- published: 26 Jun 2009
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Darren Huckerby (born 23 April 1976 in Nottingham) is a former English footballer who played as a forward from 1993 until 2009.
Huckerby is notably remembered for his time spent playing in the Premier League, appearing for Newcastle United, Coventry City, Leeds United, Manchester City and Norwich City in England's top flight. He also played as a professional for Lincoln City, Millwall and Nottingham Forest before finishing his career for Major League Soccer side San Jose Earthquakes.
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.
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 one appearance for the Magpies, 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.