Darren Young (Scottish footballer)

Darren Young

Personal information
Full name	Darren Young
Date of birth	13 October 1978 (1978-10-13) (age 33)
Place of birth	Glasgow, Scotland
Playing position	Midfielder
Club information
Current club	Alloa Athletic
Youth career
	Cathkin United
	Mill United
	Crombie Sports
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps†	(Gls)†
1996-2003	Aberdeen	132	(4)
?	→ Crombie Sports (loan)
2003-2008	Dunfermline Athletic	124	(8)
2008-2010	Dundee	12	(2)
2010	Queen of the South (trial)	2	(0)
2010-2011	Greenock Morton	12	(0)
2011-	Alloa Athletic	9	(0)
National team
	Scotland U21	7	(0)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 13 November 2011. † Appearances (Goals).

Darren Young (born 13 October 1978 in Glasgow) is a Scottish semi-professional football player. He currently plays for Alloa Athletic.

Over the course of his career he has also played for Aberdeen, Dundee, Dunfermline Athletic and Greenock Morton. Between his spells at Dundee and Morton, Young played two trial matches for Queen of the South.

Career

Aberdeen

Young started his career at Aberdeen (where he was later to be joined by younger brother Derek), signing from Crombie Sports on February 29, 1996. He made a quick impact, making his first team debut against Hearts in August 1996, aged only 17. Young's prodigious development which had seen him awarded several Scotland Under-21 caps was hindered however, by a serious knee injury which required three separate operations to repair.

Young made a successful return to the Aberdeen first team in 2000, by which stage his brother Derek was also an established member of Ebbe Skovdahl's resurgent side. Darren was soon awarded the captaincy and led the 'Dons' to a 4th place finish in the league in the 2001-02 season. This ensured European football returned to Pittodrie and Young increased his continental appearances for Aberdeen to 10, as the 'Dons' played FC Nistru Otaci and Hertha BSC Berlin in the 2002-03 UEFA Cup.

Dunfermline Athletic

Darren and brother joined Dunfermline Athletic together in July 2003 as part of Jimmy Calderwood's new-look side and were part of the team defeated 3-1 by Celtic in the Scottish Cup Final at Hampden Park in May 2004. Young was once again blighted by injuries the following season but helped the Pars retain their SPL status in the 2005-06 season, as well as reaching League Cup Final where Celtic again proved too strong, beating the Fife side 3-0.^[1]

In July 2006, his brother was released by Dunfermline (eventually signing for St. Johnstone), ensuring the Young brothers would play separately for the first time in their professional careers.

In May 2008, Darren rejected Dunfermline's final contract offer meaning he would leave East End Park at the 2007-08 season, after five years with the Fife side.^[2]

Dundee

In May 2008, Young signed for his former club's First Division rivals Dundee.^[3] Young was sent off after 3 minutes into his long awaited debut for Dundee during a league match against Clyde at Broadwood Stadium after pulling back an opponent. He was released by the club on 4 May 2010.^[4]

Queen of the South

Young featured in two games as a trialist for Dumfries club Queen of the South early in the 2010-11 season, during the reign of Kenny Brannigan's management. In the second game for the Palmerston club he was substituted due to injury after 10 minutes.

Morton

Young then went on trial at Greenock Morton after a spate of injuries to their midfield. He was offered training facilities and the possibility of trial matches, but no contract offer will be possible due to financial restrictions at the club.^[5] Despite being told this, after playing well in his three games, he was signed until the end of the year.^[6] After a dozen league appearances, Young was released in May 2011.

Alloa

Young signed for Alloa in July 2011.^[7]

International career

Young won seven Scotland under-21 caps. He also travelled with the Scotland squad to the 1998 FIFA World Cup as a hamper boy.^[8]

References

1. ^ "Celtic 3-0 Dunfermline". BBC News. 25 September 2004. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/scot_prem/3684122.stm. Retrieved 18 May 2008. 
2. ^ "Pars set to unveil signings". The Courier. http://www.thecourier.co.uk/output/2008/05/17/sportstory11374422t0.asp. Retrieved 18 May 2008. 
3. ^ "Young completes Dundee transfer". BBC Sport. May 27, 2008. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/d/dundee/7421814.stm. Retrieved May 27, 2008. 
4. ^ "Dundee aim to axe 16 from squad". BBC Sport. 2010-05-04. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/d/dundee/8659495.stm. Retrieved 2010-05-04. 
5. ^ "Young on trial at Morton". Scottish Football League. 21 October 2010. http://www.scottishfootballleague.com/news/article/young-on-trial-at-morton/. Retrieved 21 October 2010. 
6. ^ "Darren Young signs". Greenock Morton FC. 12 November 2010. http://www.gmfc.net/News/&action=fullnews&id=446. Retrieved 12 November 2010. 
7. ^ Stewart, Craig (4 July 2011). "Alloa bring in experienced Brian Kerr". The Scotsman. http://thescotsman.scotsman.com/football/Alloa-bring-in-experienced-Brian.6795377.jp. Retrieved 4 July 2011. 
8. ^ Smith, Kenny (19 January 2011). "Derek’s a man for all seasons". Rutherglen Reformer. http://www.rutherglenreformer.co.uk/rutherglen-sport/local-rutherglen-sport/2011/01/19/derek-s-a-man-for-all-seasons-63227-28007964/. Retrieved 23 April 2011. 

External links

• Darren Young career stats at Soccerbase

Preceded by Derek Whyte

Aberdeen FC captain 2002-03

Succeeded by Russell Anderson

Persondata
Name	Young, Darren
Alternative names
Short description	Scottish footballer
Date of birth	1978-10-13
Place of birth	Glasgow, Scotland
Date of death
Place of death