Darius Henderson

Darius Alexis Henderson (born 7 September 1981 in Sutton in Surrey, England - he is often erroneously thought to have been born in Doncaster , although in fact he only moved there aged seven.) He is a professional Association footballer who plays as a striker for Sheffield United F.C..

Club career

Reading

Henderson started his career at Reading F.C., making his debut as a substitute on 18 March, 2000, in a 3–0 loss to Burnley F.C.. After a further two substitute appearances he made his first start, in a 2–1 victory over Wycombe Wanderers F.C. on 24 April, although he was substituted at half-time. He made a further two appearances that season.

Despite his spell in the team towards the end of that season he was limited to six appearances in the 2000-01 in English football campaign. However, he became a regular in the Reading side in Football League Second Division. His first League goals came in a 4–0 win over Luton Town F.C., in which he scored twice. He made a further 24 appearances for Reading in the 2002-03 in English football season, mostly in the latter part of the campaign, scoring four goals, but was loaned out to Brighton & Hove Albion F.C. for the start of the 2003-04 in English football season for whom he scored two goals in ten games in a two month spell. He made what was to be his final appearance for Reading in November 2003, before being sold to Gillingham F.C. for a nominal fee in January 2004. He had scored 11 goals in 71 games for Reading.

Gillingham

Unfortunately for Henderson, he picked up an injury just a month after joining Gillingham, and didn't play for the reminder of the 2003–04 season. Early in the 2004-05 in English football season he was loaned to Football League One side Swindon Town F.C., for whom he scored an impressive five goals in six appearances. Returning to Priestfield Stadium, Gillingham were already struggling in the lower reaches of the Football League Championship. Henderson became a regular in the side's struggle for survival, scoring 11 goals.

Watford

With the 2005-06 in English football season due to start, he became part of Adrian Boothroyd's reshaped Watford F.C. side, joining for a fee of £450,000. Signed the day before the first game of the season, he made his debut and scored in the 2–1 loss to Preston North End F.C. which opened the season. Henderson went on to be an integral part of Watford's successful season in the Championship, scoring 14 goals - nine of which were headers - in 27 games as they finished third. He also scored a penalty in Watford's 3–0 defeat of Leeds United A.F.C. in the Championship play-off final, as Watford were promoted to the Premier League. A passionate player, Henderson amassed six yellow cards and one red in the 2005–06 season.

While in the Premiership it wasn't until 10 February, 2007, that he scored his first goal of the season, against West Ham United F.C. at Upton Park in a 1–0.

In the 2007-08 in English football season Henderson scored thirteen league goals, including five in September. Only three, however, came after the turn of the year. After being suspended for the first leg of the club's play-off semi-final against Hull City A.F.C., Henderson returned to score the first goal in the second leg at the KC Stadium. However, Watford went on to lose the game 4–1, and 6–1 on aggregate.

Sheffield United

On 22 July, Henderson signed a 4 year contract with Sheffield United after a fee of £2 million was agreed, which could rise depending on appearances. He made his debut for the Blades in a 1-0 away defeat on the opening day of the season against Birmingham City F.C.. He scored his first goal in Blades colours a few weeks later, away at Huddersfield Town F.C. in the second round of the League Cup.