Steph Houghton scores belter for Man City Women days after husband Stephen Darby being diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease
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STEPH HOUGHTON netted a screamer for Manchester City women today at the end of the most emotional of weeks.
Houghton's husband Stephen Darby was forced to retire from football in the week after being diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease.
Houghton, 30, was available for City's game against Bristol City this weekend, and she netted a pearler of a goal in the 90th minute to secure her side a 2-2 draw.
City were 2-0 down with just seven minutes to go before Nikita Parris netted from the penalty spot and then Houghton shone at the end.
Man City Women's manager Nick Cushing praised the resilience of Houghton after the match.
He said: “Steph is Steph. She’s the England captain and City captain because of her professionalism and commitment, and her desire and hunger to win. You could see that."
29-year-old Darby's most recent club was Bolton, having started his career with Liverpool.
Houghton posted on Twitter soon after the news broke thanking everybody for the "love and support", and insisted she and Stephen would "keep fighting and keep smiling".
Darby received the devastating diagnosis from a specialist recently and is now facing up to the huge fight ahead.
In an emotional statement, he said: “It is with great sadness that I announce my immediate retirement from professional football due to a recent diagnosis of Motor Neurone Disease.
“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.”
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Motor neurone disease affects specialist nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord, and causes everyday activities to become increasingly difficult or completely impossible.
Boss of his current club Bolton Wanderers, Phil Parkinson, added: “This is heart breaking 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 typified everything the city and the football club represented and led by example on and off the pitch.
MOTOR NEURONE DISEASE EXPLAINED
What is motor neurone disease?
Motor neurone disease is a rare condition. About two in every 100,000 Brits develop it each year. It affects specialist nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord, causing the function of motor neurons to break down.
When this occurs, everyday activities become increasingly difficult or completely impossible.
The majority of those diagnosed with the disease are given a three-year life expectancy starting from when they first notice the symptoms.
What causes motor neurone disease?
Even though there has been research into the cause of motor neurone disease, it is difficult to identify a particular trigger for the disease.
5-10% of all people with MND have the inherited or genetic form of the disease.
Whether there is a family history or not, other environmental triggers may still be needed for the disease to begin. These triggers may be different for each individual.
How is motor neurone disease treated?
Medical research is yet to find a cure for the rare illness.
Despite this, there is some treatment that can help those with motor neurone disease have a better quality of life, as well as helping with their mobility and bodily functions.
For those who struggle with respiration, a breathing mask may be prescribed. Riluzole is a medication that is used to help people with motor neurone disease, although it doesn’t prevent the condition progressing.
As it stands, this treatment has only shown a very small improvement in patients’ survival.
“The Bolton Wanderers fans didn’t see the best of him due to limited first team opportunities, but I can assure everyone that he made a significant contribution in last year’s survival.
“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.”
Darby reunited with Parkinson at Bolton in the summer of 2017 after making 236 appearances for Bradford City.