Stephen Darby

Stephen Mark Darby (born 6 October 1988) is an English former professional footballer who played as a right-back. Darby represented England at under-19 level. He was part of the Bradford team that reached the 2013 Football League Cup Final, made over 200 appearances for the club and captained the side for two seasons.

This article is about the English footballer. For the football coach, see Steve Darby. For the 14-century English politician, see Stephen Derby.

Stephen Darby
Darby playing for Rochdale in 2011
Personal information
Full name Stephen Mark Darby[1]
Date of birth (1988-10-06) 6 October 1988
Place of birth Liverpool, England
Height 5 ft 10 in (178 cm)[2]
Playing position(s) Right back
Youth career
0000–2008 Liverpool
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2008–2012 Liverpool 1 (0)
2010 → Swindon Town (loan) 12 (0)
2010–2011 → Notts County (loan) 22 (0)
2011–2012 → Rochdale (loan) 35 (0)
2012–2017 Bradford City 194 (0)
2017–2018 Bolton Wanderers 3 (0)
Total 267 (0)
National team
2007–2008 England U19 2 (0)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only

Early life

Darby was brought up in Maghull, Merseyside, where he attended St. John Bosco's primary school and Maricourt Roman Catholic High School.

Club career

Liverpool

On 18 July 2006[3] Liverpool's official site announced that five academy players have been promoted to Melwood, Darby was one of them. Darby played in Liverpool's FA Youth Cup winning teams in 2006 and 2007 that defeated Manchester City and Manchester United's academies in the finals respectively, captaining the team in the 2006 final. He was first selected for the Liverpool squad which played Turkish side Galatasaray in the group stages of the UEFA Champions League in December 2006, but he was an unused substitute in that match. Despite being on the first team bench he didn't forget his roots and after a four-hour flight from Istanbul to Liverpool he went straight to The Hawthorns and played a full game including extra-time to help the youth team through to the fourth round.[4][5]

During 2007–08 season Darby was the captain of Liverpool's reserves team that ended the campaign as northern and national champions.[6] His performances earned him praises from manager Gary Ablett calling him 'Mr. Consistency'.

His first appearance in a competitive match was as a substitute in Liverpool's League Cup fourth round defeat against Tottenham Hotspur in November 2008.[7]

He made his Champions League debut against PSV Eindhoven on 9 December 2008, coming on as a substitute alongside fellow homegrown players Jay Spearing and Martin Kelly.[8] On 5 July 2009, Darby secured a three-year extension to his contract along with fellow Melwood graduate Jay Spearing.

He made his first competitive start for Liverpool against ACF Fiorentina in the UEFA Champions League on 9 December 2009 in a 2–1 defeat.[9] His second competitive start came against Reading in the FA Cup. The game finished 1–1. Darby was praised by Liverpool centre-back Jamie Carragher for his performance in the game.

Darby made his Premier League debut against Tottenham Hotspur on 20 January 2010, coming on as a substitute in the 90th minute for Philipp Degen.[10]

He was included in Liverpool's 21 man squad for the 2010–11 Premier League season.

He was released by the club at the end of the 2011–12 season.[11]

Swindon

On 11 March 2010, Darby joined Swindon Town on loan for the remainder of the 2009–10 season.[12] He started his first game on 13 March 2010 against Brighton & Hove Albion and played the full 90 minutes at right back.[13] He then took part in the play-off semi final against Charlton Athletic, where he scored the decisive penalty in the shoot-out.

Notts County

On 1 November 2010, Notts County manager and ex-Liverpool player Paul Ince snapped up both Darby and Thomas Ince on a loan deal from Liverpool.[14] He made his County debut on 6 November in an FA Cup 1st round match against Gateshead[15] On 13 November, he started in County's 3–1 league defeat to Exeter City. A week later, he started again in the 1–0 home defeat to Tranmere Rovers. On 23 November, he started and was named Man of the Match in the 1–0 win against one of his former clubs, Swindon. Again he started on 11 December, this time in a win as County defeated the Milton Keynes Dons at home, 2–0. After his loan spell completed on 3 January 2011 he returned to Liverpool. He rejoined County later in January for the remainder of the season, before returning to Liverpool in early May.

Rochdale

On 7 July 2011, Rochdale confirmed the signing of Darby on loan for the 2011–12 campaign.[16][17] He made his debut on 6 August 2011, against Sheffield Wednesday, playing the full 90 minutes in a 2–0 defeat. He was the fans' man of the match in the 0–0 home draw against Carlisle United on 16 August 2011. He made 40 appearances for the club during his season-long loan.

