Darren is a former Fleet goalkeeper, having been educated locally and he played for the club from 1997 to 2001, playing 66 times and winning the Kent Senior Cup. 

He also turned out for Chelmsford City and Dover Athletic amongst others before taking up coaching roles at the likes of West Ham, Colchester United, MK Dons, West Ham Women, Ipswich Town where he was first-team goalkeeping coach, London City Lionesses and at the Welsh FA. 

He returned to the Fleet in his present capacity in December 2024.