Back to the Middlesbrough Newsfeed

Matt Crooks: Middlesbrough forward on epilepsy and raising money in friend's memory

Middlesbrough forward Matt Crooks has been on a journey during his career to get to Tuesday's Carabao Cup semi-final first leg against Premier League side Chelsea.

Not just in terms of his literal journey, which has taken in such varied locations as Huddersfield, Halifax, Hartlepool, Accrington, Rangers, Scunthorpe, Northampton and Rotherham.

Away from the highly competitive, dog-eat-dog world of professional football, the 29-year-old has lived his adult life with epilepsy, lost a long-time footballing friend, and grown up in a family with deaf parents and other deaf relatives.

This is not your average sportsperson.

Football and epilepsy

Crooks was diagnosed with epilepsy aged 18, right when his journey to becoming a professional was blossoming at Huddersfield Town.