Darren Huckerby

Club career

Lincoln City

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.

Newcastle United

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 two appearances for the Magpies (one in the league and one in the FA Cup),{{cite news

Coventry City

The striker's pace and dribbling ability, combined with a very successful partnership with Dion Dublin saw Huckerby play a key role at Coventry. Huckerby and Dublin's partnership did not go unnoticed and earned Huckerby a call up to the England B squad, whilst Dublin managed call ups to the full squad, under Glenn Hoddle. Huckerby played a major role in Coventry's Premier League survival, culminating with a final day 2–1 win at Tottenham Hotspur in 1997. His success with the Sky Blues continued throughout the following season as Coventry enjoyed a ten-game unbeaten run and reached the quarter finals of the FA Cup, narrowly losing on penalties to Sheffield United. Huckerby scored several goals, most notably the winner in a 3–2 victory over Manchester United at Highfield Road, a dazzling run past a few defenders before slotting past Kevin Pilkington. He notched up 14 goals that season, his best Premier League return of goals.

Leeds United

He was sold to Leeds United in the summer for a reputed £6 million. However, he had fewer chances of first team action following his transfer, and was less prolific in front of goal than he had been with Coventry.

In his time at Elland Road, he scored two goals in 40 league games, once against former club Coventry City and another against Watford.{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2000/may/04/match.sport3 |title=Leeds ready to join Europe's elite |work=The Guardian |date=3 May 2000 |access-date=6 November 2009

Manchester City

Manchester City signed him in December 2000 for £3.38 million, as they attempted to avoid relegation. Huckerby scored on his debut against Charlton Athletic, albeit in a 4-1 defeat.{{cite news

Huckerby started the new campaign as first choice, and scored the team's first goal of the season, a header against former employer Newcastle that secured a 1–0 win.{{cite news

Norwich City

Huckerby spent a three-month loan spell with Norwich City, before signing permanently in December 2003, for a fee of £750,000, which rose to £1 million when the Canaries were promoted at the end of the season. At Norwich, Huckerby's career settled, and he netted 14 league goals in the First Division in the 2003–04 season. He was instrumental in Norwich's march to the First Division championship in 2003–04, and came second in the supporters vote for player of the season behind Craig Fleming.

Reverting to a left wing role for much of Norwich's Premier League spell in 2004–05, Huckerby scored seven goals. He was linked with a transfer to either Liverpool or Celtic the following summer, but spoke of his intention to see out his contract in East Anglia.

He was voted Norwich City player of the year by supporters in 2004–05 and 2006–07, and placed second behind Gary Doherty for the 2005–06 season, winning the award twice and adding two runner-up positions in his first four seasons. He was voted into the Norwich City Hall of Fame in 2004. On 13 April 2008, he played his 200th game for Norwich, in the East Anglian Derby against Ipswich Town.

On 4 May 2008, Huckerby scored in his final game for the club in a 4–1 defeat away at Sheffield Wednesday. Two days later, it was announced that his contract would not be renewed as he could not be guaranteed a place in the first team in the 2008–09 season. This upset fans who felt that Huckerby, a fan favourite, deserved a proper farewell. However, an opportunity was made with a special tribute at a 'Greatest Ever' event at Carrow Road held later in May.

In 2012, Huckerby returned to Carrow Road to play in Adam Drury's testimonial match against Celtic, coming on in the 76th minute showing his trademark bursts of pace and skill. Former Celtic and Norwich striker John Hartson who was co-commentating on Setanta Sports claimed he looked fit and sharp enough still to be playing professionally.

San Jose Earthquakes

Huckerby moved to the United States joining Major League Soccer club, San Jose Earthquakes in July 2008. MLS rules at the time dictated that Toronto FC owned the right to sign Huckerby. To acquire those rights, San Jose traded allocation money and use of an international roster slot for the 2008 through 2013 seasons to Toronto.

He made his debut on 19 July 2008 against Toronto, in a 0–0 draw, and scored his first goal against New York Red Bulls on 27 July. In a crucial match for the Earthquakes, on 3 August 2008, Huckerby scored his second goal, against Los Angeles Galaxy, in a 3–2 Earthquakes win. On 30 August, he headed in the winning goal in the side's 2–1 victory over Kansas City Wizards, extending San Jose's unbeaten streak to seven games. During this stretch, Huckerby notched three goals and three assists.

