Tom Derry

Career

Born in Lambeth, Greater London, Derry came through the youth academy at Charlton Athletic, where he had been since the age of 13. Aged 16, Charlton Athletic stalled on Derry's future and he attended The Football League Exit Trials where he received offers from Rangers, Southampton, Leicester City, Fulham, Millwall, and Sheffield United. Charlton Athletic soon backtracked and offered Derry a scholarship. He agreed to sign a 2-year scholarship with Charlton Athletic, allowing him to combine football with A-level studies at Alleyn's School, Dulwich. Derry scored 15 goals in 22 appearances during his scholarship at Charlton Athletic, including a goal against Chelsea in a 3-2 loss in the 4th round of the FA Youth Cup. Despite making several reserve team appearances Derry was released at the end of his scholarship and signed his first professional contract at Gillingham.

He made 5 reserve team appearances for Gillingham, scoring 3 goals but was loaned out to gain first team experience by manager Martin Allen. He joined Chelmsford City on loan for 3 months, scoring 3 goals and twice getting player of the month for September and November. Derry was recalled by Martin Allen, but Allen was soon sacked and Derry was sent back on loan by new manager Peter Taylor. He joined Eastbourne Borough on loan for 3 months, making 12 appearances and scoring 2 goals. At the end of this loan Derry signed permanently for Eastbourne Borough, on non-contract terms; after negotiating a release from Gillingham. During his time at Eastbourne Borough, he had unsuccessful trial periods with Brentford, Cambridge United, Tranmere Rovers and Kidderminster Harriers.

The striker signed for Conference Premier side Aldershot Town on non-contract terms in August 2014, after impressing during a pre-season trial in which he scored a late equaliser against Sutton United. He went on to make 18 appearances in total for Aldershot Town, including starting against Portsmouth in the first round of the FA Cup, but was substituted after 37 minutes due to injury. He was released by Aldershot at the start of January 2015.

Following his departure from Aldershot, Derry joined Hayes & Yeading United for 5 weeks, scoring a 92nd-minute equaliser on from the edge of the box on his debut vs Bishop's Stortford. He then joined Dulwich Hamlet in February 2015, with the signing being funded by the Dulwich Hamlet 12th Man Scheme. After making just three appearances without scoring, Derry left Dulwich Hamlet after less than a month at the club.

Derry returned to the 2015-2016 season with Bishop's Stortford, but signed for Billericay Town before the first game of the Ryman Isthmian League season after impressing for Stortford in a pre-season fixture against Billericay. Derry scored in his first 3 starts for Billericay Town, and impressed with hardworking performances. The striker was reportedly watched by Luton Town and Dagenham & Redbridge during the season. After a good first season at Billericay Town; Derry finished top of the charts for both goals and assists, scoring a 25-minute hat-trick against Wingate & Finchley on the final day of the season.

On 27 May 2016, Derry made the switch over to league rival Kingstonian after an impressive season at Billericay Town.

Personal life

Derry attended Sudbourne Primary School, in Brixton and Alleyn's School, in Dulwich, where he was a Sports Scholar. Derry took Alleyn's School to the final of the Boodles Independent Schools Football Association Cup Final for the first time in the school's history; they lost 2-0 to a strong Millfield side. Despite disappointment in the cup, Alleyn's went on to win their first Elgin Capital League Final against Eton College, with Derry scoring the winning goal.

Career statistics