Kenton: Darren Edward (Darren)

2008-2008 (Player Details) (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 on 4th October 1997 in a 0-2 loss at Tranmere Rovers. 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, Kenton 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 City and Southampton were all linked with Kenton, who missed the clash at Grimsby Town 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 one hundred and seventy-five appearances for Norwich, nineteen as substitute, and had scored nine goals. There had been nine goals in his one hundred and forty-two League starts and another sixteen from the bench, and he had started two and been a substitute in two F.A. Cup ties, nine starts in the League Cup and one from the bench as well as three starts in the Play-offs, all without scoring. He finally signed for the Saints on 12th 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 2003-04 season. There was talk that Crystal Palace manager Iain Dowie was interested on 13th June 2004. On 3rd March 2005, Kenton was loaned to Leicester City, where he had ten starts and one game as a substitute in the League and one start in the F.A. Cup. 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 had to seek a new club. He made twenty-four starts and five appearances from the bench in the League and one start in the F.A. Cup and three in the League Cup for the Saints. His new club was Leicester City with whom Darren signed a two year contract on 27th June 2006. The 2006–07 Championship season started well for him, apart from an own goal against West Bromwich Albion, but injury plagued him after that as he missed the first team action. He scored his first goal for the club in a 4–2 defeat away to Stoke City on 31st March 2007 and got his second of the season in a 2–1 loss at home toNorwich City, two weeks later. 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 a midfield position. This came to an end, however, on 12th January 2008 when he joined Leeds United on a one month loan deal. He had made twenty-six starts and seven games from the bench and scoring twice in the League, as well as starting one F.A. Cup and two starts and two games from the bench in the League Cup after signing permanently 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 the thity-sixth minute for the opening goal in a 4-3 home win over Colchester United on 11th October 2008, in his second game for the club, 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 unsuccessful trial with Toronto F.C. in February 2009 before signing a one year contract with US second tier club Rochester Rhinos on 9th April 2009. He had scored once in twelve games, of which three were as a substitute but announced his retirement at the end of his contract. He returned to England and became a male model in London.