On 11 November 2008, it was announced that Huckerby had won the 2008 MLS Newcomer of the Year Award.

During the 2009 Major League Soccer season, Huckerby underwent surgery to eliminate his hip injury. However, on 16 September 2009, at age 33, Huckerby announced that he was '99% sure' of his retirement.

International career

Huckerby made one appearance with the England B team in 1998.

Coaching career

He is a former academy coach for the Under 16s at championship side Norwich City.

Personal life

Huckerby lives in Keswick, south Norfolk. His son Tom signed for Harleston Town in May 2025, but was arrested for drink driving in September 2025, receiving a 15 month ban.

After retiring from football in 2009, Huckerby returned to playing football in the Masters Tournament in June 2011 in which he scored 8 goals in the Yorkshire Masters for his old club Leeds United. In the Grand Masters final Huckerby added a further 6 goals to his tally, making him overall tournament golden boot winner with 14 goals. Leeds were overall runners up in the tournament, losing 8–3 to Rangers in the final.

On 14 April 2013, Huckerby played in a charity game at Lowestoft Town's Crown Meadow ground. He played for the ex professionals against a select eleven which included students from Lowestoft College.

Career statistics

Honours

Manchester City

• First Division: 2001–02 Norwich City

• First Division: 2003–04 Individual

• Football League First Division Player of the Month: September 2003

• PFA Fans' Player of the Year: 2003–04 First Division

• Major League Soccer Player of the Month: September 2008

• Major League Soccer Newcomer of the Year: 2008

• Norwich City Player of the Season: 2004–05, 2006–07

• Norwich City Hall of Fame: 2006

References

References

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2. (8 July 2015). "Darren Huckerby is promoted as part of Norwich City academy shake-up".
3. Culley, Jon. (11 September 1999). "The day Hedman lost his head". [[The Independent]].
4. (30 September 1999). "Leeds United 1 Partizan Belgrade 0". OzWhiteLUFC.
5. Shaw, Phil. (26 September 2000). "Leeds in overdrive to belittle Beşiktaş". [[The Independent]].
6. (13 February 2003). "Forest seal Huckerby deal". BBC Sport.
7. (11 October 2011). "BBC Sport - Darren Huckerby admits regret at manner of Norwich City exit". BBC Sport.
8. (4 May 2008). "Sheff Wed 4–1 Norwich". BBC Sport.
9. (6 May 2008). "Canaries release forward Huckerby". BBC Sport.
10. (9 May 2008). "Roeder explains Huckerby release". BBC Sport.
11. (13 May 2008). "City fans get Huckerby farewell". BBC Sport.
12. (12 July 2007). "Darren Huckerby joins San Jose Earthquakes". Mirror.co.uk.
13. (14 July 2008). "TFC and San Jose Involved in Trade - OurSports Central - Independent and Minor League Sports News". OurSports Central.
14. San Jose Earthquakes Media Relations. "Huckerby named Newcomer of the Year".
15. Beatty, Patrick. (12 September 2009). "Earthquakes Midfielder Darren Huckerby Undergoes Season-Ending Surgery on Right Hip".
16. (16 September 2009). "Huckerby to hang up boots". www.pinkun.com.
17. (16 September 2009). "Huckerby hangs up his boots". .teamtalk.com.
18. (8 July 2015). "Darren Huckerby is promoted as part of Norwich City academy shake-up".
19. [http://www.edp24.co.uk/news/politics/new_industrial_estate_on_edge_of_norwich_runs_into_stop_the_blot_opposition_1_3940598 New industrial estate on edge of Norwich runs into 'stop the blot' opposition - News - Norwich Evening News - Mobile] {{Webarchive. link. (27 January 2017 Retrieved 15 February 2015.)
20. Ingram, Paige. (9 September 2025). "Armed police arrest ex-Premier League star's son in McDonald's drive-thru".
21. Unknown. "News | Leeds". Leedsunited.com.
22. "World-Soccer.org". World-Soccer.org.
23. (2003-10-08). "Huckerby wins award".
24. Marshall, Adam. "PFA Fans' Player of the Year".
25. (January 1, 2022). "MLS Newcomer of the Year winners". [[Major League Soccer]].
26. "Norwich City Hall of Fame".