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{{Short description|English footballer (born 1967)}}
{{EngvarB|date=July 2013}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2013}}
{{EngvarB|date=October 2022}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2022}}
{{Infobox football biography
{{Infobox football biography
| name = Darren Beckford
| name = Darren Beckford
Line 6: Line 7:
| caption =
| caption =
| fullname = Darren Richard Lorenzo Beckford<ref>{{cite book|last=Sherwin|first=Phil|title=The Port Vale Miscellany|publisher=The History Press|location=Brimscombe Port|year=2010|pages=32|isbn=978-0-7524-5777-2}}</ref>
| fullname = Darren Richard Lorenzo Beckford<ref>{{cite book|last=Sherwin|first=Phil|title=The Port Vale Miscellany|publisher=The History Press|location=Brimscombe Port|year=2010|pages=32|isbn=978-0-7524-5777-2}}</ref>
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1967|05|12|df=y}}
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1967|05|12|df=y}}<ref name="flown">{{cite web |title=Flown From the Nest - Darren Beckford |url=http://www.ex-canaries.co.uk/players/beckford.htm |website=www.ex-canaries.co.uk |access-date=30 October 2022}}</ref>
| birth_place = [[Moss Side]], Manchester, England
| birth_place = [[Moss Side]], [[Manchester]], England
| height = {{height|ft=6|in=1}}<ref>{{cite book |url=https://archive.org/details/rothmansfootball00roll |url-access=registration |title=Rothmans Football Yearbook 1980–81 |editor-first=Jack |editor-last=Rollin |publisher=[[Queen Anne Press]]|location=London |year=1980 |isbn=0362020175 |page=230}}</ref>
| death_date =
| height = {{height|ft=5|in=10}}
| position = [[Forward (association football)|Forward]]
| position = [[Forward (association football)|Forward]]
| youthyears1 = | youthclubs1 = [[Manchester City F.C.|Manchester City]]
| youthyears1 = 1980–1984| youthclubs1 = [[Manchester City F.C.|Manchester City]]
| years1 = 1984–1987| clubs1 = [[Manchester City F.C.|Manchester City]] | caps1 = 11| goals1 = 0
| years1 = 1984–1987| clubs1 = [[Manchester City F.C.|Manchester City]] | caps1 = 11| goals1 = 0
| years2 = 1985 | clubs2 = → [[Bury F.C.|Bury]] (loan) | caps2 = 12| goals2 = 5
| years2 = 1985 | clubs2 = → [[Bury F.C.|Bury]] (loan) | caps2 = 12| goals2 = 5
| years3 = 1987–1991| clubs3 = [[Port Vale F.C.|Port Vale]] | caps3 = 178| goals3 = 71
| years3 = 1987 | clubs3 = → [[Port Vale F.C.|Port Vale]] (loan) | caps3 = 11| goals3 = 4
| years4 = 1991–1993| clubs4 = [[Norwich City F.C.|Norwich City]] | caps4 = 38| goals4 = 8
| years4 = 1987–1991| clubs4 = [[Port Vale F.C.|Port Vale]] | caps4 = 167| goals4 = 67
| years5 = 1993–1996| clubs5 = [[Oldham Athletic A.F.C.|Oldham Athletic]] | caps5 = 52| goals5 = 11
| years5 = 1991–1993| clubs5 = [[Norwich City F.C.|Norwich City]] | caps5 = 38| goals5 = 8
| years6 = 1996–1997| clubs6 = [[Heart of Midlothian F.C.|Heart of Midlothian]]| caps6 = 7| goals6 = 0
| years6 = 1993–1996| clubs6 = [[Oldham Athletic A.F.C.|Oldham Athletic]] | caps6 = 52| goals6 = 11
| years7 = 1997 | clubs7 = [[Preston North End F.C.|Preston North End]] | caps7 = 2| goals7 = 0
| years7 = 1996–1997| clubs7 = [[Heart of Midlothian F.C.|Heart of Midlothian]]| caps7 = 8| goals7 = 0
| years8 = 1997 | clubs8 = [[Fulham F.C.|Fulham]] | caps8 = 0| goals8 = 0
| years8 = 1997 | clubs8 = [[Preston North End F.C.|Preston North End]] | caps8 = 2| goals8 = 0
| years9 = 1997 | clubs9 = [[Walsall F.C.|Walsall]] | caps9 = 8| goals9 = 0
| years9 = 1997 | clubs9 = [[Fulham F.C.|Fulham]] | caps9 = 0| goals9 = 0
| years10 = 1997 | clubs10 = [[Rushden & Diamonds F.C.|Rushden & Diamonds]] | caps10 = | goals10 =
| years10 = 1997 | clubs10= [[Walsall F.C.|Walsall]] | caps10= 8| goals10= 0
| years11 = 1997 | clubs11 = [[Southport F.C.|Southport]] | caps11 = 0| goals11 = 0
| years11 = 1997 | clubs11 = [[Rushden & Diamonds F.C.|Rushden & Diamonds]] | caps11 = | goals11 =
| years12 = 1997 | clubs12 = [[The New Saints F.C.|Total Network Solutions]]| caps12 = 4| goals12 = 1
| years12 = 1997 | clubs12 = [[Southport F.C.|Southport]] | caps12 = 0| goals12 = 0
| years13 = 1997–1998| clubs13 = [[Bury F.C.|Bury]] | caps13 = 0| goals13 = 0
| years13 = 1997 | clubs13 = [[The New Saints F.C.|Total Network Solutions]]| caps13 = 4| goals13 = 1
| years14 = 1998 | clubs14 = [[Bacup Borough F.C.|Bacup Borough]] | caps14 = | goals14 =
| years14 = 1997–1998| clubs14 = [[Bury F.C.|Bury]] | caps14 = 0| goals14 = 0
| years15 = 1998 | clubs15 = [[Bacup Borough F.C.|Bacup Borough]] | caps15 = | goals15 =
⚫
| nationalyears1 = 1983| nationalteam1 = [[England national under-16 football team|England U16]]| nationalcaps1 = | nationalgoals1 =
| totalcaps = 305+| totalgoals = 96+
| totalcaps = 313| totalgoals = 96
⚫
| nationalyears1 = 1982 | nationalteam1 = [[English Schools' Football Association|England Schoolboys]] | nationalcaps1 = | nationalgoals1 =
| nationalyears2 = 1983–1984 | nationalteam2 = [[England national under-17 football team|England U17]] | nationalcaps2 = 15 | nationalgoals2 = 6
}}
}}


