FRIENDS have gathered together to support a former Warrington Wolves player after he was diagnosed with motor neurone disease.

Paul Darbyshire served the club for 18 years before he contracted the neurological condition in September last year.

The 41-year-old, who currently works as a conditioning coach at Munster rugby union club in Ireland and hopes to continue there until the end of the season in May, said: “I was obviously devastated by the news and how it would affect my family.

“I'm staying positive and my wife Lyndsay and four kids Ella, Georgia, Jack and Harry have been a tower of strength.

“I'd like to express my sincere thanks to my close friends at home and in Ireland who have been there for us over the past few months.”

The illness is affecting Paul’s speech and making eating and swallowing very difficult.

He has lost two stone in weight and is also suffering from weakness in his limbs.

Paul added: “The staff and players at Munster have been fantastic and have given me every help and support that I could wish for.

“They’re a real family over there which is why they are so successful and I can’t thank them enough.”

In the seven years leading to his move to Munster in 2007, Paul had been an assistant to four successive Wolves head coaches.

As a player, he made his name as a tenacious tackler and aggressive ball carrier.

Now Ricky Sergent, a coach from Paul’s son Jack’s football team and friends will be cycling from rugby stadium Musgrave Park, Cork to Warrington to raise awareness and cash for Paul’s illness in June.

Wolves hooker Jon Clarke, brother of Paul’s wife Lyndsay, cannot take part in the bike ride but is hoping fans will support the cause.

He said: “I will be leaving sponsorship sheets at the club and hope as many fans as possible will sponsor the bike ride.

“My brother-in-law would be overwhelmed if they could.”

Paul thanked Ricky Sergent who came up with the idea, adding: “The organisation and training that has gone into this is massive and we hope that by working together with MND associations in UK and Ireland we can raise funds and awareness.”

For more on the ride, see next week’s Warrington Guardian.