James Milner has led a brilliant charity tribute in aid of former Liverpool defender Stephen Darby ahead of Sunday's clash with Bradford City.
The Bantams are using their pre-season friendly with Jurgen Klopp 's side to help raise awareness for the 30-year-old's new foundation, The Darby Rimmer MND Foundation, after he was forced to retire from football last year after being diagnosed with motor neurone disease.
Stephen Darby and Chris Rimmer took to the pitch ahead of Liverpool's friendly away to Bradford to raise awareness of the foundation and condition.
Stephen said: “I just want to say how great it is to be back here. We were back in November and mentioned we were setting up a foundation, and I'm proud to say we’re here now with the foundation ready to go.
“I’d like to say a massive thank you to Bradford and Liverpool and a big thank you to Gary Bowyer and Jurgen Klopp for allowing the Foundation to be a part of their pre-season.
“Without the support of those two football clubs, today simply doesn’t happen. Thank you very much.”
Starting his career at Liverpool, Darby went on to play for Bradford before moving to Bolton Wanderers.
And members of staff at Bolton Wanderers and Bradford City are also showing their support by taking part in a ‘Distance For Darbs’ fundraiser later this month as they walk 65 miles across three days (July 26-28) from Bradford City’s home, the Northern Commercials Stadium, to Anfield via Bolton Wanderers’ University of Bolton Stadium.
Ahead of their walk, staff-members started the 'Stephen Darby Baby' challenge where individuals sing the defender's terrace chant from his time at Bradford, to the tune of 'Don’t you want me baby', before nominating others to do the same.
Former Liverpool stars Jay Spearing and Stephen Warnock have already taken on the challenge, the former dusting off his vocal skills alongside current Blackpool team-mates on top of a rollercoaster earlier this month.
Meanwhile, Warnock challenged Milner to take on the challenge when performing his own rendition.
And on the eve of Liverpool's trip to Bradford, the Reds vice-captain rose to the occasion alongside a few 'talentless backing singers'.
It doesn’t matter how badly you sing... let’s hear you belt out this tune at the game tomorrow! And please help raise money for @Distance_Darbs if you can #distanceforDarbs #StephenDarbyBaby pic.twitter.com/zmCCoC9y0v
— James Milner (@JamesMilner) July 13, 2019
Joined by the Liverpool squad ahead of training, including returning quartet Jordan Henderson, Virgil van Dijk, Gini Wijnaldum and Trent Alexander-Arnold , Champions League hero Divock Origi and manager Klopp, Milner brilliantly leads the group in singing 'Stephen Darby baby'.
Milner then nominates all the fans attending Sunday's pre-season fixture to take on the challenge themselves at the Northern Commercials Stadium.
Speaking after training, Klopp revealed how important he felt it was Liverpool show their support for Darby.
"It was a rare moment when awareness on social media can make sense, I would say! That’s why we did it and it was good fun," he told the club website .
"Football is only a game, but sometimes we can do some especially good things – and in this case, for Stephen Darby, which is very, very important. We know that and hopefully it will help."
'Distance for Darbs' has so far raised £2,145. To donate, please visit the event’s JustGiving page HERE .
Motor neurone disease (MND) describes a group of conditions that affect the nerves (motor neurones) in the brain and spinal cord.
