Darren Baxter (English footballer)

Darren Baxter (born 26 October 1981) is an English former professional footballer.

Darren Baxter
Personal information
Date of birth (1981-10-26) 26 October 1981
Place of birth Brighton, England
Position(s) Left back, midfielder
Youth career
1998–2001 Chelsea
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2001 Heart of Midlothian 0 (0)
2001–2002 Worthing
2001 → St Albans City (loan) 1 (0)
2002–? St Albans City 5 (0)
2003 New York Freedom 14 (0)
2004 Toronto Lynx 24 (4)
2005 Oakville Blue Devils 5 (0)
2006 Toronto Lynx 8 (0)
2007 Torquay United 1 (0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 12 April 2018

Playing career

Baxter was born in Brighton and began his football career as a trainee with Chelsea. He left Chelsea in the 2000–2001 season at the end of his three-year traineeship.[1] On leaving Chelsea he joined Heart of Midlothian, but having missed the transfer deadline was restricted to playing for their reserve side.

He joined Worthing in the summer of 2001, but moved to St Albans City in March 2002, having played one match on loan for them in October 2001. In 2003, he played abroad in the USL Pro Select League with New York Freedom.[2]

In 2004, he joined USL A-League side Toronto Lynx, making his debut for the club on 1 May 2004 in a match against the Rochester Rhinos in a 4–0 defeat.[3] In his first season with the Lynx, Baxter recorded 4 goals and 2 assists, which ranked him third in scoring for the Lynx in his rookie season. When the season came to a conclusion he was awarded team's Best Offensive Player award.[4] In 2005, Baxter was acquired by the Oakville Blue Devils in the Canadian Professional Soccer League after Duncan Wilde was appointed the new head coach. He made his debut for the club on 5 June 2005 in a 2–1 victory over the Vaughan Shooters.[5] He helped Oakville finish second in the western conference allowing the club to clinch a playoff berth, which ultimately resulted in the club claiming the CPSL Championship.

On 18 April 2006 Baxter re-signing with the Lynx was announced in a press conference which revealed the 2006 team roster.[6] He appeared in eight matches for the club in the 2006 season.[7]

On 9 January 2007, he returned to England, joining Torquay United, making his debut as a half-time substitute for Chris McPhee in the 5–0 defeat away to Mansfield Town on 30 January 2007. However, this was to be his only appearance for Torquay, as along with Nathan Simpson, he left on 6 February 2007, having learnt that his initial one-month contract was not going to be renewed.[8]

In October 2007, Baxter joined Dorchester Town on trial, scoring in a reserve game against Torquay United's reserve team.

References
  1. Baxter wants to get them talking again Archived 29 September 2007 at the Wayback Machine
  2. . 26 June 2003 https://web.archive.org/web/20030626132141/http://www.uslsoccer.com:80/scripts/runisa.dll?S7:gp::72011+Elements/Display+E+47116++22358+23779. Archived from the original on 26 June 2003. Retrieved 12 April 2018. {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  3. Nutt, Dave (1 May 2004). "RHINOS HAND LYNX FIRST LOST OF SEASON". Rocket Robin's Home Page. Toronto Lynx Game Report.
  4. Glover, Robin (16 August 2004). "Result of the Thursday August 16th, 2004 A-League game between Toronto Lynx and Edmonton FC played at Centennial Stadium in Etobicoke at 7:30pm". Rocket Robin's Home Page.
  5. Glover, Robin (5 June 2005). "Result of the Sunday June 5th, 2005 CPSL game between Vaughan Shooters and Oakville Blue Devils played at The Soccer Centre in Vaughan at 7:00pm". Rocket Robin's Home Page.
  6. Glover, Robin (18 April 2006). "April 18, 2006 USL Toronto Lynx press conference (by Rocket Robin)". Rocket Robin's Home Page.
  7. "Darren Baxter | SoccerStats.us". soccerstats.us. Retrieved 12 April 2018.
  8. Gulls will not extend duo's deals
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