A year has passed since he announced his devastating diagnosis, but Marcus Stewart continues to be struck by how his friends in football have rallied round.
‘Everyone has stepped up,’ says the former Ipswich and Sunderland striker, who is battling motor neurone disease. ‘So many people have been in touch — old team-mates, managers.
‘I know for a fact that they are not doing it to highlight their profile because it’s a one-on-one conversation. They are not saying it in the press. It is a genuine, “I hope you are OK?”. I appreciate it.’
The latest example of an old football friend stepping up comes on the day Mail Sport speaks to Stewart.