DARREN  KELLY

Height: 6' 1"

Weight: 12st 10lbs

Defender.

Darren was born in Derry on the 30th of June 1979. He joined Derry City as a school boy and has represented Northern Ireland at U21 level. Rated very highly by both Roddy Collins and John Cunningham, United finally managed to sign their man on the 21st of August 2002 in a 3 year deal for £100,000. 

Season 2002/03 saw Darren make his debut for United away at Darlington on the 27th of August, where he came off the bench to replace Andrews for the second half in a 0-2 defeat. 

His only goal of the campaign came at home against  York city on the 15th of April. York  had taken the lead in the 75th minute through Shandran but  just four minutes later United levelled the game at 1-1. Craig Russell  took a free kick near the right corner flag which reached Rundle on the left, Rundle  put the ball in the box where Kelly was waiting and headed goalwards. York keeper, Phil Whitehead, managed somehow to turn the shot up onto the crossbar only for Darren to head the rebound into the net.

Darren reached 40 games for United this season and has learnt a lot from his first year in league football.  Few players can put so much power on a headed ball, his contribution in the air both defending and attacking has been a big plus for the squad.

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