Barclays Women's Super League Hall of Fame, Class of 2026: Matt Beard, Kerys Harrop and Casey Stoney OBE
Matt Beard is a name that will be forever associated with the Barclays Women's Super League, with a legacy that lives on in the many supporters, colleagues and players who knew and loved him.
Matt was a dominant figure throughout his managerial career, with most of that time taking centre-stage in the top-flight. After coaching in non-league and then at Millwall, Matt took charge at Chelsea for a three-year period between 2009-2012. Importantly, during that time, he oversaw the Blues when they played Arsenal in the first ever fixture of the WSL as we know it now.
Matt's career was only headed in one direction from there as he made a move to Merseyside to manage Liverpool and lead them to title wins in 2013 - where he was named Manager of the Season - and again the following year.
He took some time to work internationally before returning home in 2018 to manage West Ham, taking them all the way to the FA Cup Final in his first year at the helm.
A return to Liverpool in 2021 gave the then, second tier club, the all-important lift they needed to be crowned champions and earn promotion back to the Barclays WSL. More success followed with Liverpool. Success that earned him Barclays Manager of the Season once again.
Matt Beard will be forever associated with the women's game. Today, with his induction to the Barclays Hall of Fame, we acknowledge the indelible impact he made. Not only as a manager. But as a colleague. And as a friend.
Kerys Harrop will forever be associated with her hometown club Birmingham City. She represented the Blues, in the heart of their defence 135 times, scoring 13 goals. Harrop won the FA Cup with Birmingham in 2012 aged just 22. She also played a key role in the side that made it to the semi-finals of the UEFA Women's Champions League.
After leaving Birmingham City in 2020, Kerys enjoyed three more seasons at Tottenham Hotspur before hanging up her boots for the final time in the summer of 2023.
After a 12-year career in the Barclays WSL - where she once held the record for number of appearances - she now puts her First-Class Sports Science degree to good use, teaching the next generation whilst also working as a football agent.
Casey Stoney OBE had a playing career that spanned nearly two decades. She played a pivotal role both before and after the formation of the WSL as we now know it.
After spells with Chelsea, Arsenal and Charlton in the first part of her career, she played for Lincoln, Arsenal and Liverpool after the formation of the WSL. Accolades as a player include two league titles, four FA Cups, five League Cups and three Community Shields.
After retiring as a player, Stoney took no time before making the inevitable switch to management. She became the first ever Head Coach at Manchester United, leading the club to promotion to the top-flight at the first time of asking.
Now leading the Canadian National team, Casey Stoney's impact on our game is undeniable. It is for this reason she has been rightfully inducted into the Barclays Hall of Fame.