Full name Darren Stapleton Years Team 2007 Kildare County Role Football player | Place of birth Dublin, Ireland 2003–2006 Reading Name Darren Stapleton Current team Egham Town F.C. | |
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Date of birth (1987-03-19) 19 March 1987 (age 28) | ||
Darren Stapleton (born 19 March 1987 in Dublin) is an Irish football player who currently plays for English Southern League Division 1 Central side Egham Town F.C.
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Club career
Stapleton signed for Kildare County from Premier Division oufit Reading on the transfer deadline day 2007. He plays predominantly at left-back but also at left wing-back. He played his schoolboy football with Cherry Orchard before moving on to Reading in 2003. He remained there until the end of their 2006 season. He failed to make an appearance for the Reading first team but was a regular member of the reserve squad.
He moved back to Ireland to sign for Kildare County, making his League of Ireland debut in their first home game of the 2007 season at Station Road, Newbridge, on Saint Patrick's Day against Monaghan United, a match that ended in a 1-1 draw. Darren made an instant impact at Station Road winning two Player of the Month Awards and Club Person of the Year for 2007. Darren made more league appearances for Kildare County during the 2007 season than any other player.
Darren signed a two year contract for Shamrock Rovers in November 2007.
Stapleton was released by Rovers by mutual consent before the 2009 season.
Darren joined Conference North club Solihull Moors in August 2009.
He moved to Leamington F.C. in July 2010.
Stapleton guested for Dundalk F.C. in February 2012 during their pre-season preparations but decided to join Leixlip United where he was part of the squad which qualified for the 2013 FAI Cup.
Stapleton moved to Guildford City in October 2013, scoring a goal for the Surrey side against Thatcham Town on 21 December 2013. He moved to Egham Town in January 2014, featuring in a 6-0 victory over Potters Bar Town in his first appearance.
International career
Darren has played for the Republic of Ireland at under 16, 17, 18, 19 and 21 level. His last appearance representing the Republic of Ireland was in a friendly against Luxembourg in October 2006 for the Irish Under 21's.