'''Darren Richard Lorenzo Beckford''' (born 12 May 1967) is an English former professional [[Association football|footballer]] who played as a [[Forward (association football)|forward]]. His younger brother [[Jason Beckford|Jason]] also played professional football.
'''Darren Richard Lorenzo Beckford''' (born 12 May 1967) is an English former professional [[Association football|footballer]] who played as a [[Forward (association football)|forward]]. His younger brother [[Jason Beckford|Jason]] also played professional football.


In fourteen years as a professional footballer he scored a total of 96 goals in 302 league games. Advancing through the [[Manchester City F.C.|Manchester City]] youth team, he also spent a brief time on loan at [[Bury F.C.|Bury]] before joining [[Port Vale F.C.|Port Vale]] in 1987. He enjoyed the most successful time of his career at Vale, scoring 68 goals in 167 league games, helping the club to promotion via the play-offs in [[1989 Football League Third Division play-off Final|1989]]. After four successive seasons as the club's top scorer he earned a £925,000 move to [[Norwich City F.C.|Norwich City]] in 1991. Unable to find the form he hit at [[Vale Park]], he was sold on to [[Oldham Athletic A.F.C.|Oldham Athletic]] for £300,000 in 1993. Three years later he moved on to Scottish side [[Heart of Midlothian F.C.|Hearts]]. He later played for [[Preston North End F.C.|Preston North End]], [[Fulham F.C.|Fulham]], [[Walsall F.C.|Walsall]], [[Rushden & Diamonds F.C.|Rushden & Diamonds]], [[Southport F.C.|Southport]], [[The New Saints F.C.|Total Network Solutions]], [[Bury F.C.|Bury]] and [[Bacup Borough F.C.|Bacup Borough]].
In fourteen years as a professional footballer, he scored 96 goals in 302 league games. Advancing through the [[Manchester City F.C.|Manchester City]] [[Youth system|youth team]], he also spent a brief time on [[Loan (sports)|loan]] at [[Bury F.C.|Bury]] before joining [[Port Vale F.C.|Port Vale]] in 1987. He enjoyed the most successful time of his career at Vale, scoring 68 goals in 167 league games, helping the club to [[Promotion and relegation|promotion]] via the [[English Football League play-offs|play-offs]] in [[1989 Football League Third Division play-off final|1989]]. After four successive seasons as the club's top scorer, he earned a £925,000 move to [[Norwich City F.C.|Norwich City]] in 1991. Unable to find the form he hit at [[Vale Park]], he was sold to [[Oldham Athletic A.F.C.|Oldham Athletic]] for £300,000 in 1993. Three years later, he moved on to Scottish side [[Heart of Midlothian F.C.|Hearts]]. He later played for [[Preston North End F.C.|Preston North End]], [[Fulham F.C.|Fulham]], [[Walsall F.C.|Walsall]], [[Rushden & Diamonds F.C.|Rushden & Diamonds]], [[Southport F.C.|Southport]], [[The New Saints F.C.|Total Network Solutions]], [[Bury F.C.|Bury]] and [[Bacup Borough F.C.|Bacup Borough]].


==Playing career==
==Career==


===Man City onto Port Vale===
===Manchester City===
Beckford was a product of the [[Manchester City F.C.|Manchester City]] [[Youth system|youth team]] and made his first-team debut at the age of 16.<ref name="beano1">{{cite journal |title=The Darren Beckford Interview |journal=The Vale Park Beano |volume=45}}</ref> As a member of [[Jehovah's Witnesses]], he rejected the opportunity to represent England at youth team level as he refused to stand for [[God Save the King|the national anthem]], seeing it as saluting the flag and therefore unchristian behaviour.<ref name="beano1"/> This is a somewhat dubious claim considering he played for the England Under 17 side on fifteen occasions. The management at [[Maine Road]] took a dim view at this stance and did not play him in the first-team for another 12 months.<ref name="beano1"/> He went out on [[Loan (sports)|loan]] at [[Football League Third Division|Third Division]] club [[Bury F.C.|Bury]], scoring five goals in twelve games at [[Gigg Lane]].<ref name="beano1"/>
⚫
Beckford was a product of the [[Manchester City F.C.|Manchester City]] youth team; he made eleven appearances for the [[Maine Road]] side before spending loan periods at [[Bury F.C.|Bury]] and [[Port Vale F.C.|Port Vale]], moving to [[Football League Third Division|Third Division]] Vale on a permanent basis for £15,000 (plus 50% of any future transfer fee). This was settled by a Football League tribunal as a compromise between Vale's offer of £5,000 and City's demand of £60,000.<ref>{{cite book|last=Kent|first=Jeff|title=Port Vale Tales: A Collection Of Stories, Anecdotes And Memories|publisher=Witan Books|date=December 1991|pages=262|isbn=0-9508981-6-3}}</ref> He later admitted that throughout his early career his nerves caused him to [[Vomiting|vomit]] before games.<ref>{{cite news|title=Underdog has its day as Vale rout Ipswich Town|last=Sherwin|first=Phil|date=9 July 2011|work=The Sentinel}}</ref>


