A 29-year-old former footballer who played in the Premier League and Champions League has retired after being diagnosed with motor neurone disease.
Stephen Darby, a right-back who married England women’s captain Steph Houghton in June, said it was ‘with great sadness’ that he was hanging up his boots.
Darby, who began his career at his hometown club Liverpool and later made more than 200 appearances for Bradford City, received the diagnosis from a specialist.
Stephen Darby, pictured after marrying Steph Houghton in June, has retired from football after being diagnosed with motor neurone disease
‘I would like to ask for privacy at this time,’ the 29-year-old said in a statement on Tuesday
The player, who made one Premier League appearance and three in the Champions League, joined Bolton in summer 2017 but has not played since December.
He said in a statement: ‘I would like to take the opportunity to thank my teammates, Phil Parkinson and all the staff at Bolton Wanderers Football Club for their amazing support at what has been an extremely difficult period for myself and my family.
‘I would like to ask for privacy at this time so I can adjust to the battle I have ahead and so that I can spend time with those closest to me.’
Motor neurone disease (MND) is a condition that affects the brain and nerves, causing weakness that gets worse over time.
Darby (left) with his wife Steph Houghton (centre) and David Beckham at the 2017 PFA Awards
It is fatal and can significantly lower life expectancy, but some people live with it for many years. There is no cure, but treatments can help reduce its impact on daily life.
Darby’s former team Liverpool were among many teams, players and fans to send their best wishes to him.
Liverpool said via Twitter: ‘Liverpool Football Club are saddened by the news of Stephen Darby’s retirement after he was diagnosed with motor neurone disease.
‘The thoughts of everyone at the club are with Stephen and his family at this time.’
Darby in action for Liverpool, where he rose through the ranks to the fringe of the first team
Darby’s former Liverpool teammate Daniel Pacheco, who now plays for Malaga, tweeted: ‘Just heard the news about Stephen Darby. What a top lad during my time in Liverpool. Wish you all the best mate in this battle and we are all with you.’
Aaron Mclean added: ‘Sad news that my ex-teammate Stephen Darby has had to retire due to being diagnosed with motor neurone disease.
‘I wish you and your family the very best in such a tough time. My heart goes out to you. One of the nicest guys you could hope to meet.’
And Stephen Warnock posted on Instagram: ‘Heartbreaking news about my former teammate Stephen Darby who has been diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease.
‘Life is so cruel, genuinely one of the nicest lads you could ever meet. We are all behind you in your battle.’
Houghton, who captained Manchester City to victory over Bristol City on Sunday, has yet to make a public statement but her club led the tributes to the defender.
‘Everyone at Manchester City is behind Steph and Stephen at this time’ they wrote on Twitter followed by a sky-blue love heart.
Darby joined Bolton in 2017 after leaving Bradford, where he made 236 appearances and was part of the team that reached the 2013 League Cup final.
‘We will be offering full support to former Bradford City star Stephen Darby, who today announced his retirement from professional football after being diagnosed with motor neurone disease,’ the Yorkshire club wrote on Twitter.
It was at Liverpool, his boyhood club, where Darby learned his trade.
The right-back came through the Reds’ famed academy and made his competitive debut in the Champions League against PSV Eindhoven in December 2008.
He made his first competitive start a year later, against Fiorentina in the same competition.
While at Liverpool, Darby enjoyed loan spells with Swindon, Notts County and Rochdale before leaving for Bradford, where he later became captain.
Bolton boss Phil Parkinson said: ‘This is heartbreaking news for Stephen and his family and the thoughts of everybody at Bolton Wanderers Football Club are very much with him and Steph.
‘He is an outstanding professional and a fantastic person. He was simply magnificent during his time at Bradford and was a key figure in the resurgence of Bradford City as a football club.
He added: ‘He constantly set high standards in training every day and encouraged and drove his fellow teammates on.
‘All the staff and players at Bolton Wanderers Football Club think the world of him and are determined to give him every possible bit of support.’
Bolton chairman Ken Anderson added: ‘We were all saddened when we found out that Stephen has to retire from the profession he loves.
Four other sports stars with MND
Fernando Ricksen (Football)
Former Rangers and Holland defender who was diagnosed in October, 2013
Doddie Weir (Rugby)
Ex-Scotland international who was diagnosed with the disease in June, 2017
Joost van der Westhuizen
Former South Africa rugby player, who died in February, 2017 aged 45
Ezzard Charles (Boxing)
American former world heavyweight boxing champion, who died aged 54 in 1975
‘Stephen is very well thought of by everybody at Bolton Wanderers and he will always be welcome at the University of Bolton Stadium.
‘Our thoughts are with him and his family and friends during this difficult time.’
A number of Darby’s other former clubs also paid tribute to the defender today.
‘Everyone at #STFC is devastated to hear of Stephen Darby’s diagnosis with Motor Neurone Disease. Along with the rest of the #Football Family, we send our best wishes to Stephen and his family,’ read Swindon’s official Twitter account.
Notts County added, ‘Our thoughts are with Stephen Darby, who has been diagnosed with motor neurone disease.’
And Rochdale said: ‘Everyone at Rochdale Football Club is saddened to hear that former Dale loanee Stephen Darby has been diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease. We would like to send our best wishes to Stephen and his family.’
The Professional Footballers’ Association has vowed to support Darby, husband of Manchester City defender and England captain Steph Houghton.
The PFA’s Matthew Buck said: ‘As a footballer Stephen has been the epitome of a true professional. Since I first met him and began representing him at the age of 17 he has dedicated himself to the sport and has had a successful career, whilst experiencing the highs and lows of the game.
‘He has become a good friend over the years and knowing Stephen throughout his football career I am sure he will face the future with the same determination and resolve he showed throughout his football career.
Darby’s wife Houghton captains both Manchester City and England Women’s teams
‘I have seen first hand how difficult the last few weeks have been for Stephen, Steph and his family but he has conducted himself with a tremendous amount of dignity and bravery.
‘Stephen has been a credit to his profession and myself and the PFA will continue to support Stephen in his battle ahead against Motor Neurone Disease.’
Last year an American medical study made a link between motor neurone disease and heading a football.
Scientists made the discovery after examining the brain of Chicago Fire’s Patrick Grange, who aged 29 in 2012 and suffered from the condition before his death.
After his family donated his brain to experts at Boston University, scientists found he had chronic traumatic encephalopathy – a condition thought to be a trigger for several cognitive diseases including MND.
For more information about MND, please visit www.mndassociation.org/about-mnd