A touching gesture
Bradford City have paid tribute to their former player Stephen Darby this afternoon, wearing special warm-up shirts with his name printed on them before their match away to Doncaster Rovers.
🙌 | The players will wear special warm-up shirts prior to kick-off @drfc_official to show their support for former @officialbantams star Stephen Darby.#BCAFC pic.twitter.com/vkft8RPj9e
— Bradford City AFC (@officialbantams) September 22, 2018
Darby recently had to retire after being diagnosed with motor neurone disease. The tragic news was mourned by all in the world of football, and tributes came pouring in from all around.
Stephen Warnock spoke about Darby’s selfless character and the generosity of the man, recalling how when the news broke, Darby rang his academy manager to check up on him, because he knew he’d be worried.
"I spoke to him and I couldn’t believe how positive he is already."@StephenWarnock3 on his former teammate Stephen Darby, who was earlier this week diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease. pic.twitter.com/HL02BQQp0a
— BBC 5 Live Sport (@5liveSport) September 22, 2018
Darby, who made six appearances for the Liverpool first team between 2008 and 2010, made the announcement of his retirement via the Bolton Wanderers official website on Tuesday morning.
The 29-year-old’s last competitive fixture for the Wanderers came in December of last year and he has asked for privacy as he prepares to battle the neurodegenerative disorder.
Bradford’s small gesture to wear special shirts to pay tribute to their old player is just one example of the positive effect Darby had on every club that he played for.