===Port Vale===
⚫
{{Quote|"A terrific goal-scorer. Darren was very athletic, had unbelievable spring in his legs and could finish. As a striker, he ticked all the boxes. If we came up against a top team, we knew he was easily good enough to hold his own. Darren had a unique personality. If someone upset him off the pitch then you knew it could have an effect on his performance. Then again, management would be easy if every player was like [[Andy Porter (footballer)|Andy Porter]]. In his case, you just gave him the shirt, told him what to do and then let him get on with it. In Becky's case, he was more likely to stop the training session half way through to ask why we were doing such-and-such drills. The rest of us would be urging him to just get on with it, or we'd never get finished."|[[Robbie Earle]] in 2012.<ref>{{cite news|last=Earle|first=Robbie|title=Pope is having a great season, but these Port Vale strikers are top of my hit parade|url=http://www.thisisstaffordshire.co.uk/Robbie-Earle-Pope-having-great-season-Port-Vale/story-17168508-detail/story.html|accessdate=27 October 2012|newspaper=[[The Sentinel (Staffordshire)|The Sentinel]]|date=26 October 2012}}</ref>}}
⚫
Beckford joined [[Port Vale F.C.|Port Vale]] on an initial loan basis, with Manchester City manager [[Jimmy Frizzell]] believing that a [[striking partnership]] with another youngster in [[Andy Jones (footballer, born 1963)|Andy Jones]] would aid his development.<ref name="beano1"/> He stayed for three months at the end of the [[1986–87 Port Vale F.C. season|1986–87]] season and then joined the club permanently for a fee of £15,000 (plus 50% of any future [[Transfer (association football)|transfer]] fee – a clause that Vale later bought out for an undisclosed sum).<ref name="beano1"/><ref name="fund"/> This was settled by a Football League tribunal as a compromise between Vale's offer of £5,000 and City's demand of £60,000.<ref>{{cite book|last=Kent|first=Jeff|title=Port Vale Tales: A Collection Of Stories, Anecdotes And Memories|publisher=Witan Books|date=December 1991|pages=262|isbn=0-9508981-6-3}}</ref> Vale fans raised £7,500 of the fee with a 'buy a player' fund.<ref name="fund">{{cite news |last1=Baggaley |first1=Michael |title=Bargain buy Darren was the darling of Port Vale fans after Notts County treble |url=https://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/darren-beckford-vale-notts-county-3984209 |access-date=30 March 2020 |work=Stoke Sentinel |date=25 March 2020}}</ref> He later admitted that throughout his early career his nerves caused him to [[Vomiting|vomit]] before games.<ref>{{cite news|title=Underdog has its day as Vale rout Ipswich Town|last=Sherwin|first=Phil|date=9 July 2011|work=The Sentinel}}</ref>


⚫
{{Blockquote|"A terrific goal-scorer. Darren was very athletic, had unbelievable spring in his legs and could finish. As a striker, he ticked all the boxes. If we came up against a top team, we knew he was easily good enough to hold his own. Darren had a unique personality. If someone upset him off the [[Football pitch|pitch]] then you knew it could affect his performance. Then again, management would be easy if every player was like [[Andy Porter (footballer, born 1968)|Andy Porter]]. In his case, you just gave him the shirt, told him what to do and then let him get on with it. In Becky's case, he was more likely to stop the training session halfway through to ask why we were doing such-and-such drills. The rest of us would be urging him to just get on with it, or we'd never get finished."|[[Robbie Earle]] in 2012.<ref>{{cite news|last=Earle|first=Robbie|title=Pope is having a great season, but these Port Vale strikers are top of my hit parade|url=http://www.thisisstaffordshire.co.uk/Robbie-Earle-Pope-having-great-season-Port-Vale/story-17168508-detail/story.html|access-date=27 October 2012|newspaper=[[The Sentinel (Staffordshire)|The Sentinel]]|date=26 October 2012}}</ref>}}
He scored his first hat-trick for the club on 2 April 1988, during a 5–0 demolition of [[Doncaster Rovers F.C.|Doncaster Rovers]]. Throughout [[1987–88 Port Vale F.C. season|1987–88]] he was the [[List of Port Vale F.C. seasons|club's top scorer]] with ten goals, along with [[David Riley (English footballer)|David Riley]]. That season Vale won every game in which Beckford made it onto the score sheet.


He scored his first [[hat-trick]] for the club on 2 April 1988, during a 5–0 demolition of [[Doncaster Rovers F.C.|Doncaster Rovers]].<ref name="sfsg">{{cite news |title=Clipping Hero #1: Darren Beckford |url=https://www.onevalefan.co.uk/2015/05/clipping-hero-1-darren-beckford/ |access-date=5 June 2020 |work=onevalefan.co.uk |date=16 May 2015}}</ref> Throughout [[1987–88 Port Vale F.C. season|1987–88]] he was the [[List of Port Vale F.C. seasons|club's top scorer]] with ten goals, along with [[David Riley (footballer)|David Riley]]. That season Vale won every game in which Beckford made it onto the score sheet. He was once again top scorer in [[1988–89 Port Vale F.C. season|1988–89]], this time bagging 23 goals as the club won [[Promotion and relegation|promotion]] to the [[Football League Second Division|Second Division]] via the [[English Football League play-offs|play-offs]]. On 19 September, he scored a hat-trick in a 5–0 home win over [[Chesterfield F.C.|Chesterfield]]. On 25 March, he scored a hat-trick in a 4–1 victory over [[Notts County F.C.|Notts County]].<ref name="fund"/> On 25 May, he scored a hat-trick as Vale beat [[Preston North End F.C.|Preston North End]] 3–1 in the play-off semi-final second leg, giving them a 4–2 [[aggregate score|aggregate]] victory. He also provided the crucial second goal of the [[1989 Football League Third Division play-off final|1989 final]], flicking on a [[corner kick|corner]] for [[Robbie Earle]] to knock into the net. He adapted well to tougher opposition in the [[1989–90 Port Vale F.C. season|1989–90]] season. He managed 21 goals to become the club's top scorer yet again. He became the club's top scorer for the fourth consecutive season with 23 goals in [[1990–91 Port Vale F.C. season|1990–91]]. He managed to bag a hat-trick against [[Blackburn Rovers F.C.|Blackburn Rovers]] and also found the net against former club Manchester City in the [[FA Cup]]. After the hat-trick against Blackburn, Beckford told the press he was happy at the club and dismissed numerous transfer rumours linking him with moves to other clubs.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Baggaley |first1=Mike |title=Shrewsbury loss shoves Vale closer to the drop |url=https://portvalethevaliant.substack.com/p/shrewsbury-loss-shoves-vale-closer |access-date=10 March 2024 |work=Valiant's Substack |date=10 March 2024}}</ref>
He was once again top scorer in [[1988–89 Port Vale F.C. season|1988–89]], this time bagging 23 goals as the club won promotion to the [[Football League Second Division|Second Division]] via the play-offs. He provided the crucial second goal of the [[1989 Football League Third Division play-off Final|1989 final]], flicking on a corner for [[Robbie Earle]] to knock into the net. Throughout the season he also managed hat-tricks against [[Chesterfield F.C.|Chesterfield]], [[Notts County F.C.|Notts County]], and [[Preston North End F.C.|Preston North End]]. Once again the club won every game in which he scored.


