SBW Meets: Mark O'Brien (Patreon taster)

Steve Bloomer's Washing

This is a shorter, taster version of a podcast from the SBW Patreon - to hear the full, 45 minute episode and get loads of other exclusive Derby County content, hit the link below - you can even try our Patreon without paying by using our 7-day free trial.

www.patreon.com/stevebloomerswashing

Our latest guest for our October Patreon special is a former Ram with a unique footballing story.

Mark O'Brien had his whole career ahead of him when he broke into the Derby County team as a teenager in 2009, but the Irish centre back's life was turned upside down when he was diagnosed with a life-threatening heart condition which could later force him to retire from football aged just 27.

Despite two major heart surgeries and a string of knee and cruciate issues, 'O.B.' still clocked up more than 200 professional appearances for Derby, Luton and later Newport County, where his first ever professional goal kept the Welsh side in the football league on the final day in 2017.

Mark told his story to Chris and Tom - and a couple of our SBW Patrons - and spoke openly about his own mortality, 'never giving up', and the influence and Nigel Clough and Steve McClaren on his career.

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