Kenton: Darren Edward (Darren)

2008-2008 (Player Details)

Full Back/Midfield

Born: Wandsworth: 13-09-1978

Debut: v Crewe Alexandra (a): 12-01-2008

5’9” 11st 2lb (2007)

Kenton started his career at Norwich City in 1997. He played in the successful Norwich youth side of 1996/97 on either side of the defence. He progressed into the first team and made his debut in October 1997 against Tranmere. He made another ten appearances during the 1997/98 season and was a regular under Bruce Rioch. Kenton was transfer-listed in mid-August 1999, but came off the list in December 1999, signing a one year extension to his contract. Supposedly Rioch gave him an ultimatum to sign the contract on offer or forget it. Kenton's hopes of a big money move elsewhere had diminished when no clubs made any approach for him. He had an excellent 2000/01 season especially under new manager Nigel Worthington. In January 2001, Darren signed another new contract that would keep him at Norwich until 2003. A second strong season followed as he helped the Canaries to the Division One play-off final in 2001/02. In October 2002, media speculation linked Kenton with a move to the Premiership Newcastle United. When the January 2003 transfer window opened, a number of Premiership clubs including Newcastle, Birmingham and Southampton were all linked with Kenton, who missed the clash with Grimsby on 28th December 2002 allegedly to preserve his fitness for the shop window! The link with the Southampton grew. However Arsenal, West Bromwich Albion and Manchester City had also been added to the list of admirers. Although no move was made during the transfer window, Kenton was still linked with a move to the Premiership. It was reported in March 2003 that Everton were looking to sign Kenton to replace their star defender Joseph Yobo. Kenton failed to agree a new contract with the club after they failed to reach the Premiership or play-offs at the end of the 2002/03. He expressed his desire to leave. Norwich agreed to terminate his contract on 2nd May 2003 rather than the contracted date of 30th June. Kenton had made onehundred and seventy-five appearances for Norwich, nineteen as substitute, and had scored nine goals. He finally signed for the Saints in mid May 2003, on a free-transfer. After a season plagued with injury, Kenton finally came good with some “Man of the Match” performances at the end of the 2003/4 season. There was talk that Crystal Palace manager Iain Dowie was interested on 13th June 2004. On 3rd March 2005, Darren was loaned to Leicester City, where he had ten starts and one game as a substitute. He returned to Southampton but suffered from mumps. Kenton scored his only goal for Southampton in an FA Cup match against MK Dons on 7th January 2006. At the beginning of May 2006, Southampton announced that they would not be offering Kenton a new contract and so he was seeking a new club. He made twenty-eight starts and five appearances from the bench for the Saints. His new club was Leicester with whom Darren signed a two year contract on 27th June 2006. He started the 2006–07 Championship season well and apart from an own goal against West Bromwich Albion was going well, but injury has plagued him over the past few months and is only just returning to first team action. He scored his first goal for the club in a 4–2 defeat away to Stoke City and got his second of the season in a 2–1 loss against Norwich City. On 19th June 2007, Kenton was placed on the transfer list by then manager Martin Allen. However, injuries to other players saw a recall into the senior squad, playing in midfield position. This came to an end however on 10th January 2008 when he joined Leeds United on a one month loan deal. He had played twenty-nine starts and seven games from the bench, scoring twice in his second spell with the Foxes. He then had his Leicester contract terminated by mutual consent on 31st January 2008, joining Leeds permanently on the same day. Leeds Assistant Manager Dave Bassett thought he was a similar player to Rui Marques, who was away from the club on African Nations duty, hence Kenton’s signing. He was released by Leeds at the end of the 2007-08 season. He joined Cheltenham Town on 2nd October 2008. He scored once in thirteen starts in the League and also started two games in the F.A. Cup. He did not accept an extended contract and consequently left Cheltenham on 6th January 2009. He had an ubsuccessful trial with Toronto F.C. in February 2009 before signing a one year contact with Rochester Rhinos on 9th April 2009. He had scored once in fourteen games at the end of September 2009.