⚫
{{Blockquote|"Darren Beckford was a brilliant striker for the Vale, but a nightmare to manage. It was like throwing a [[blancmange]] at the wall, you just hope that a bit of it sticks!"|[[Manager (association football)|Manager]] John Rudge.<ref>{{cite book|last=Sherwin|first=Phil|title=The Port Vale Miscellany|publisher=The History Press|location=Brimscombe Port|year=2010|pages=142|isbn=978-0-7524-5777-2}}</ref>}}
He adapted well to tougher opposition in the [[1989–90 Port Vale F.C. season|1989–90]] season. He managed 21 goals to become the club's top scorer yet again.


⚫
He played 214 games and scored 81 times for [[John Rudge]]'s side. He was sold to [[Norwich City F.C.|Norwich City]] of the [[Football League First Division|First Division]] (soon to be rebranded as the [[Premier League]]) in June 1991.<ref>{{cite book|last=Kent|first=Jeff|title=Port Vale Personalities|publisher=Witan Books|page=22|year=1996|isbn=0-9529152-0-0}}</ref> The fee that Norwich paid for him – £925,000 – was set by a Football League tribunal (Vale had wanted £1.5 million) and was a [[List of Port Vale F.C. records and statistics|club record]] that stood until 1994. £200,000 of the sum went to Manchester City.<ref name="fund"/> Vale signed his brother Jason to replace him, though he could not replicate his elder sibling's success.
With 23 goals in [[1990–91 Port Vale F.C. season|1990–91]], he became the club's top scorer for the fourth consecutive season. He managed to bag a hat-trick against [[Blackburn Rovers F.C.|Blackburn Rovers]], and also found the net against former club Manchester City in the [[FA Cup]].

⚫
{{Quote|"Darren Beckford was a brilliant striker for the Vale, but a nightmare to manage. It was like throwing a [[blancmange]] at the wall, you just hope that a bit of it sticks!"|Manager John Rudge.<ref>{{cite book|last=Sherwin|first=Phil|title=The Port Vale Miscellany|publisher=The History Press|location=Brimscombe Port|year=2010|pages=142|isbn=978-0-7524-5777-2}}</ref>}}

⚫
In all he played 214 games and scored 81 times for [[John Rudge]]'s side. He was sold to [[Norwich City F.C.|Norwich City]] in June 1991.<ref>{{cite book|last=Kent|first=Jeff|title=Port Vale Personalities|publisher=Witan Books|page=22|year=1996|isbn=0-9529152-0-0}}</ref> The fee that Norwich paid for him – £925,000 – was set by a Football League tribunal (Vale had wanted £1.5 million) and was a [[List of Port Vale F.C. records and statistics|club record]] that stood until 1994. Vale signed his brother Jason to replace him, though he could not replicate his elder sibling's success.


===Norwich City===
===Norwich City===
Norwich manager [[Dave Stringer]] had been looking to sign a regular goalscorer for some time, and when Beckford signed he described him as "the answer to the Norwich supporters prayers". His spell at [[Carrow Road]] was inconsistent, however, and he only scored 13 times in 49 appearances. Supporters in particular criticised the fact that many of these goals were scored against weaker opposition in the [[EFL Cup|League Cup]]. The highlight of his time at Norwich was his hat-trick in a 4–3 win against [[Everton F.C.|Everton]] – a victory which would prove key to the Canaries avoiding the drop in [[1991–92 Norwich City F.C. season|1991–92]]. That season he also proved to be a versatile player, taking over in goal when [[Bryan Gunn]] sustained a back injury during a game against [[Sheffield United F.C.|Sheffield United]] at [[Bramall Lane]]. He made a number of fines saves but was finally beaten [[Ian Bryson]] in a 1–0 defeat.
Norwich manager [[Dave Stringer]] had been looking to sign a regular goalscorer for some time, and when Beckford signed, he described Beckford as "the answer to the Norwich supporter's prayers". However, he injured his thigh in pre-season training in Russia and, by Christmas, underwent a double [[hernia]] operation.<ref name="beano2">{{cite journal |title=The Darren Beckford Interview (Part 2) |journal=The Vale Park Beano |volume=46}}</ref> His spell at [[Carrow Road]] was inconsistent and he only scored 13 times in 49 appearances. Supporters, in particular, criticised that many of these goals were scored against weaker opposition in the [[EFL Cup|League Cup]]. The highlight of his time at Norwich was his hat-trick in a 4–3 win against [[Everton F.C.|Everton]] – a victory which would prove key to the Canaries avoiding the drop in [[1991–92 Norwich City F.C. season|1991–92]]. That season, he also proved to be a versatile player, taking over in goal when [[Bryan Gunn]] sustained a back injury during a game against [[Sheffield United F.C.|Sheffield United]] at [[Bramall Lane]]. He made several fine saves but was finally beaten [[Ian Bryson]] in a 1–0 defeat. He did, though, end the season with a ruptured ankle [[ligament]] sustained in the penultimate match of the campaign.<ref name="beano2"/>


