Stephen Darby, from Liverpool star to MND fighter: It is a brutal disease with a horrible prognosis

Former Liverpool player Stephen Darby has opened up about his battle with motor neurone disease (MND), along with Mark Stewart who also suffered from the disease.

“It's a brutal disease with a horrible prognosis. That's the message we need to get across to people to help them move forward.” That was one of the phrases Darby said Stewart in a special interview from Anfield for BBC Breakfast.

The former footballer ended his career prematurely at the age of 29 after being diagnosed with MND.

A career ended prematurely

The player began his professional career in Liverpoolbefore moving up the ranks Bolton, Notts Country and Bradforduntil a premature retirement in 2018.

The news came while he was studying to obtain a coaching qualification and just three months after marrying his ex. England captain Stephen Houghton.

Speaking about how this illness affects her family, Darby said, “It's emotionally harder for them to see the fall.” (It's not nice.

“Look at what you just said for me. I won't even be able to talk about it. I don't want to. You're braver than me. I think that but I don't talk about it. Because I wouldn't have been as brave as you just were.

“It doesn't just affect me. It affects my wife, my mom and dad, my brother, my family, my friends. It affects everyone.

“It's a brutal disease with a horrible prognosis. That's the message we need to get across to people to help them move forward.”

Two trips to the emergency room in 2023

Over time, the player has decided to report on his daily life to raise awareness about MNE.

Now he is more prone to falls, something that has forced him to go to the emergency room twice in 2023.

These falls have left him with several cuts on his head, which he showed in his interview. His determination to continue fighting comes from his time as a professional footballer, as he himself recognizes.