Former Lioness captain Steph Houghton reveals her husband’s heartbreaking motor neurone illness battle after he was recognized months after they married
- Steph Houghton’s husband was diagnosed with motor neurone disease in 2018
- His condition has worsened and he recently needed a ‘life-changing’ procedure
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Former England captain Steph Houghton has revealed her husband has undergone a ‘life-changing’ procedure due to his condition deteriorating amid his ongoing battle with motor neurone disease (MND).
Stephen Darby, who came through Liverpool‘s academy before going on to play for five other football clubs, was forced to retire from the game 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 their new life together was shattered by the devastating diagnosis.
The former England Under-19 defender has lived with the debilitating disease that affects the brain and nerves for the last six years, but his condition has worsened in recent months.
In a moment which mirrored the late Rob Burrow being carried across the Leeds Marathon finish line by Kevin Sinfield, Houghton emotionally pushed her husband in a wheelchair during a 178-mile charity walk to Anfield in March.
Houghton, who captained the Lionesses between 2014 and 2021, has revealed how Darby has now been fitted with a feeding tube following a percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy to help get the necessary nutrients into his body to survive.
‘You want Stephen to be living a normal life as much as possible, to be able to eat as much food as he can and get that calorie intake on board,’ she told The Guardian.
Steph Houghton’s husband Stephen Darby (left) was diagnosed with MND in 2018
Darby recently needed a ‘life-changing’ procedure as his condition has worsened
Darby attended last month’s women’s match between England and Germany with Houghton
Former Lioness captain Steph Houghton poses for a picture with husband Stephen Darby, 35, after they completed a 178-mile trek to fight Motor Neurone Disease, which ended his career
Houghton pushes ex-footballer Darby in his wheelchair as they arrive at Anfield to complete the mammoth walk as they raise awareness over MND in March
Houghton has admitted it has been a difficult few months for her family as Darby now needs to be fed through a tube
‘Over the last few months it became a bit risky having food and that’s when the decision had to be made.
‘We need Stephen to keep weight on and to eat. It hasn’t been a great few months because these decisions are life-changing and it takes a lot of time to get used to. But ultimately it’s the best thing for him. It allows him to relax a bit more.
‘There are good and bad days but I think we’ve adapted really well over the last six years. It’s obviously a tough ride but I want to be honest about the actual process and spread awareness of the disease.’
Houghton said it was vital to discuss the reality of living with MND and opened up about feeling a sense of injustice that her husband’s career was cut short against his will.
‘But the more you dwell on it, the more that it harms you,’ she added. ‘So I’ve learnt how important it is to be positive.’
Houghton and Darby married in June 2018, with the former Lioness previously revealing it was ‘love at first sight’.
The pair spoke about their relationship on a podcast presented by the late rugby league great Rob Burrow, who died in June following a battle with MND.
Houghton recalled that they first came together thanks to a meeting arranged by her agent.
She admitted that her first impression was that he ‘smelled amazing’, joking that he must have put ‘the whole bottle’ of aftershave on.
Darby, meanwhile, recalled buying new clothes before the meeting and only realised when he got home that he still had a sticky tag on the back of his trousers.
During the podcast, Houghton admitted she had ‘never heard of MND before Stephen got diagnosed’ and remembers asking ‘Why us?’ and feeling ‘upset and angry’.
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 MND since his diagnosis.
He raised £130,000 alongside Marcus Stewart – another ex-footballer suffering from MND – by completing a 178-mile charity march from Anfield to Valley Parade last year.
He also encouraged Houghton to keep playing football, before she eventually hung her boots up at the end of last season.
Darby and Marcus Stewart (left) completed a charity march last year to raise awareness for MND
Houghton captained England for seven years and was encouraged to keep playing by Darby after his diagnosis
Houghton retired earlier this year but has kept working to help support Darby in recent months
Houghton is now an ambassador for Manchester City, while she has also begun her coaching journey, worked as a pundit for Sky and started a podcast alongside Ian Wright.
Houghton admits to feeling guilt when she has to leave Darby behind for her work, but has hailed the support network the couple have in place that has helped them through such a difficult period.
‘When I’m going to games or having to stay overnight I feel a little guilty because I’m not with Stephen,’ Houghton added. ‘It takes a lot out of you emotionally.
‘These last few months have been challenging because you always have that worry in the back of your head if you’re not there and something happens. You just want it to be OK but I think we’re getting into more of a routine.
‘Our families have been absolutely unreal as we’ve got such a good support network. It allows me to do what I need to do and for Stephen to have the best possible care.’