The [[1992–93 Norwich City F.C. season|1992–93]] season signalled the beginning of the end for Beckford as a Norwich City player. In the close season [[Mike Walker (Welsh footballer)|Mike Walker]] signed [[Mark Robins]] for £800,000 from [[Manchester United F.C.|Manchester United]], and started to push [[Chris Sutton]] up from central defence to lead the Norwich attack. A lack of form also meant that he had now fallen behind [[Lee Power]] and [[Rob Newman (footballer)|Rob Newman]] in the pecking order. However Beckford was still able to make some crucial contributions, including a scoring a vital goal in a 3–2 victory against fellow title chasers [[Aston Villa F.C.|Aston Villa]] at [[Villa Park]].
The [[1992–93 Norwich City F.C. season|1992–93]] season signalled the beginning of the end for Beckford as a Norwich City player. In the close season, [[Mike Walker (Welsh footballer)|Mike Walker]] signed [[Mark Robins]] for £800,000 from [[Manchester United F.C.|Manchester United]] and started to push [[Chris Sutton]] up from central defence to lead the Norwich attack. A lack of form also meant that he had now fallen behind [[Lee Power]] and [[Rob Newman (footballer)|Rob Newman]] in the pecking order. However, Beckford was still able to make some crucial contributions, including scoring a vital goal in a 3–2 victory against fellow title chasers [[Aston Villa F.C.|Aston Villa]] at [[Villa Park]].


===Oldham and final years===
===Oldham and final years===
After less than two seasons with Norwich, Beckford was sold to [[Oldham Athletic A.F.C.|Oldham Athletic]] in 1993 for £300,000. He played 52 times and scored 17 goals before being released in the summer of 1996. He then spent the next two years unsuccessfully searching for a club to give him first team football. Initially after leaving Oldham he joined [[Heart of Midlothian F.C.|Hearts]], where he contributed to their run to the [[1996 Scottish League Cup Final]]. After goals against [[St Johnstone F.C.|St Johnstone]]<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.heraldscotland.com/sport/spl/aberdeen/o-boyle-goal-raises-saints-hopes-but-it-s-all-in-vain-robertson-eases-the-pressure-on-hearts-1.437640|title=O'Boyle goal raises Saints' hopes but it's all in vain Robertson eases the pressure on Hearts|publisher=Herald Scotland|accessdate=4 December 2011}}</ref> and [[Dundee F.C.|Dundee]],<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/hearts-claim-place-in-final-1359946.html?CMP=ILC-refresh|title=Hearts claim place in final|publisher=Independent|accessdate=5 December 2011|location=London|first=David|last=McKinney|date=24 October 1996}}</ref> he played as a substitute in the final itself. These were however the only two goals he scored for Hearts. He then signed short term deals with [[Fulham F.C.|Fulham]], [[Walsall F.C.|Walsall]], [[Rushden & Diamonds F.C.|Rushden & Diamonds]], [[Southport F.C.|Southport]], [[The New Saints F.C.|Total Network Solutions]],<ref name="ntsb">{{cite web |url=https://welsh-premier.com/index.php/component/playersearch/detail/1885/player/10105?Itemid=1885 |title=Darren Beckford |publisher=welsh-premier.com |accessdate=23 May 2018 }}{{Dead link|date=July 2019 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> [[Bury F.C.|Bury]], and [[Bacup Borough F.C.|Bacup Borough]] before retiring.<ref name="exc"/>
After less than two seasons with Norwich, Beckford was sold to [[Oldham Athletic A.F.C.|Oldham Athletic]] in March 1993 for £300,000.<ref name="beano2"/> Manager [[Joe Royle]] had been a long-term admirer of Beckford.<ref name="beano2"/> He played 52 times and scored 17 goals before being released in the summer of 1996 after sustaining a [[hamstring]] injury.<ref name="beano2"/> He then unsuccessfully searched for a club to give him first-team football for the next two years. Initially, after leaving Oldham, he joined [[Heart of Midlothian F.C.|Hearts]], where he contributed to their run to the [[1996 Scottish League Cup final]]. After goals against [[St Johnstone F.C.|St Johnstone]]<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.heraldscotland.com/sport/spl/aberdeen/o-boyle-goal-raises-saints-hopes-but-it-s-all-in-vain-robertson-eases-the-pressure-on-hearts-1.437640|title=O'Boyle goal raises Saints' hopes but it's all in vain Robertson eases the pressure on Hearts|publisher=Herald Scotland|access-date=4 December 2011}}</ref> and [[Dundee F.C.|Dundee]],<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/hearts-claim-place-in-final-1359946.html?CMP=ILC-refresh|title=Hearts claim place in final|publisher=Independent|access-date=5 December 2011|location=London|first=David|last=McKinney|date=24 October 1996}}</ref> he played as a [[Substitute (association football)|substitute]] in the final itself. These were, however, the only two goals he scored for Hearts. He then signed short-term deals with [[Fulham F.C.|Fulham]], [[Walsall F.C.|Walsall]], [[Rushden & Diamonds F.C.|Rushden & Diamonds]], [[Southport F.C.|Southport]],<ref>{{cite web |title=Player Details |url=http://www.southportfootballclub.co.uk/players/player-details/?id=1718 |website=SFC FPA |access-date=1 November 2022 |date=9 November 2016}}</ref> [[The New Saints F.C.|Total Network Solutions]],<ref name="ntsb">{{cite web |url=https://welsh-premier.com/index.php/component/playersearch/detail/1885/player/10105?Itemid=1885 |title=Darren Beckford |publisher=welsh-premier.com |access-date=23 May 2018 }}{{Dead link|date=July 2019 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> [[Bury F.C.|Bury]], and [[Bacup Borough F.C.|Bacup Borough]] before retiring.<ref name="flown"/>


