Thursday the Barclay’s Women’s Super League announced their 2026 additions to the WSL Hall of Fame, as voted on by a panel of former players, coaches, officials, journalists and key figures. Established in 2021 and launched to coincide with the 10 year anniversary of the league’s creation, is “intended to recognize and honour players and individuals that who have contributed to the growth of the women’s game in England and the WSL since its founding.”
Former Liverpool Women’s manager Matt Beard is
included in the inductees for 2026, the first manager to be inducted since it’s creation, honoring the life and legacy of a man who worked tirelessly to bring women’s football to the level it deserves over two decades.
“Firstly, a name synonymous with the Barclays WSL and the women’s game, Matt Beard will be inducted posthumously following his passing in September 2025,” said the league’s statement.
“Beard’s association with women’s football in England spanned almost two decades, with much of his managerial career taking centre stage in the top flight at the helm of Chelsea, Liverpool and West Ham United.
“Making history when managing the Blues in the Barclays WSL’s first ever fixture in April 2011, he also won two league titles whilst on Merseyside (2013 and 2014) and led the Hammers to the 2019 Women’s FA Cup Final.
“Earning BWSL Manager of the Season accolades in 2013 and 2024 in his two separate spells with Liverpool, Beard brought the curtain down on his time in the Barclays WSL in 2025, with his place in the hearts of all associated with the women’s game well and truly cemented.”
Beard also had spells at Millwall Lionesses and the now defunct NWSL club Boston Breakers, in addition to an interim period at Bristol City. It was Beard who pushed the club upon his return to Liverpool in 2021 to upgrade the training facilities and playing conditions for the Women’s arm of the club, encouraging the move to take over Melwood Training Ground and away from Prenton Park as their home stadium. Beard was also the manager when the Liverpool Ladies were the only women’s team in the league to be training full time, leading to their first title in 2013.
Though he left the club in 2025, his impact on not just Liverpool but the women’s game as a whole is immeasurable, and the hall of fame induction is well earned. Also inducted this year is former Liverpool player Casey Stoney, who also played under Beard before leaving the club upon the creation of Manchester United Women, and Birmingham City legend Karys Harrop.
