During an emotionally charged gathering at his Curving Avenue residence yesterday, friends, family and colleagues threw their support around former PHC Zebras and Bermuda international footballer Marischal (Mop) Astwood.

Astwood, 53, was diagnosed last February with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) or Lou Gehrig?s disease ? named after the late New York Yankees captain who succumbed to the illness.

ALS is the most common form of motor neuron disease (a progressive, degenerative disorder that affects nerves in the upper or lower parts of the body). It is a progressive and ultimately fatal neuromuscular disease that causes nerve cells to degenerate and muscles to weaken and become immobile.

?All I can encourage others is not to take anything for granted as I have now found out,? a wheelchair confined Astwood told . ?I never thought something like this would happen to me, but it did.?

Motor neuron disease (MDS) usually occurs in people between the ages of 40 to 70 with the average age 55.

Exhibiting the determination that propelled him to legendary status at PHC, Astwood, though heavily restricted physically, remains a pillar of strength in spirit.

?Fortunately, he?s always been a mentally tough guy,? said Astwood?s brother, well-known sailor Glen. ?His spirit has helped lift others because he?s taken things on the chin and shaken it off, which has made it a bit easier for us.?

Social Club president and former Zebras player Fred (Pinks) Lewis ? a long-time friend of Astwood ? concurred.

?Ever since I?ve known Mop he has always been mentally strong,? he said. ?And that has helped me to also come to grips with his disease. The way he is taking things in stride has helped me tremendously and like he said, ?you can?t take anything for granted?.?

Former Zebras? coach Alfie Eve, also present during yesterday?s gathering, declined to comment, but he, his predecessor, Leroy (Nibs) Lewis and team-mates Cecil Robinson, Kenny and Randall Burt and Ed (Beaver) Burrows, long-time friend and PHC trainer Ellie Wilson have all supported Astwood, who spends most of his time these days confined to his Pembroke home.

?They all drop by to check me out and make sure everything is alright,? Astwood said.

Two benefit matches featuring newly-crowned triple crown champions North Village, Bermuda?s Under-20 national squad, Social Club and PHC along with invited guest players have now been scheduled for the National Sports Centre on Friday, May 26, to help raise funds for the former star.

A raffle draw for travel vouchers and various other gifts will be held at Social Club on June 23.

A special publication highlighting Astwood?s distinguished playing career will also be available for purchase early next month, according to PHC president Chris Furbert.

Part proceeds from the publication will go towards funding upcoming tours of England and the US by two representative sides from PHC?s youth development programme.

?We take so many things for granted in life and think things like this will never happen to us,? Furbert said.

?From the time I?ve known him (Astwood) he was always an individual who led by example. The years that he put into PHC as a player were certainly something for other players to look up to.?

Astwood was a member of Zebras? 1970-71 triple crown championship team and Cal (Bummy) Symonds? PHC team of 1979-80 that took the FA Cup into the Bermuda Football Association (BFA) Second Division ? the equivalent of today?s First Division.

?Mop was respected both as a player and individual,? Furbert said. ?He has basically been a player at PHC over the years that everyone has looked up to.

?And now that he is in the situation that he is now . . . it is only right for others to rally around him and provide him with the support he needs at this difficult time.?