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Darren Huckerby

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Darren Huckerby
Huckerby in 2011
Personal information
Full name Darren Carl Huckerby[1]
Date of birth (1976-04-23) 23 April 1976 (age 48)
Place of birth Nottingham, England
Position(s) Forward
Team information
Current team
 Norwich City
(Academy Coach)
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1993–1995 Lincoln City 28 (5)
1995–1996 Newcastle United 1 (0)
1996 → Millwall (loan) 6 (3)
1996–1999 Coventry City 94 (28)
1999–2000 Leeds United 40 (2)
2000–2003 Manchester City 69 (22)
2003 → Nottingham Forest (loan) 9 (5)
2003 → Norwich City (loan) 16 (5)
2003–2008 Norwich City 174 (36)
2008–2009 San Jose Earthquakes 28 (9)
Total 465 (115)
International career
1998 England B 1 (0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Darren Carl Huckerby (born 23 April 1976) is an English football coach and former professional footballer.

As a player, he was a forward who notably played in the Premier League for Newcastle United, Coventry City, Leeds United, Manchester City and Norwich City. He also featured for Lincoln City, Millwall and Nottingham Forest. He finished his career by playing in the United States in Major League Soccer for San Jose Earthquakes. He was capped once at England B level.

Following retirement, he had a spell as academy coach for the Under 16s of former club Norwich City.[2]

Club career

[edit]

Lincoln City

[edit]

Huckerby was born in Nottingham, England. His mother is of partial Georgian descent. Huckerby started playing professionally for Lincoln City in Football League Division Three. Huckerby was promoted to the first team at Sincil Bank by Keith Alexander, but also played under the stewardship of both Sam Ellis and Steve Wicks before being sold in 1995. He finished his spell with Lincoln having scored 5 goals in 28 league appearances.

Newcastle United

[edit]

Huckerby made a three division step up by signing for Premier League title contenders Newcastle United in a £400,000 deal in 1995. Despite being highly rated by the fans and pundits, Huckerby found first team chances severely limited, especially since manager Kevin Keegan decided to scrap the reserve team, in response to a requirement from the FA that a certain percentage of home reserve fixtures be played at St James' Park. Keegan believed that this would negatively affect the pitch condition, which was already in poor state. This of course meant that, with no reserve team football, Huckerby was not match fit for the majority of his time on Tyneside. Huckerby made only two appearances for the Magpies (one in the league and one in the FA Cup),[3][4] before being loaned out to Millwall. Huckerby then joined Coventry City for £1 million in time for the start of the next season, signed by then City boss Gordon Strachan.

Coventry City

[edit]

The striker's pace and dribbling ability, combined with a very successful partnership with Dion Dublin saw Huckerby play a key role at Coventry. Huckerby and Dublin's partnership did not go unnoticed and earned Huckerby a call up to the England B squad, whilst Dublin managed call ups to the full squad, under Glenn Hoddle. Huckerby played a major role in Coventry's Premier League survival, culminating with a final day 2–1 win at Tottenham Hotspur in 1997. His success with the Sky Blues continued throughout the following season as Coventry enjoyed a ten-game unbeaten run and reached the quarter finals of the FA Cup, narrowly losing on penalties to Sheffield United. Huckerby scored several goals, most notably the winner in a 3–2 victory over Manchester United at Highfield Road, a dazzling run past a few defenders before slotting past Kevin Pilkington. He notched up 14 goals that season, his best Premier League return of goals.

Leeds United

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He was sold to Leeds United the following summer for a reputed £6 million. In his time at Elland Road, he scored two goals in 40 league games, once against former club Coventry City[5] and another against Watford.[6] He had to compete for a place in the team with some players such as Mark Viduka, Alan Smith and Michael Bridges and as a result he was never a regular, although he did score against Partizan Belgrade in the 1999–2000 UEFA Cup,[7] and in a 6–0 win against Beşiktaş in the 2000–01 Champions League.[8] In all competitions, he scored six goals in total.

Manchester City

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Manchester City signed him in December 2000 for £3.38 million, as they attempted to avoid relegation. Huckerby scored on his debut against Charlton Athletic, albeit in a 4-1 defeat.[9] Although the club did eventually go down, he stayed on and won a First Division championship medal, adding 26 goals in all competitions during the campaign, including two hat-tricks.

Huckerby started the new campaign as first choice, and scored the team's first goal of the season, a header against former employer Newcastle that secured a 1–0 win.[10] However, the arrivals of Nicolas Anelka and Jon Macken meant less playing time, and he eventually ended up playing out the end of the season on-loan to Nottingham Forest,[11] being part of the team that reached the Division One playoffs in 2003.

Norwich City

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Huckerby spent a three-month loan spell with Norwich City, before signing permanently in December 2003, for a fee of £750,000, which rose to £1 million when the Canaries were promoted at the end of the season. At Norwich, Huckerby's career settled, and he netted 14 league goals in the First Division in the 2003–04 season. He was instrumental in Norwich's march to the First Division championship in 2003–04, and came second in the supporters vote for player of the season behind Craig Fleming.

