Darren Moore

Darren Mark Moore (born 22 April 1974 in Birmingham) is an England born Jamaican professional Association football. He plays for Barnsley F.C. as a Defender (football). He is tall and weighs . He has played at international level for Jamaica national football team, for whom he qualifies through parentage. He is also a current member of the management committee of the Professional Footballers' Association.

Playing career

Early career

Birmingham-born Moore attended James Watt School in Handsworth. He played for Holly Lane Colts and in 1989 had a trial with Walsall F.C.. He began his football career as a trainee with Torquay United F.C. in June 1990,

West Bromwich Albion

The following day he made his Albion debut, as a 2nd-half substitute in a 2–1 win at Watford F.C.. Moore proved to be a rock at the heart of the Baggies defence as they earned promotion to the FA Premier League in 2001–02, and was named in the Professional Footballers' Association Division One team of the year. After Albion were relegated from the top flight, he helped them bounce back at the first attempt, figuring in the promotion winning side of 2003–04.

Moore struggled to hold down a regular first team place during the first half of the 2005-06 in English football. He was sent off in the match against Wigan Athletic on 15 January 2006, his only dismissal in over 100 games for Albion. It proved to be his last game for the club, and later that month he was signed for Derby County F.C. by Phil Brown (footballer born 1959) for a fee of £300,000, rising to £500,000 depending on appearances.

During his time at West Brom, Moore was mentioned in the third series of the BBC's satirical cartoon Monkey Dust. The Islamist group from West Bromwich plan to assassinate him, but fail and receive a signed miniature shirt instead.

Derby County

Moore was a pivotal figure in the 2006–07 Derby side that clinched promotion back to the Premier League after a five year absence by winning the 2007 Football League Championship playoff final 1–0 against his former club West Brom. This was the fourth time he had been part of a squad which won promotion to the Premier League, following on from his successes at West Brom (twice) and Bradford. His form that year led to him being named in the PFA Football League Championship team of the year for 2006–07. In the 2007–08 Premiership season, Derby were relegated as the bottom club, although Moore was awarded the club's internal Player of the Season award. Following the club's relegation, manager Paul Jewell allowed Moore to talk to his former club Bradford City A.F.C., who were managed by his former teammates Stuart McCall and Wayne Jacobs as assistant. However, Bradford City decided not to pursue their interest in Moore, instead opting to sign Graeme Lee (footballer).

Barnsley

Moore signed for Barnsley F.C. on 2 July 2008. Barnsley manager Simon Davey said they beat off competition from several sides to land the experienced Defender (football).

Nicknames

Moore has been given a variety of nicknames during his career. His first nickname Bruno originated at Torquay, due to his perceived resemblance to the boxer Frank Bruno. This nickname stuck with him while playing for Doncaster Rovers where he became a fans' favourite and Bradford City. At West Brom he was known by supporters as Big Dave, after a character in a Pot Noodle television advertisement, while at Derby he is now known as Dazza, Big Daz and Mr. T, because of his resemblance to the actor. Former Derby County Manager Billy Davies also referred to him as Mooro.

Faith and work in the community

Moore is a devout Christian. He is active in the Christian charity