Darren Bastow

Darren Bastow (born 22 December 1981 in Torquay) is an English former professional footballer who played in the Football League as a midfielder for Plymouth Argyle.[1] He currently plays for South Devon League club Upton Athletic.

Darren Bastow
Personal information
Date of birth (1981-12-22) 22 December 1981
Place of birth Torquay, England
Position(s) Midfielder
Team information
Current team
 Upton Athletic
Youth career
Torre Trojans
1998 Plymouth Argyle
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1998–2001 Plymouth Argyle 42 (3)
2001–2014 Upton Athletic
2014–2015 Moretonhampstead
2015– Upton Athletic
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Career

Bastow began his career as an apprentice at Plymouth Argyle, joining the Home Park side in July 1998 after leaving Torquay Community College.[2] He had been spotted by Argyle youth development officer John James while playing for Torre Trojans. He became the youngest ever goalscorer for Plymouth when he scored on his league debut, after coming on as substitute in the 3–0 home victory against Brentford in November 1998.[3] After a further nine first-team appearances while still a trainee, and favourable press coverage,[4] he signed a professional contract on his 17th birthday. His form soon attracted the attention of higher division sides, and in November 1999 he joined Premier League Derby County on trial, playing a reserve match against Coventry City.[3] At the end of his trial he returned to Home Park, but was left out of the squad in early 2000 for disciplinary reasons.[5] The player had problems off the field and walked out on the club,[2][6] although Argyle retained his registration and refused to let him play even for South Devon League side Upton Athletic.[7]

In October 2000 he briefly returned to Plymouth Argyle and resumed training, but later walked out again.[8] He eventually returned to playing football, joining Upton Athletic on non-contract terms in August 2001. He agreed to join Torquay United on trial in October 2001,[9] but nothing came of it, and he continued to play for Upton Athletic alongside other members of his family, including former Torquay player Ian Bastow,[10] also spending a season at Moretonhampstead.

References
  1. "Darren Bastow". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 18 November 2009.
  2. "Argyle midfielder admits threatening Torquay schoolteacher" (reprint). Western Morning News. 18 May 2000. Retrieved 18 November 2009 – via NewsBank.
  3. Errington, Chris (16 November 1999). "Bastow: The End?" (reprint). Western Morning News. Retrieved 18 November 2009 – via NewsBank.
  4. Lake, Alan (20 December 1998). "Football: Child's play for Darren" (reprint). Sunday Mirror. Retrieved 9 January 2018 – via The Free Library. He had an outstanding first half in a young Plymouth side – six of the starting eleven were 21 or under – and he looks a great prospect.
  5. "Bastow Axe Explained" (reprint). Western Morning News. 4 January 2000. Retrieved 18 November 2009 – via NewsBank.
  6. "Crown Court trial for Argyle footballer" (reprint). Western Morning News. 11 March 2000. Retrieved 18 November 2009 – via NewsBank.
  7. "Bastow stays on Argyle's books despite approach" (reprint). Western Morning News. 15 July 2000. Retrieved 18 November 2009 – via NewsBank.
  8. "Chairman¹s attempt to lure Bastow back to Home Park" (reprint). Western Morning News. 7 April 2001. Retrieved 18 November 2009 – via NewsBank.
  9. James, Stuart (11 October 2001). "Russell Blow For Gulls". Sky Sports. Retrieved 18 November 2009.
  10. "Bastow inspires Upton to grasp Brixham's top spot". Herald Express. Torquay. 19 October 2009. Archived from the original on 5 May 2013. Retrieved 18 November 2009.
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