Reverting to a left wing role for much of Norwich's Premier League spell in 2004–05, Huckerby scored seven goals. He was linked with a transfer to either Liverpool or Celtic the following summer, but spoke of his intention to see out his contract in East Anglia.[12]

He was voted Norwich City player of the year by supporters in 2004–05 and 2006–07, and placed second behind Gary Doherty for the 2005–06 season, winning the award twice and adding two runner-up positions in his first four seasons. He was voted into the Norwich City Hall of Fame in 2004. On 13 April 2008, he played his 200th game for Norwich, in the East Anglian Derby against Ipswich Town.

On 4 May 2008, Huckerby scored in his final game for the club in a 4–1 defeat away at Sheffield Wednesday.[13] Two days later, it was announced that his contract would not be renewed as he could not be guaranteed a place in the first team in the 2008–09 season.[14][15] This upset fans who felt that Huckerby, a fan favourite, deserved a proper farewell. However, an opportunity was made with a special tribute at a 'Greatest Ever' event at Carrow Road held later in May.[16]

Huckerby signing autographs for San Jose Earthquakes fans

In 2012, Huckerby returned to Carrow Road to play in Adam Drury's testimonial match against Celtic, coming on in the 76th minute showing his trademark bursts of pace and skill. Former Celtic and Norwich striker John Hartson who was co-commentating on Setanta Sports claimed he looked fit and sharp enough still to be playing professionally.[17]

San Jose Earthquakes

[edit]

Huckerby moved to the United States joining Major League Soccer club, San Jose Earthquakes in July 2008.[18] MLS rules at the time dictated that Toronto FC owned the right to sign Huckerby. To acquire those rights, San Jose traded allocation money and use of an international roster slot for the 2008 through 2013 seasons to Toronto.[19]

He made his debut on 19 July 2008 against Toronto, in a 0–0 draw, and scored his first goal against New York Red Bulls on 27 July. In a crucial match for the Earthquakes, on 3 August 2008, Huckerby scored his second goal, against Los Angeles Galaxy, in a 3–2 Earthquakes win. On 30 August, he headed in the winning goal in the side's 2–1 victory over Kansas City Wizards, extending San Jose's unbeaten streak to seven games. During this stretch, Huckerby notched three goals and three assists.

On 11 November 2008, it was announced that Huckerby had won the 2008 MLS Newcomer of the Year Award.[20]

During the 2009 Major League Soccer season, Huckerby underwent surgery to eliminate his hip injury.[21] However, on 16 September 2009, at age 33, Huckerby announced that he was '99% sure' of his retirement.[22][23]

International career

[edit]

Huckerby made one appearance with the England B team in 1998.

Coaching career

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He is a former academy coach for the Under 16s at Premier League side Norwich City.[24]

Personal life

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Huckerby lives in Keswick, south Norfolk.[25] His son Tom is also a footballer, who plays for Wroxham.[26]

After retiring from football in 2009, Huckerby returned to playing football in the Masters Tournament in June 2011 in which he scored 8 goals in the Yorkshire Masters for his old club Leeds United. In the Grand Masters final Huckerby added a further 6 goals to his tally, making him overall tournament golden boot winner with 14 goals. Leeds were overall runners up in the tournament, losing 8–3 to Rangers in the final.[27]

On 14 April 2013, Huckerby played in a charity game at Lowestoft Town's Crown Meadow ground. He played for the ex professionals against a select eleven which included students from Lowestoft College.

Career statistics

[edit]
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition[28]
Club Season League National cup League cup Continental Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Lincoln City 1993–94 Third Division 6 1 0 0 0 0 — — 6 1
1994–95 6 2 0 0 0 0 — — 6 2
1995–96 16 2 0 0 2 0 — — 18 2
Total 28 5 0 0 2 0 — — 30 5
Newcastle United 1995–96 Premier League 1 0 1 0 0 0 — — 2 0
Total 1 0 1 0 0 0 — — 2 0
Millwall 1996–97 Second Division 6 3 0 0 0 0 — — 6 3
Total 6 3 0 0 0 0 — — 6 3
Coventry City 1996–97 Premier League 25 5 4 2 0 0 — — 29 7
1997–98 34 14 5 1 1 0 — — 40 15
1998–99 34 9 3 3 2 0 — — 39 12
1999-00 1 0 0 0 0 0 — — 1 0
Total 94 28 12 6 3 0 — — 109 34
Leeds United 1999-00 Premier League 33 2 3 0 1 0 9 1 46 3
2000–01 7 0 0 0 1 2 3 1 11 3
Total 40 2 3 0 2 2 12 2 57 6
Manchester City 2000–01 Premier League 13 1 3 1 0 0 0 0 16 2
2001–02 First Division 40 20 3 1 3 5 0 0 46 26
2002–03 Premier League 16 1 1 0 2 1 0 0 19 2
Total 69 22 7 2 5 6 0 0 81 30
Nottingham Forest 2002–03 First Division 9 5 — — — — — — 9 5
Total 9 5 — — — — — — 9 5
Norwich City 2003–04 First Division 36 14 1 0 0 0 — — 37 14
2004–05 Premier League 37 6 1 0 2 1 — — 40 7
2005–06 Championship 43 8 0 0 2 1 — — 45 9
2006–07 40 8 4 5 0 0 — — 44 13
2007–08 34 5 2 0 1 0 — — 37 5
Total 190 41 8 5 5 2 — — 203 48
San Jose Earthquakes 2008 Major League Soccer 14 6 — — — — — — 14 6
2009 14 3 — — — — — — 11 3
Total 28 9 — — — — — — 25 9
Career total 465 115 31 13 17 10 12 2 522 140