Bradford City

On 4 July 2012, Darby signed for Bradford City on a two-year contract.[18] He made his debut on 11 August 2012 in a 1–0 League Cup win against Notts County.[19] He made his league debut a week later against Gillingham.[20] He made his home debut on 21 August, coming on as a substitute for Nahki Wells in a 1–0 win against Fleetwood Town.[21] On 25 September, he scored the only goal of his career in the 115th minute of a 3–2 win against Burton Albion in the League Cup third round.[22] Bradford went on to reach the final, beating Premier League sides Wigan Athletic, Arsenal and Aston Villa in subsequent rounds.[23][24][25][26]

Darby won 7 awards at the Bradford City end-of-season dinner in May 2014.[27] Darby was made club captain after Gary Jones joined Notts County, and signed a new three-year contract in June 2014.[28] For the 2016–17 season, Darby was replaced by new signing Romain Vincelot as captain, under new manager Stuart McCall.[29][30] In May 2017 it was announced that he would be released at the end of the season, when his contract expired.[31]

Bolton Wanderers

On 7 July 2017, Darby signed a two-year contract at Bolton Wanderers, reuniting with former manager Phil Parkinson.

Retirement

On 18 September 2018, Darby announced his retirement from professional football at the age of 29 after being diagnosed with motor neurone disease.[32]

Personal life

Darby is married to Steph Houghton, captain of Manchester City Women and the England women's national team.[32] They married on 21 June 2018.[33]

Darby set up the Darby Rimmer MND Foundation to fund support for families affected by motor neurone disease, and research a cure.[34] In July 2019 two of his former clubs (Liverpool and Bradford City) held a fundraising match.[35][36][37][38]

Career statistics
As of match played 16 December 2017
Club Season League FA Cup League Cup Other Total
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Liverpool 2008–09[39] Premier League 0000102[lower-alpha 1]030
2009–10[40] 1010001[lower-alpha 1]030
2010–11[41] 0000001[lower-alpha 2]010
Total 1010104070
Swindon Town (loan) 2009–10[40] League One 14000001[lower-alpha 3]0150
Notts County (loan) 2010–11[41] League One 220200000240
Rochdale (loan) 2011–12[42] League One 35000302[lower-alpha 4]0400
Bradford City 2012–13[43] League Two 35030815[lower-alpha 5]0511
2013–14[44] League One 46010101[lower-alpha 4]0490
2014–15[45] League One 45080201[lower-alpha 4]0560
2015–16[46] League One 46050003[lower-alpha 6]0540
2016–17[47] League One 22010006[lower-alpha 7]0290
Total 19401801111602391
Bolton Wanderers 2017–18 Championship 3000200050
Career total 26702101712303281
  1. Appearances in the Champions League
  2. Appearance in the Europa League
  3. Appearances in the League One play-offs
  4. Appearances in the Football League Trophy
  5. Two appearances in the Football League Trophy and three in the League Two play-offs
  6. One appearance in the Football League Trophy and two in the League One play-offs
  7. Five appearances in the EFL Trophy and one in the League One play-offs

International career

Darby was part of England's squad for UEFA European U19 Championship qualifications in May 2007 and made two appearances alongside Liverpool teammates Jack Hobbs, Craig Lindfield and Adam Hammill.[48]

    Honours

    Bradford City

    Individual

    • Bradford City Player of the Year: 2013–14[50]

