Ipswich Town: Marcus Stewart on BBC Breakfast for MND

Stewart, who scored the goals to fire Ipswich Town to the Premier League in 2000, featured on Monday morning's broadcast alongside Stephen Darby.

Darby, 35, was diagnosed with MND in 2018, while 51-year-old Stewart revealed he had the condition in September 2022.

Before the interview between the pair started, Stewart helped former Liverpool and Bradford City defender Darby, who has difficulties moving and speaking due to the condition, to his seat.

Marcus Stewart in his playing days for Ipswich Town (Image: Newsquest)

Stewart revealed the "first thing" he wanted to do after his diagnosis was get in contact with someone else with MND, and emailed Darby as he was also a footballer.

He asked Darby if he still feels strong and said he does "mentally", although admitting he needs help to move about.

Darby asked the same question back to Stewart, who said: "I do. I think that football background, being in elite sport, although you don't know it at the time it kind of prepares you for what's happening now a little bit, psychologically."

However, Stewart admitted that he cannot "grip anything" with his left hand now.

He said he could pick up his phone from his car seat about 18 months ago, but is no longer able to do so.

The interview was recorded at Anfield, where Stewart famously scored the winner for Town against Liverpool in December 2000.

The players went down pitchside and Stewart recalled the moment.

He said: "I think Markus Babbel dived in, and I had to take it at that moment with my right foot – I'm left-footed!

"I remember [team-mate] Jim Magilton – he was brought up as a Liverpool player – and he was happier than I was."

Stewart has previously praised Ipswich Town's support in the fight against MND – with the Blues donating £2 from every home shirt sold last July to the Darby Rimmer MND Foundation.