Former Lioness captain Steph Houghton reveals her husband’s heartbreaking motor neurone disease battle after he was diagnosed months after they married

Former England captain Steph Houghton has revealed her husband has undergone a ‘life-changing’ procedure as his condition worsened amid his ongoing battle with motor neurone disease (MND).

Stephen Darby, who came through Liverpool’s academy before playing for a number of football clubs, retired from football in September 2018 after being diagnosed with the rare condition.

Houghton and Darby, both 36, had tied the knot earlier that year in June – just three months before his devastating diagnosis.

Darby has lived with the debilitating condition, which affects the brain and nerves, for the past six years, but his condition has worsened in recent months.

In a moment similar to the late Rob Burrow being carried across the finish line of the Leeds Marathon by Kevin Sinfield, Houghton emotionally pushed her husband into a wheelchair during a 175-mile charity walk to Anfield in March.

Houghton, who captained the Lionesses between 2014 and 2021, has revealed how Darby is now fitted with a feeding tube following a percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy to get the necessary nutrients into his body to survive.

“You want Stephen to live as much of a normal life as possible, to be able to eat as much food as possible and get the calorie intake in,” she said. The Guardian.

Darby recently required a “life-changing” procedure as his condition worsened

Darby attended the women’s match between England and Germany with Houghton last month

Former Lioness captain Steph Houghton poses for a photo with husband Stephen Darby, 35, after they completed a 175-mile trek to battle motor neurone disease that ended his career

Houghton pushes ex-footballer Darby in his wheelchair as they arrive at Anfield to complete the giant walk as they raise awareness of MND in March

Houghton has admitted it’s been a tough few months for her family as Darby now has to be fed through a tube

“Over the last few months it became a bit risky to have food and then the decision had to be made. We need Stephen to maintain his weight and eat. It hasn’t been a great few months because these decisions are life-changing and take a lot of time to get used to. But in the end it’s best for him. It allows him to relax a little more.

“There are good days and bad days, but I think we have adapted very well in the last six years. It’s obviously a rough ride, but I want to be honest about the actual process and raise awareness about the disease. It’s so important that we discuss the reality of MND so we can potentially help people in the future.

‘It was so difficult to process it in the first few years. You don’t want to believe it because you think, ‘Why us?’ We’re still young and Stephen should still be playing football. It’s not fair.’ But the more you think about it, the more damage it does to you. So I’ve learned how important it is to be positive.’

Darby, who played for Swindon Town, Notts County, Rochdale, Bradford City and Bolton Wanderers before his career was cut short, has aimed to raise awareness of ALS since his diagnosis.

He and Marcus Stewart, another ex-footballer suffering from ALS, raised £130,000 by completing a 175-mile charity march from Anfield to Valley Parade last year.

He also encouraged Houghton to continue playing football before finally hanging up her boots at the end of last season.

Houghton is now an ambassador for Manchester City, while she has also embarked on her coaching journey, worked as a pundit for Sky and started a podcast with Ian Wright.

Darby and Marcus Stewart (left) completed a charity march last year to raise awareness for ALS

Houghton captained England for seven years and was encouraged by Darby to keep playing after his diagnosis

Houghton retired earlier this year but has continued to work in recent months to help support Darby

Houghton admits she feels guilty about having to leave Darby behind for work, but praises the support network the couple has created that has helped them through such a difficult time.

“When I go to games or have to spend the night, I feel a bit guilty about not being with Stephen,” Houghton added. ‘It takes a lot out of you emotionally.

“The last few months have been challenging because you always have those worries in the back of your mind when you’re not there and something happens. You just want things to work out, but I think we’re getting more and more into a routine.

‘Our families have been absolutely surreal because we have such a good support network. This allows me to do what I need to do and allows Stephen to get the best care possible.”