    References
    1. "Professional retain lists & free transfers 2012/13" (PDF). The Football League. May 2013. p. 55. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2 August 2014. Retrieved 18 June 2013.
    2. "Stephen Darby Player Profile - ESPN FC". www.espnfc.com.
    3. "Five academy players promoted to Melwood". Liverpoolfc.tv. 18 July 2006. Archived from the original on 27 July 2014. Retrieved 20 July 2014.
    4. "One to watch: Stephen Darby". Liverpoolfc.tv. 5 June 2008. Retrieved 1 December 2008.
    5. "Reprint of aforementioned article". xtratime.org. 6 June 2008. Retrieved 20 July 2014.
    6. "Reserves crowned national champions". Liverpoolfc.tv. 7 May 2008. Archived from the original on 15 October 2014. Retrieved 20 July 2014.
    7. "FT: Tottenham 4 Liverpool 2". Sky Sports. 12 November 2008. Retrieved 13 November 2008.
    8. "PSV 1 – Liverpool 3: match report". Liverpoolfc.tv. 9 December 2008. Retrieved 20 July 2014.
    9. "Liverpool 1 – 2 Fiorentina". ESPN. 10 December 2009. Archived from the original on 22 June 2011. Retrieved 20 March 2010.
    10. "Liverpool 2 – 0 Tottenham Hotspur". ESPN. 20 January 2010. Archived from the original on 22 June 2011. Retrieved 20 March 2010.
    11. "Premier League Free Transfer List 2011/12" (PDF). Premier League. Retrieved 1 June 2012.
    12. "Swindon Town sign Liverpool defender Stephen Darby". BBC Sport. 11 March 2010. Retrieved 20 March 2010.
    13. "Brighton 0 – 1 Swindon". BBC Sport. 13 January 2010. Retrieved 20 March 2010.
    14. "Duo complete loan move". Liverpoolfc.tv. 1 November 2010.
    15. "Notts County 2 – 0 Gateshead". BBC Sport. 6 November 2010.
    16. "Defender seals loan switch". Liverpool FC. 7 July 2011. Retrieved 7 July 2011.
    17. "Dale tie up Darby loan". SkySports.com. 7 July 2011.
    18. "City complete Darby deal" Bradford City F.C. 5 July 2012. Retrieved 20 July 2014.
    19. "Notts County 0–1 Bradford" BBC Sport. 11 August 2012. Retrieved 18 August 2012.
    20. "Gillingham 3–1 Bradford" BBC Sport. 18 August 2012. Retrieved 18 August 2012.
    21. "Bradford 1–0 Fleetwood" BBC Sport. 21 August 2012. Retrieved 24 August 2012.
    22. "Bradford 3–2 Burton" BBC Sport. 25 September 2012. Retrieved 25 September 2012.
    23. "Wigan 0-0 Bradford" BBC Sport. 30 October 2012. Retrieved 12 July 2015.
    24. "Bradford 1-1 Arsenal (3-2 pens)" BBC Sport. 11 December 2012. Retrieved 12 July 2015.
    25. "Bradford City 3-1 Aston Villa" BBC Sport. 8 January 2013. Retrieved 12 July 2015.
    26. "Aston Villa 2-1 Bradford (3-4)" BBC Sport. 22 January 2013. Retrieved 12 July 2015.
    27. "DARBY DOMINATES PLAYER OF THE YEAR AWARDS". Bradford City A.F.C. 7 May 2014. Retrieved 7 May 2014.
    28. "New Bradford City captain Stephen Darby signs for three more years" Telegraph and Argus. 9 June 2014. Retrieved 12 July 2015.
    29. Simon Parker (13 October 2016). "Remain Vincelot: Bradford City skipper stays put at back". Telegraph & Argus. Retrieved 14 October 2016.
    30. Simon Parker (14 October 2016). "Darby aiming to give Bradford City boss more headaches". Telegraph & Argus. Retrieved 14 October 2016.
    31. "TRIO TO DEPART THE CLUB". Bradford City A.F.C. 24 May 2017. Retrieved 24 May 2017.
    32. "Stephen Darby: Motor neurone disease diagnosis forces Bolton full-back to retire". BBC Sport. 18 September 2018. Retrieved 18 September 2018.
    33. "Disease forces Stephen Darby to quit football at 29". Metro Newspaper UK. Retrieved 1 May 2019.
    34. Chief Football Correspondent, Oliver Kay (13 July 2019). "'Stephen Darby is more worried about his friends, family and Steph than himself'". The Times.
    35. "Bradford City v Liverpool play in front of 24,343 in aid of Stephen Darby Foundation". BBC Sport. 15 July 2019.
    36. "Watch: Stephen Darby's speech ahead of Bantams v Liverpool friendly". Bradford Telegraph and Argus.
    37. "Emotional day as fans pack out Valley Parade to honour Darby". Bradford Telegraph and Argus.
    38. "Liverpool and Bradford City salute Valley Parade hero Stephen Darby". www.yorkshirepost.co.uk.
    39. "Games played by Stephen Darby in 2008/2009". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 12 July 2015.
    40. "Games played by Stephen Darby in 2009/2010". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 12 July 2015.
    41. "Games played by Stephen Darby in 2010/2011". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 12 July 2015.
    42. "Games played by Stephen Darby in 2011/2012". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 12 July 2015.
    43. "Games played by Stephen Darby in 2012/2013". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 12 July 2015.
    44. "Games played by Stephen Darby in 2013/2014". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 12 July 2015.
    45. "Games played by Stephen Darby in 2014/2015". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 12 July 2015.
    46. "Games played by Stephen Darby in 2015/2016". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 12 July 2015.
    47. "Games played by Stephen Darby in 2016/2017". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 19 December 2016.
    48. "Lions grab consolation". TheFA.com. 20 May 2007. Archived from the original on 29 October 2007. Retrieved 6 December 2008.
    49. "Stephen Darby – Defender". www.soccerbase.com. Retrieved 30 December 2019.
    50. "DARBY DOMINATES PLAYER OF THE YEAR AWARDS - News - Bradford City". www.bradfordcityfc.co.uk. Retrieved 1 May 2019.
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