Darren Holden (footballer)

Darren Holden

Personal information
Full name	Darren Holden[1]
Date of birth	27 August 1993[2]
Place of birth	Krugersdorp, South Africa[2]
Height	5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)[2]
Playing position	Left back
Youth career
200x–2011	Hartlepool United
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
2011–2015	Hartlepool United	58	(0)
2015–2016	Ross County	0	(0)
2016	Gateshead	7	(0)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 17:55, 8 May 2016 (UTC).

Darren Holden (born 27 August 1993) is an English professional footballer who plays as a defender.

Career

Born in Krugersdorp, South Africa,^[2] Holden made his senior debut for English club Hartlepool United in April 2011 in a 1–1 draw, with other debutants Andy Rafferty and Josh Rowbotham, against Tranmere Rovers.^[3]

Holden went on to impress in pre-season for Pools, particularly when he came on as a late substitute in Ritchie Humphreys' testimonial game against Premier League side Sunderland^[4] but only went on to make three league appearances in the 2011–12 season as Hartlepool finished 13th in League One.^[2]

After being a regular for the reserve and youth side, Holden was handed a professional deal with Hartlepool in April 2012.^[5]

Holden was rewarded with a new contract in December 2012 to keep him at Victoria Park.^[6] He went on to make 17 league appearances in the 2012–13 season which saw him challenging to keep the experienced left-back Evan Horwood out of the first-team.^[7]

Holden became a regular in the second half of the 2013–14 season after an injury to Neil Austin, which led to him starting in Pools’ final twenty games of the season. In May 2014, Holden signed a new contract with Hartlepool.^[8]

He signed for Scottish club Ross County in June 2015,^[9] making his debut on 25 August in a 2–0 Scottish League Cup victory over Ayr United.^[10] He scored his first senior goal in a 7–0 Scottish League Cup win over Falkirk on 22 September.^[11]

On 5 February 2016, Holden signed for National League side Gateshead.^[12] He made his debut on 13 February as a substitute in a 0–4 defeat to Dover Athletic.^[13] He made a further 6 appearances before being released at the end of the season.^[14]

Style of play

Holden is an attacking-minded left-back known for his long throws, fast pace,^[3] and having a strong left foot.^[6]

Career statistics

As of 30 April 2016

Club	Season	League		FA Cup		League Cup		Other		Total
		Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals
Hartlepool United	2010–11[15]	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	0
	2011–12[16]	3	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	3	0
	2012–13[17]	17	0	0	0	0	0	1	0	18	0
	2013–14[18]	26	0	0	0	1	0	1	0	28	0
	2014–15[19]	11	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	11	0
	Total	58	0	0	0	1	0	2	0	61	0
Ross County	2015–16[20]	0	0	0	0	2	1	0	0	2	1
Gateshead	2015–16[20]	7	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	7	0
Career total		65	0	0	0	3	1	2	0	70	1

References

1. "Professional retain list & free transfers 2012/13" (PDF). The Football League. 18 May 2013. p. 36. Retrieved 25 June 2013.
2. Darren Holden profile at Soccerway
3. "Profiles: Darren Holden". Hartlepool United F.C. Retrieved 24 January 2012.
4. Hartlepool United 1 Sunderland 3
5. Darren Holden Handed Professional Deal With Pools
6. Young Defender Agrees New Deal
7. Darren Holden profile
8. Darren Holden signs a new contract with Hartlepool United
9. "Darren Holden: Ross County sign former Hartlepool left-back". BBC Sport. 16 June 2015.
10. "Ross County 2-0 Ayr United". BBC Sport. 25 August 2015. Retrieved 30 January 2016.
11. "Ross County 7-0 Falkirk". BBC Sport. 22 September 2015. Retrieved 30 January 2016.
12. "Defender Holden agrees Heed switch". Gateshead FC. 5 February 2016. Retrieved 5 February 2016.
13. "Dover Athletic 4-0 Gateshead". BBC Sport. 13 February 2016. Retrieved 13 February 2016.
14. "Retained list announced". Gateshead FC. 3 May 2016. Retrieved 8 May 2016.
15. "Games played by Darren Holden in 2010/2011". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 5 February 2016.
16. "Games played by Darren Holden in 2011/2012". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 5 February 2016.
17. "Games played by Darren Holden in 2012/2013". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 5 February 2016.
18. "Games played by Darren Holden in 2013/2014". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 5 February 2016.
19. "Games played by Darren Holden in 2014/2015". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 5 February 2016.
20. "Games played by Darren Holden in 2015/2016". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 5 February 2016.