==Style of play==
==Style of play==
Beckford was an athletic [[Forward (association football)|forward]], who had pace, power and a tremendous leap.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Earle|first1=Robbie|title=Robbie Earle: Alex Jones follows some great Port Vale finishers|url=http://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/robbie-earle-alex-jones-follows-some-great-port-vale-finishers/story-29909384-detail/story.html|accessdate=17 November 2016|work=Stoke Sentinel|date=17 November 2016}}{{dead link|date=December 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>
Beckford was an athletic [[Forward (association football)|forward]] who had pace, power and a tremendous leap.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Earle|first1=Robbie|title=Robbie Earle: Alex Jones follows some great Port Vale finishers|url=http://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/robbie-earle-alex-jones-follows-some-great-port-vale-finishers/story-29909384-detail/story.html|access-date=17 November 2016|work=Stoke Sentinel|date=17 November 2016}}{{dead link|date=December 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>


==Post-retirement==
==Post-retirement==
Beckford also began working for [[The Prince's Trust]] working with youngsters in [[Manchester]].<ref name="Rovv">{{cite web|url=http://www.thisisstaffordshire.co.uk/news/Memory-Match-Bristol-Rovers-1-Port-Vale-1-31-1989/article-2578985-detail/article.html|title=Memory Match: Bristol Rovers 1 Port Vale 1 May 31, 1989|last=Sherwin|first=Phil|date=28 August 2010|work=The Sentinel|accessdate=29 August 2010}}</ref> In September 1998 he won a successful tribunal case against the trust for being racially victimised.<ref name="exc"/>
Beckford also began working for [[The Prince's Trust]] working with youngsters in [[Manchester]].<ref name="Rovv">{{cite web|url=http://www.thisisstaffordshire.co.uk/news/Memory-Match-Bristol-Rovers-1-Port-Vale-1-31-1989/article-2578985-detail/article.html|title=Memory Match: Bristol Rovers 1 Port Vale 1 May 31, 1989|last=Sherwin|first=Phil|date=28 August 2010|work=The Sentinel|access-date=29 August 2010}}</ref> In September 1998 he won a successful tribunal case against the trust for being racially victimised.<ref name="flown"/>


Beckford was featured on the Sky Sports series "Where Are They Now?",{{When|date=June 2010}} and he is now working as an attendance officer at Claremont Primary School in Moss Side, Manchester.<ref name="exc">[http://www.ex-canaries.co.uk/players/beckford.htm Career Information] on Flown from the Nest website</ref>
Beckford was featured on the Sky Sports series "Where Are They Now?",{{When|date=June 2010}} and he is now working as an attendance officer at Claremont Primary School in Moss Side, Manchester.<ref name="flown"/>


==Statistics==
==Personal life==
His parents, Dudley and Valdene, were from [[Jamaica]].<ref name="black coach">{{cite web |last1=HiProfile.com |first1=Paul Martin- |title=Black Coaches Canada Present Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, Advocacy in Sports |url=https://www.blackcoaches.ca/jasonbeckford.html |website=Black Coaches Canada |access-date=5 March 2022 |language=en}}</ref> His brother [[Jason Beckford]] is a former professional footballer. His nephew [[Ethan Beckford]] has also played professional football.<ref>{{cite web |title=Ethan Beckford - Men's Soccer |url=https://gopsusports.com/sports/mens-soccer/roster/ethan-beckford/3388 |website=Penn State University Athletics |access-date=15 August 2020 |language=en}}</ref> Lauren, his daughter from his first marriage, played for [[Manchester United W.F.C.|Manchester United Women]] and [[Everton F.C. (women)|Everton]].<ref name="beano2"/> His stepson, [[Danny Webber]], also played professional football.<ref>{{Citation|last1=Williams|first1=Alex|last2=Buckley|first2=Andy|title=You Saw Me Standing Alone|publisher=Bucko Media|year=2023|isbn=978-1-3999-5882-0}}</ref>
⚫
Source:<ref>{{ENFA}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Player Details|url=http://www.southportfootballclub.co.uk/players/player-details/?id=1718|website=Port Online|accessdate=28 August 2017|date=9 November 2016}}</ref><ref name="ntsb"/><ref>{{Soccerbase}}</ref>


==Career statistics==
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align: center;"
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
⚫
|+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competition<ref>{{ENFA}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Player Details|url=http://www.southportfootballclub.co.uk/players/player-details/?id=1718|website=Port Online|access-date=28 August 2017|date=9 November 2016}}</ref><ref name="ntsb"/><ref>{{Soccerbase}}</ref><ref name="hearts">{{cite web |title=Darren Beckford - Hearts Career - from 14 Aug 1996 to 14 Dec 1996 |url=https://www.londonhearts.com/scores/newplayers/h01652.html |website=www.londonhearts.com |access-date=14 November 2023}}</ref>
|-
|-
!rowspan="2"|Club
!rowspan="2"|Club
!rowspan="2"|Season
!rowspan="2"|Season
!rowspan="2"|Division
!colspan="3"|League
!colspan="2"|League
!colspan="2"|National Cup
!colspan="2"|FA Cup
!colspan="2"|Other
!colspan="2"|Other
!colspan="2"|Total
!colspan="2"|Total
|-
|-
!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals
!Division!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals
|-
|-
|rowspan="4"|[[Manchester City F.C.|Manchester City]]
|rowspan="4"|[[Manchester City F.C.|Manchester City]]
Line 105: Line 105:
|12||5||0||0||0||0||12||5
|12||5||0||0||0||0||12||5
|-
|-
|rowspan="6"|[[Port Vale F.C.|Port Vale]]
|[[Port Vale F.C.|Port Vale]] (loan)
|[[1986–87 Port Vale F.C. season|1986–87]]
|Third Division
|11||4||0||0||0||0||11||4
|-
|rowspan="6"|Port Vale
|[[1986–87 Port Vale F.C. season|1986–87]]
|[[1986–87 Port Vale F.C. season|1986–87]]
|Third Division
|Third Division
Line 160: Line 165:
!colspan="2"|Total
!colspan="2"|Total
!52!!11!!9!!5!!4!!1!!65!!17
!52!!11!!9!!5!!4!!1!!65!!17
|-
|[[Heart of Midlothian F.C.|Heart of Midlothian]]
|[[1996–97 Heart of Midlothian F.C. season|1996–97]]
|[[Scottish Football League Premier Division|Scottish Premier Division]]
|8||0||0||0||4||2||12||2
|-
|-
|[[Preston North End F.C.|Preston North End]]
|[[Preston North End F.C.|Preston North End]]
Line 192: Line 202:
|-
|-
!colspan="3"|Career total
!colspan="3"|Career total
!305!!96!!28!!10!!35!!12!!368!!118
!313!!96!!28!!10!!39!!14!!380!!120
|}
|}


