Sunderland boss Tony Mowbray says he is 'devastated' to learn his friend and former Ipswich teammate Marcus Stewart has been diagnosed with motor neurone disease. Striker Stewart, who spent three years at Sunderland in the early-2000s, revealed this afternoon that he is living with the condition.
The 49-year-old is currently head of player development at National League Yeovil Town and intends to continue working in football despite his diagnosis with the disease, which is a progressive condition of the brain and nerves which can significantly shorten a person's lifespan. There is no cure, although there are treatments to reduce its impact on daily life, and some people can live with the condition for many years.
"I would like to take the opportunity to thank those closest to me for their unwavering support since my recent diagnosis," said Stewart, who spent three years at Sunderland in the early-to-mid 2000s. "As I take the time to adjust, my intention is to continue to enjoy my work in football and spend time with my family.
