Stephen Darby facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Stephen Darby

Darby in 2022
Personal information
Full name	Stephen Mark Darby
Date of birth	(1988-10-06) 6 October 1988 (age 36)
Place of birth	Liverpool, England
Height	6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)
Position(s)	Right back
Youth career
0000–2008	Liverpool
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
2008–2012	Liverpool	1	(0)
2010	→ Swindon Town (loan)	12	(0)
2010–2011	→ Notts County (loan)	22	(0)
2011–2012	→ Rochdale (loan)	35	(0)
2012–2017	Bradford City	194	(0)
2017–2018	Bolton Wanderers	3	(0)
Total		267	(0)
International career
2007–2008	England U19	2	(0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Stephen Mark Darby (born 6 October 1988) is an English former professional footballer. He played as a right-back, a defender who plays on the right side of the field. Stephen also played for the England Under-19 team.

He started his career at Liverpool, winning the FA Youth Cup in 2006. He played for Liverpool's main team from 2008 to 2012. Later, Darby joined Bradford City, playing over 200 games. He even captained the team for two seasons. In 2017, he signed with Bolton Wanderers. Sadly, he retired just over a year later at age 29. This was because he was diagnosed with motor neurone disease, a serious illness affecting nerves.

Stephen Darby's Early Life

Stephen Darby grew up in Maghull, Merseyside, England. He went to St. John Bosco Catholic Primary School. Later, he attended Maricourt Roman Catholic High School.

Stephen Darby's Football Journey

Playing for Liverpool

Darby was part of Liverpool's youth teams that won the FA Youth Cup in 2006 and 2007. He was the captain in the 2006 final. He first joined the Liverpool senior squad in December 2006. This was for a UEFA Champions League match against Galatasaray.

In the 2007–08 season, Darby captained Liverpool's reserve team. They won both northern and national championships. His coach, Gary Ablett, praised him for being very consistent.

Stephen played his first competitive match in November 2008. This was a League Cup game against Tottenham Hotspur. He made his Champions League debut in December 2008. He came on as a substitute against PSV Eindhoven. In July 2009, Darby signed a new three-year contract with Liverpool.

He made his first start for Liverpool in a Champions League game in December 2009. He also started in an FA Cup match against Reading. His teammate, Jamie Carragher, praised his performance. Stephen made his Premier League debut in January 2010. He was released by Liverpool at the end of the 2011–12 season.

Loan Spells: Swindon, Notts County, and Rochdale

On 11 March 2010, Darby joined Swindon Town on loan. He played for them until the end of the season. He helped them reach the play-off semi-final. He even scored the winning penalty in a shoot-out against Charlton Athletic.

Darby playing for Rochdale in 2011

Later, on 1 November, Stephen went on loan to Notts County. He played his first game for them in the FA Cup on 6 November. He rejoined Notts County later in January for the rest of the season.

On 7 July 2011, Darby signed on loan for Rochdale. He made his debut on 6 August 2011. He played 40 games for Rochdale during his loan.

Time at Bradford City

On 4 July 2012, Darby signed a two-year contract with Bradford City. He played his first game on 11 August 2012. This was a League Cup win against Notts County.

He scored the only goal of his career on 25 September. This was in a League Cup match against Burton Albion. Bradford City had an amazing run in the League Cup that year. They beat big teams like Wigan Athletic, Arsenal, and Aston Villa. They reached the final, which was a huge achievement!

In May 2014, Darby won seven awards at Bradford City's end-of-season dinner. He became the club captain in June 2014 and signed a new three-year contract. In May 2017, it was announced that he would leave Bradford City.

Bolton Wanderers and Retirement

On 7 July 2017, Darby signed a two-year contract with Bolton Wanderers. He joined his former manager, Phil Parkinson, there.

On 18 September 2018, Stephen Darby announced his retirement from football. He was only 29 years old. This difficult decision came after he was diagnosed with motor neurone disease (MND). MND is a condition that affects the brain and nerves.

Stephen Darby's Personal Life and Charity Work

Stephen Darby is married to Steph Houghton. She is a famous footballer too. Steph used to be the captain of Manchester City Women and the England women's national team. They got married on 21 June 2018.

After his diagnosis, Darby started the Darby Rimmer MND Foundation. This charity helps families affected by motor neurone disease. It also raises money for research to find a cure.

In July 2019, two of his old clubs, Liverpool and Bradford City, held a fundraising match. His last club, Bolton Wanderers, also played a fundraising match in November 2021. This helped raise money for a Bolton player's mother, who also had MND. A part of the money went to Darby's charity.

In 2023, Darby and another former footballer, Marcus Stewart, completed a long charity walk. They walked 178 miles from Anfield (Liverpool's stadium) to Valley Parade (Bradford City's stadium). This walk raised £130,000 to support people with motor neurone disease. Famous footballers like Jamie Redknapp and Paul Scholes joined parts of the march.

Stephen Darby's International Career

Darby played for England's Under-19 squad in May 2007. He made two appearances in the UEFA European U19 Championship qualifications. He played alongside other Liverpool teammates.

Career Statistics

Stephen Darby's Achievements

Liverpool Youth

• FA Youth Cup: 2005–06, 2006-07

Bradford City

• Football League Two play-offs: 2013 (Promotion to League One)
• Football League Cup runner-up: 2012–13

Individual Awards

• Bradford City Player of the Year: 2013–14

Images for kids

• 

  Darby in 2022

See also

In Spanish: Stephen Darby para niños