Stephen Darby reunited with Swindon Town shirts after MND diagnosis

Not many Town fans will forget the night Stephen Darby stepped up to score the winning penalty against Charlton Athletic in the League One play-off semi-final in May 2010, sending their team to Wembley.

It was a moment cemented the player among the club's icons but just eight years later Darby was diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease at the age of 29.

And that's why Mark 'Hanners' Hanrahan from the Sir Tom Broadbent Lounge podcast jumped when he saw Darby's match-worn shirt from that famous win was up for sale and the former player's wife, Manchester City footballer Steph Houghton, was trying to buy it. 

Mark, along with a group of other fans, arranged to buy the professionally framed shirt and transport it to the Etihad in Manchester so that it could be reunited with Stephen, Steph and their family. 

Stephen Darby's match-worn Swindon shirt from the 2012 League One play-off semi-final match where he scored the winning penalty returned to his wife Steph Houghton at the Etihad Stadium in Manchester (Image: Mark Hanrahan)

"I’m well aware of Stephen’s battle, so when I saw it a whole host of emotions hit me, and I realised that I would like to say thank you as a Swindon fan," he said. 

"My immediate instinct was ‘it’s going to be more than I can afford’ but knew I wouldn’t be alone in helping to get hold of that shirt and pay the cost and get it to Stephen and Steph."

Mark is now attempting to return Darby's other important shirts from throughout his career back to their owner while helping the Darby Rimmer MND Foundation, set up Stephen and his close friend and forces veteran Chris Rimmer.

He said: "We are raising funds to cover the cost of the shirt with all monetary proceeds thereafter going directly to Darby Rimmer MND in their battle to raise awareness and funds for MND research.

"I am delighted to confirm that Stephen's former clubs including Bradford City, Bolton Wanderers and Liverpool will also be sourcing and presenting Stephen's match-worn shirts - from his most iconic appearances for their clubs - to Stephen and his family to help raise funds and provide them with comfort and support.

"Having never met Stephen in person, my team and I could not think of a better way for all Swindon Town fans and indeed those of his former clubs to say thank you to him for so many memorable moments. Hopefully providing Stephen with plenty of smiles and encouragement as he continues to lead his and his family's battle with MND."

To support the initiative visit  gofund.me/7e27dec0