Honours

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Manchester City

Norwich City

Individual

References

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  1. ^ Hugman, Barry J., ed. (2008). The PFA Footballers' Who's Who 2008–09. Mainstream Publishing. p. 211. ISBN 978-1-84596-324-8.
  2. ^ "Darren Huckerby is promoted as part of Norwich City academy shake-up". 8 July 2015.
  3. ^ "Gullit puts Newcastle on the spot". Independent. 18 January 1996. Retrieved 27 February 2023.
  4. ^ "Football: Newcastle have reason to fear the Beardsley factor". Independent. 17 January 1998. Retrieved 27 February 2023.
  5. ^ Culley, Jon (11 September 1999). "The day Hedman lost his head". The Independent. London. Retrieved 6 November 2009.
  6. ^ Taylor, Daniel (3 May 2000). "Leeds ready to join Europe's elite". The Guardian. London. Retrieved 6 November 2009.
  7. ^ "Leeds United 1 Partizan Belgrade 0". OzWhiteLUFC. 30 September 1999. Retrieved 6 November 2009.
  8. ^ Shaw, Phil (26 September 2000). "Leeds in overdrive to belittle Beşiktaş". The Independent. London. Retrieved 6 November 2009.
  9. ^ "Sorry City gift Addicks vital win". BBC. 30 December 2000. Retrieved 27 February 2023.
  10. ^ "Huckerby haunts Magpies". BBC. 24 August 2002. Retrieved 27 February 2023.
  11. ^ "Forest seal Huckerby deal". BBC Sport. 13 February 2003. Retrieved 17 August 2011.
  12. ^ "BBC Sport - Darren Huckerby admits regret at manner of Norwich City exit". BBC Sport. 11 October 2011. Retrieved 22 December 2013.
  13. ^ "Sheff Wed 4–1 Norwich". BBC Sport. 4 May 2008. Retrieved 13 July 2008.
  14. ^ "Canaries release forward Huckerby". BBC Sport. 6 May 2008. Retrieved 13 July 2008.
  15. ^ "Roeder explains Huckerby release". BBC Sport. 9 May 2008. Retrieved 13 July 2008.
  16. ^ "City fans get Huckerby farewell". BBC Sport. 13 May 2008. Retrieved 13 July 2008.
  17. ^ "Squads announced for Drury's game". Norwich City FC. 22 May 2012. Archived from the original on 22 May 2012. Retrieved 22 May 2012.
  18. ^ "Darren Huckerby joins San Jose Earthquakes". Mirror.co.uk. 12 July 2007. Archived from the original on 3 August 2008. Retrieved 13 July 2008.
  19. ^ "TFC and San Jose Involved in Trade - OurSports Central - Independent and Minor League Sports News". OurSports Central. 14 July 2008. Retrieved 22 December 2013.
  20. ^ San Jose Earthquakes Media Relations. "Huckerby named Newcomer of the Year". Archived from the original on 23 November 2008. Retrieved 11 November 2008.
  21. ^ Beatty, Patrick (12 September 2009). "Earthquakes Midfielder Darren Huckerby Undergoes Season-Ending Surgery on Right Hip". Archived from the original on 24 September 2009. Retrieved 12 October 2009.
  22. ^ "Huckerby to hang up boots". www.pinkun.com. 16 September 2009. Retrieved 16 September 2009.[permanent dead link‍]
  23. ^ "Huckerby hangs up his boots". .teamtalk.com. 16 September 2009. Archived from the original on 11 September 2012. Retrieved 16 September 2009.
  24. ^ "Darren Huckerby is promoted as part of Norwich City academy shake-up". 8 July 2015.
  25. ^ New industrial estate on edge of Norwich runs into 'stop the blot' opposition - News - Norwich Evening News - Mobile Retrieved 15 February 2015.
  26. ^ "'If I'm playing terribly then he definitely lets me know!' - City legend keeping a close eye on son at Wroxham". Eastern Daily Press. 18 September 2020. Retrieved 16 November 2021.
  27. ^ Unknown. "News | Leeds". Leedsunited.com. Retrieved 22 December 2013.
  28. ^ "World-Soccer.org". World-Soccer.org. Retrieved 22 December 2013.
  29. ^ Marshall, Adam. "PFA Fans' Player of the Year". Sky Sports. Retrieved 9 April 2023.
  30. ^ "MLS Newcomer of the Year winners". Major League Soccer. 1 January 2022. Retrieved 26 March 2023.
  31. ^ "Norwich City Hall of Fame". Canaries. Archived from the original on 24 March 2007.
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