==Honours==
==Honours==
;Port Vale
'''Port Vale'''
*[[Football League Third Division]] [[Football League One play-offs|play-off]] winner: [[1989 Football League Third Division play-off Final|1989]]<ref>{{cite book|last=Kent|first=Jeff|title=Port Vale Promotion Chronicle 1988-1989: Back to Where We Once Belonged!|publisher=Witan Books|year=1989|isbn=0-9508981-3-9}}</ref>
*[[Football League Third Division]] [[Football League One play-offs|play-offs]]: [[1989 Football League Third Division play-off final|1989]]<ref>{{cite book|last=Kent|first=Jeff|title=Port Vale Promotion Chronicle 1988-1989: Back to Where We Once Belonged!|publisher=Witan Books|year=1989|isbn=0-9508981-3-9}}</ref>


==References==
==References==
Line 206: Line 216:
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:People from Moss Side]]
[[Category:People from Moss Side]]
[[Category:English footballers]]
[[Category:English men's footballers]]
[[Category:Black English sportspeople]]
[[Category:Black British sportsmen]]
[[Category:Association football forwards]]
[[Category:English people of Jamaican descent]]
[[Category:Sportspeople of Jamaican descent]]
[[Category:Men's association football forwards]]
[[Category:Manchester City F.C. players]]
[[Category:Manchester City F.C. players]]
[[Category:Bury F.C. players]]
[[Category:Bury F.C. players]]
Line 227: Line 239:
[[Category:National League (English football) players]]
[[Category:National League (English football) players]]
[[Category:Cymru Premier players]]
[[Category:Cymru Premier players]]
[[Category:Former Jehovah's Witnesses]]

Latest revision as of 23:31, 13 October 2024

Darren Beckford
Personal information
Full name Darren Richard Lorenzo Beckford[1]
Date of birth (1967-05-12) 12 May 1967 (age 57)[2]
Place of birth Moss Side, Manchester, England
Height 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)[3]
Position(s) Forward
Youth career
1980–1984 Manchester City
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1984–1987 Manchester City 11 (0)
1985 → Bury (loan) 12 (5)
1987 → Port Vale (loan) 11 (4)
1987–1991 Port Vale 167 (67)
1991–1993 Norwich City 38 (8)
1993–1996 Oldham Athletic 52 (11)
1996–1997 Heart of Midlothian 8 (0)
1997 Preston North End 2 (0)
1997 Fulham 0 (0)
1997 Walsall 8 (0)
1997 Rushden & Diamonds
1997 Southport 0 (0)
1997 Total Network Solutions 4 (1)
1997–1998 Bury 0 (0)
1998 Bacup Borough
Total 313 (96)
International career
1982 England Schoolboys
1983–1984 England U17 15 (6)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Darren Richard Lorenzo Beckford (born 12 May 1967) is an English former professional footballer who played as a forward. His younger brother Jason also played professional football.

In fourteen years as a professional footballer, he scored 96 goals in 302 league games. Advancing through the Manchester City youth team, he also spent a brief time on loan at Bury before joining Port Vale in 1987. He enjoyed the most successful time of his career at Vale, scoring 68 goals in 167 league games, helping the club to promotion via the play-offs in 1989. After four successive seasons as the club's top scorer, he earned a £925,000 move to Norwich City in 1991. Unable to find the form he hit at Vale Park, he was sold to Oldham Athletic for £300,000 in 1993. Three years later, he moved on to Scottish side Hearts. He later played for Preston North End, Fulham, Walsall, Rushden & Diamonds, Southport, Total Network Solutions, Bury and Bacup Borough.

Career

[edit]

Manchester City

[edit]

Beckford was a product of the Manchester City youth team and made his first-team debut at the age of 16.[4] As a member of Jehovah's Witnesses, he rejected the opportunity to represent England at youth team level as he refused to stand for the national anthem, seeing it as saluting the flag and therefore unchristian behaviour.[4] This is a somewhat dubious claim considering he played for the England Under 17 side on fifteen occasions. The management at Maine Road took a dim view at this stance and did not play him in the first-team for another 12 months.[4] He went out on loan at Third Division club Bury, scoring five goals in twelve games at Gigg Lane.[4]

Port Vale

[edit]

Beckford joined Port Vale on an initial loan basis, with Manchester City manager Jimmy Frizzell believing that a striking partnership with another youngster in Andy Jones would aid his development.[4] He stayed for three months at the end of the 1986–87 season and then joined the club permanently for a fee of £15,000 (plus 50% of any future transfer fee – a clause that Vale later bought out for an undisclosed sum).[4][5] This was settled by a Football League tribunal as a compromise between Vale's offer of £5,000 and City's demand of £60,000.[6] Vale fans raised £7,500 of the fee with a 'buy a player' fund.[5] He later admitted that throughout his early career his nerves caused him to vomit before games.[7]

"A terrific goal-scorer. Darren was very athletic, had unbelievable spring in his legs and could finish. As a striker, he ticked all the boxes. If we came up against a top team, we knew he was easily good enough to hold his own. Darren had a unique personality. If someone upset him off the pitch then you knew it could affect his performance. Then again, management would be easy if every player was like Andy Porter. In his case, you just gave him the shirt, told him what to do and then let him get on with it. In Becky's case, he was more likely to stop the training session halfway through to ask why we were doing such-and-such drills. The rest of us would be urging him to just get on with it, or we'd never get finished."

