Marcus Stewart is determined to “live in the moment” as he prepares for the fund-raising March of the Day to raise awareness of Motor Neurone Disease.
The ex-footballer was diagnosed with the illness in January 2022 and has spoken openly about the effect on his life.
A fans’ favourite at his former clubs such as Bristol City, Huddersfield, Ipswich and Sunderland, the 51-year-old refuses to dwell on the future too much.
He told the PA news agency: “I don’t really think about it. We all sit down to ponder our thoughts sometimes, especially at night.
“I have always lived in the moment, doing things week to week. It’s like when I played football. I always try to have something to look forward to. It might be a holiday, or a night out or going to see the kids.”
Nevertheless, MND has had an impact on Stewart’s life, with very little use of his left arm and the condition now having an effect on his right arm.
“When I was diagnosed I could still play golf, two years down the line and I can’t do that now,” he said.
“I’ve still got independence (he drives an automatic). People look at me and I’m no different. My arms are a little slimmer than they should be, but I look pretty normal.
“It’s a massive unknown, it affects everyone differently in different areas of your body.”
Now working at Yeovil “a couple of days a week”, Stewart pays tribute to his family, particularly his wife Louise who has been the driving force behind the fund-raising.
“I think it’s important that people with MND who haven’t got a profile, that they are shown that something is happening,” he said.
“There is help out there and people are trying to find a cure. It’s getting closer and closer. It’s important that we keep it in the press and give people hope. The more we do this, the more chance we have got of finding a cure.”
March of the Day has been set up to support Stephen Darby, Stewart and the Darby Rimmer MND Foundation.
Former Bradford defender Darby retired from football in 2018 aged 29 after he was diagnosed with MND.
Darby and close friend and British Forces veteran Chris Rimmer launched the Darby Rimmer MND Foundation to create awareness, fund and assist research into the illness.
The walk is 175 miles from Bradford’s Valley Parade to Liverpool, visiting other football grounds along the way. Taking place in stages, it starts on Friday, March 22 at 9am and is scheduled to finish on Sunday at 5:30pm.
For more information and to support March of the Day go to https://www.justgiving.com/page/motd-core-team
Terzic 'proud but empty' after Dortmund's Champions League defeat
Edin Terzic says he feels "proud but empty" following Borussia Dortmund's 2-0 Champions League final defeat to Real Madrid on Saturday.
Dortmund were the better side in the first half, though lacked a clinical edge to punish a Madrid side struggling to create chances.
Late goals from Dani Carvajal and Vinicius Junior clinched a record-extending 15th European crown for Los Blancos, with Dortmund suffering Champions League heartbreak on Wembley turf for a second time.
The Black and Yellow have now lost their last three major European finals, though Terzic was still able to reflect on the positives from the game despite the disappointing result.
Speaking to TNT Sports after the game, he said: "After a Champions League final we've lost, I'm proud but also empty. It's difficult to think about the last 12 months and analyse that period. But I think we've had a season with a lot of ups and downs.
"Today was a perfect example of what is possible with this team, what we can achieve and that's what's important from tomorrow onwards. We have to try to be more consistent.
"It's difficult to find the words. Performance-wise, we played a great game, but we found out why they've become champions for the 15th time. They were so effective and that was something we missed.
"We showed that we were here to win, not just play a game. We were close. Small things missing. But congratulations to them to keep this kind of hunger. You can see why they are champions.
"This is a proud moment. We took 100,000 people from Dortmund to London, and everybody had the belief. It was a fantastic journey, but I'm also a bit empty inside as it was a great opportunity, but we didn't take it."
On the opposite side, former Dortmund midfielder Jude Bellingham became the third-youngest player to start a Champions League final for Madrid at 20 years and 338 days, after Iker Casillas in 2000 and Raul in 1998.
Terzic was full of praise for his former player and passed on his well wishes to the England international.
"When he left us, I said the same thing I said to Erling Haaland - that I was proud to be their manager," he added.
"It is his first Champions League win, and it is a proud moment for him.
"I know what Mark, Denise and Jobe are doing to get this success in the family. Congratulations to Jude."
'Legend' Kroos hailed by Valverde after triumphant Madrid send-off
Toni Kroos was hailed as a "legend" by his fellow midfielder Federico Valverde after helping Real Madrid win their 15th European crown in the final game of his club career on Saturday.
Kroos enjoyed a winning send-off in the Champions League final at Wembley Stadium, assisting Dani Carvajal's opener in a hard-fought 2-0 win over Borussia Dortmund.
The 34-year-old – who will hang up his boots after representing Germany at Euro 2024 – joined Luka Modric and Nacho in winning his sixth European crown, a feat only previously achieved by Paco Gento.
Kroos led all 22 starters for touches (108), passes attempted (94), and passes completed (91), while only Ferland Mendy, with perfect distribution, bettered his passing accuracy (96.8 per cent). Dortmund's Julian Brandt matched his four chances created.
Speaking to Movistar after the game, Kroos expressed relief that Madrid had survived a below-par first half, in which Dortmund missed several decent chances.
"The decisive thing was that we didn't concede in the first half. The first half really wasn’t good from us," Kroos said.
"Then we got into the game better and scored the goal. We were fully there and the better team. But it took a long time until we were the better team tonight."
Valverde, meanwhile, was glowing in his praise for Kroos.
Asked how much he would miss his retiring midfield partner, the Uruguayan said: "A lot, like everyone else.
"He is a person who has left his legend here, his mark. We, as youngsters, try to learn as much from him as possible, like with Modric.
"Thank you for all that you have given and taught us on a day-to-day basis, for that competitiveness."
Asked about Madrid's winning mentality, he added: "It comes from the greatest, those who give this value to this club: you always win.
"Tomorrow we'll go to celebrate, but they'll tell us to win it again next year!"
Mourinho in 'negotiations' with Fenerbahce over head coach vacancy
Jose Mourinho has "started negotiations" with Fenerbahce over becoming their new head coach, the Turkish Super Lig side has confirmed.
The 61-year-old is reportedly nearing a return to management, five months after he was sacked by Roma.
Fenerbahce are searching for a new boss after parting company with Ismail Kartal on Friday, after he guided them to a second-place finish behind Galatasaray - amassing an impressive 99 points.
And the Yellow Canaries revealed on public disclosure platform KAP - as part of a legal process to alert investors - they are in talks with the decorated Portuguese coach.
"Our company has started negotiations with Jose Mario Dos Santos Mourinho Felix for the post of Football A team coach," the Fenerbahce post read.
Turkey would be the fifth different country in which Mourinho has managed, with the former Real Madrid, Chelsea and Inter coach winning eight domestic titles across four different nations.
He has also won five major European competitions during his managerial career - including two Champions League crowns with Porto and Inter - while guiding Roma to their maiden continental triumph in the inaugural Europa Conference League two years ago.
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