Stephen Darby Retires After Being Diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease

[Dave]

Bolton defender Stephen Darby has retired from football after being diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease.

The full-back, 29, was diagnosed recently by a specialist.

"It is with great sadness that I announce my immediate retirement from professional football due to a recent diagnosis of Motor Neurone Disease," said Darby.

"I would like to take the opportunity to thank my team-mates, 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."

[LFCMike]

Awful that, poor fella

[Dr. Gonzo]

That's shit, wish him all the best.

[DeadLinesman]

Absolute shite of a disease that I deal with regularly. Genuinely wouldn’t wish it on my worst enemy.

[Harry]

Poor guy. Is it right to retire though? I.e. Will football harm him?

If not wouldn't you do better to keep playing if it's something you love to do...?

[Fairy In Boots]

Very sad this wish him all the best

[Pig on the Wing]

On 19/09/2018 at 01:08, Harry said:

Poor guy. Is it right to retire though? I.e. Will football harm him?

If not wouldn't you do better to keep playing if it's something you love to do...?

Have a read up on MND - it's horrendous. If he's walking this time next year, he'll be doing well, let alone performing as a professional athlete.

Truly awful for the lad, can't imagine much worse than being given that diagnosis at such a young age. 

[Stan]

Great shame that a player's career is cut short like this.

Is this the same disease Fernando Ricksen had? 

[The Artful Dodger]

On 24/09/2018 at 15:19, Stan said:

Great shame that a player's career is cut short like this.

Is this the same disease Fernando Ricksen had? 

Yeah, and he is still alive 5 years later so he must doing alright. Most famously it's what Stephen Hawking had, he was  a living miracle by the fact he survived so long but it's a cruel, cruel disease.