Stephen Darby MND walk begins at emotional Valley Parade

Valley Parade had its priorities right this morning as the football community dug deep for two of their own.

Stephen Darby, back on familiar territory, as well as former Huddersfield striker Marcus Stewart were at the forefront of March of the Day, the latest fund-raising walk in the battle with MND.

The sun shone on the mass of old team-mates, club staff and supporters who were donning their walking boots for the first leg of a trek that will eventually reach Anfield on Sunday afternoon.

Stephen Darby officially starts the March of the Day (Image: Tom Pearson)

It was great to see so many familiar faces from City’s successful past so keen to return and do their bit.

Nick Allamby was the fitness coach during the Phil Parkinson era.

“The times we had here were absolutely magical,” he said. “It was a great group of players and the gentleman we have come to support exemplified all that success.

“The fans saw what Darbs did on the pitch, not only in those massive games but in all the others. He was always consistent.

“People don’t see what goes on in the background and Stephen Darby set standards for all the players and that’s why he’s so respected.

“We were really structured every day and we worked really hard. He was nine out of 10 in every single session all through the season.

“For us as staff, he was the driving force within the dressing room. I’ve been lucky enough to work in all four divisions and Stephen’s up there with the best.”

Allamby, who is now head of athletic development at Middlesbrough, recalled the day that Darby broke the news about his condition.

“We were at Bolton when he got the original diagnosis and I remember him coming in to explain.

“But he told us not to be upset and that he was going to meet it head on just like any other challenge. He has done just that and remains truly inspirational.”

The huge turn-out of both players and supporters for the cause came as no surprise.

“It just shows how much he’s adored by the people at Bradford,” said City goalkeeping coach Colin Doyle.

“It’s good to see the old faces and hopefully we’ll raise a lot of money and awareness.

“It puts things in perspective. What Darbs and his family are going through must be so hard for them.

“But if we can raise as much money as possible hopefully that can go some way towards trying to find a cure. Please donate anything you can.”

Fellow sufferer Rob Burrow and his wife Lindsey were there (Image: Tom Pearson)

Former Bantams teammate Tony McMahon was having a laugh and a chat with Darby before the walk set off.

He admitted: “It still really hasn’t sunk in from the day everyone found out until now.

“It’s so, so sad and really heart-breaking. But the least we can do is keep in touch with him and turn up and show our support.

“We speak regularly and it brings back good memories. It’s an emotional day.”

A first team coach at National League York, McMahon skipped their training session ahead of tomorrow’s trip to Bromley to be at Valley Parade.

“As soon as we got the call, it was a case of, ‘yeah, no problem, we’re doing it.’ “Everything gets put to one side and this is the priority as it has been since the day it was announced.

“It’s still a special club and we all had good times here.”

READ MORE: Bantams boss inspired by Darby's words in dressing room

Darby was reminding Stuart McCall about a throw-in routine that he perfected with Rory McArdle.

“He’s the best professional that I’ve ever managed,” said McCall. “He epitomises everything you want in a player and a person.

“I can’t do the walk because I’m struggling with the knee. But it was good to come down and see his family – and they are all Evertonians apart from Stephen!

“We were reminiscing about a couple of games and laughing about a control of the ball between him and Rory. It was Darbs who brought it up, talking about this throw-in we used to do.

“He’s got a far better memory than me. It must be hard to stay so mentally strong but he hasn’t lost that sense of humour.”

McCall recalled the 3-3 draw with Sheffield United at Valley Parade when both teams were going great guns near the top of League One.

Stephen Darby talks with Marcus Stewart before the walk (Image: Tom Pearson)

He decided to leave out Darby to play McArdle at right back to match the Blades’ physicality.

“Rory had hardly ever played there and that was his mate. I explained why I’d done it for this one game and Stephen got it and understood.

“After training on a Friday, him and Rory used to go and do 10 headers each and a few sprints.

“You can imagine what Stephen must have felt after I’d picked Rory in his position. The last thing I’d want to do as a player would be to go and do some running and passing with him.

“Rory was walking in a bit sheepish but Darbs was like, ‘c’mon, let’s go, we’ve got our routine to do.’

“I thought, ‘wow’, what a focus. It was never about him as an individual, it was about the team.”

Now the team are doing all they can to support a very special individual.

You can donate HERE towards March of the Day.