Mark O'Brien

[MadAmster]

Newport County's Mark O'Brien has been forced to retire at the age of 27 because he needs "heart surgery which will prevent him from carrying on with his playing career".

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/53053970

This takes me back to the period when I was a regular visitor to Moor Farm. Twice a year with groups of UEFA B students for a week's practical experience and 3 or 4 times a year planning the next trip and discussing football with the coaching staff.

One trip was just after Mark had signed. There was a junior game in which he played. He had half a dozen family members over and I spent much of the game watching with and talking with his family. At the end of the game, Mark came over to chat to the family, I turned to give them privacy and was introduced to him and I was part of the family natter. Grand lad and a great prospect whose career unfortunately took a different direction when his heart problem was discovered. I've followed his career from a distance and it hasn't been the one I thought he would have when I first saw him.

He has had some luck in that he got this far, albeit not at the sharp end of the game where he was expected to be, but that seems now to have run out.

All the best, Mark, in whatever you go on to do with the rest of your life.

[AdiSalisbury]

Yes best of luck to the chap

[macstheman]

Fingers crossed his surgery goes well. All the best for the future for the lad, I am sure there will be a role for him in the game after he comes through this dark period.