Hannah Hampton paid an emotional tribute to Matt Beard during her acceptance speech for the Women’s Yashin Trophy.It was announced on Saturday that the former Liverpool and Chelsea women’s boss Beard had passed away at the age of 47.Hampton paid her respects to Beard during her acceptance speech@ballondor XTributes have since poured in, with Hampton one of those to pay her respects for the two-time Women’s Super League winner.She did so after winning the inaugural Women’s Yashin Trophy at the Ballon d’Or awards ceremony, a prize that is awarded to the best goalkeeper in the world.“The women’s game, sadly, on Saturday night lost a trailblazer, Matt Beard,” the England and Chelsea star said.“Matt was someone who cared an awful lot for the women’s game before, when no one else did. “He lit up the room when everyone was in it, and it’s just a message to show that not everyone should have to go through these dark moments alone. “Sometimes the brightest smiles in the room hide the heaviest pain, and he will be greatly missed.”Earlier in her speech, Hampton said: “I’d like to say a massive thank you to France Football for this award.“I don’t think it’s an achievement for me, it’s an achievement for women’s goalkeeping, that the award is finally now taking part.“I stand on the shoulders of so many great goalkeepers of the past.“Sitting along with my fellow nominees, it’s an honour to be a part of such an incredible group inspiring keepers of the future generation coming through and training so hard.Beard was crucial in the rise of the women’s gameGetty“I’d love to just thank my family, my brother who’s here tonight, for all the sacrifices that you gave growing up, driving me around everywhere so I could fulfil my dream and be here tonight.“To all the coaches, there’s so many. From Frosty [Andrew Frost] at Stoke, to all the coaches at Birmingham, at [Aston] Villa.“At Chelsea, with Emma [Hayes] and Stu [Stuart Searle] bringing me in, and now with Seb [Brown], Dan [Smith] and Sonia [Bompastor] having to put up with me on a daily basis.“To Sarina [Wiegman] and to Darren [Ward], for having the faith and belief in me over the summer, the success we’ve had.“And to the fans, your support does not go unnoticed, and it does truly mean a lot.”More to follow…