘Instead he went on to manage some of the best football clubs in the world – like Millwall.’
The comedic pause had the desired effect and, you suspect, his sibling would have chuckled in approval.
Another story, about the day Mark took Matt’s dog, Rex, for a walk after his passing garnered a similar response. Rex was so well drilled, it seems, that he could make his way to the local pub, shop and bakers without the need for a lead.
Then, however, came the line that mattered more than anything, how the events of last month have left a chasm that will never be filled.
There was a special mention for the nurses at the Countess of Chester hospital, who did all they could to save Beard.
‘The help they gave us over five days is like nothing I have ever seen,’ Mark explained. ‘Please, please, please let Matt’s passing be a lesson to us all. Be more thoughtful.’
The requiem ended with his sister, Lucy, singing an acoustic version of You’ll Never Walk Alone. The last time she had performed it publicly was in 2022 when the then Liverpool coach was being doused in champagne after winning the Women’s Championship.
Now, the words echoed around the cathedral, the scene so incredibly haunting.
‘Please join in with me,’ she asked ahead of the final chorus.
The Beard family will not be allowed to walk alone through this situation. If only he had known there were countless people who would have walked with him, too.
The Order of Service for Matt Beard’s funeral contained numbers for the Samaritans (116 123), the National Suicide Prevention Helpline (0800 689 5652), Calm (0800 58 58 58) and a link to Andy’s Man Club (www.andysmanclub.co.uk).
If you need to talk, someone is always available.