— Robbie Earle in 2012.[8]

He scored his first hat-trick for the club on 2 April 1988, during a 5–0 demolition of Doncaster Rovers.[9] Throughout 1987–88 he was the club's top scorer with ten goals, along with David Riley. That season Vale won every game in which Beckford made it onto the score sheet. He was once again top scorer in 1988–89, this time bagging 23 goals as the club won promotion to the Second Division via the play-offs. On 19 September, he scored a hat-trick in a 5–0 home win over Chesterfield. On 25 March, he scored a hat-trick in a 4–1 victory over Notts County.[5] On 25 May, he scored a hat-trick as Vale beat Preston North End 3–1 in the play-off semi-final second leg, giving them a 4–2 aggregate victory. He also provided the crucial second goal of the 1989 final, flicking on a corner for Robbie Earle to knock into the net. He adapted well to tougher opposition in the 1989–90 season. He managed 21 goals to become the club's top scorer yet again. He became the club's top scorer for the fourth consecutive season with 23 goals in 1990–91. He managed to bag a hat-trick against Blackburn Rovers and also found the net against former club Manchester City in the FA Cup. After the hat-trick against Blackburn, Beckford told the press he was happy at the club and dismissed numerous transfer rumours linking him with moves to other clubs.[10]

"Darren Beckford was a brilliant striker for the Vale, but a nightmare to manage. It was like throwing a blancmange at the wall, you just hope that a bit of it sticks!"

— Manager John Rudge.[11]

He played 214 games and scored 81 times for John Rudge's side. He was sold to Norwich City of the First Division (soon to be rebranded as the Premier League) in June 1991.[12] The fee that Norwich paid for him – £925,000 – was set by a Football League tribunal (Vale had wanted £1.5 million) and was a club record that stood until 1994. £200,000 of the sum went to Manchester City.[5] Vale signed his brother Jason to replace him, though he could not replicate his elder sibling's success.

Norwich City

[edit]

Norwich manager Dave Stringer had been looking to sign a regular goalscorer for some time, and when Beckford signed, he described Beckford as "the answer to the Norwich supporter's prayers". However, he injured his thigh in pre-season training in Russia and, by Christmas, underwent a double hernia operation.[13] His spell at Carrow Road was inconsistent and he only scored 13 times in 49 appearances. Supporters, in particular, criticised that many of these goals were scored against weaker opposition in the League Cup. The highlight of his time at Norwich was his hat-trick in a 4–3 win against Everton – a victory which would prove key to the Canaries avoiding the drop in 1991–92. That season, he also proved to be a versatile player, taking over in goal when Bryan Gunn sustained a back injury during a game against Sheffield United at Bramall Lane. He made several fine saves but was finally beaten Ian Bryson in a 1–0 defeat. He did, though, end the season with a ruptured ankle ligament sustained in the penultimate match of the campaign.[13]

The 1992–93 season signalled the beginning of the end for Beckford as a Norwich City player. In the close season, Mike Walker signed Mark Robins for £800,000 from Manchester United and started to push Chris Sutton up from central defence to lead the Norwich attack. A lack of form also meant that he had now fallen behind Lee Power and Rob Newman in the pecking order. However, Beckford was still able to make some crucial contributions, including scoring a vital goal in a 3–2 victory against fellow title chasers Aston Villa at Villa Park.

Oldham and final years

[edit]

After less than two seasons with Norwich, Beckford was sold to Oldham Athletic in March 1993 for £300,000.[13] Manager Joe Royle had been a long-term admirer of Beckford.[13] He played 52 times and scored 17 goals before being released in the summer of 1996 after sustaining a hamstring injury.[13] He then unsuccessfully searched for a club to give him first-team football for the next two years. Initially, after leaving Oldham, he joined Hearts, where he contributed to their run to the 1996 Scottish League Cup final. After goals against St Johnstone[14] and Dundee,[15] he played as a substitute in the final itself. These were, however, the only two goals he scored for Hearts. He then signed short-term deals with Fulham, Walsall, Rushden & Diamonds, Southport,[16] Total Network Solutions,[17] Bury, and Bacup Borough before retiring.[2]

Style of play

[edit]

Beckford was an athletic forward who had pace, power and a tremendous leap.[18]

Post-retirement

[edit]

Beckford also began working for The Prince's Trust working with youngsters in Manchester.[19] In September 1998 he won a successful tribunal case against the trust for being racially victimised.[2]

Beckford was featured on the Sky Sports series "Where Are They Now?",[when?] and he is now working as an attendance officer at Claremont Primary School in Moss Side, Manchester.[2]

Personal life

[edit]

His parents, Dudley and Valdene, were from Jamaica.[20] His brother Jason Beckford is a former professional footballer. His nephew Ethan Beckford has also played professional football.[21] Lauren, his daughter from his first marriage, played for Manchester United Women and Everton.[13] His stepson, Danny Webber, also played professional football.[22]

Career statistics

[edit]
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition[23][24][17][25][26]
Club Season League National Cup Other Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Manchester City 1984–85 Second Division 4 0 0 0 1 0 5 0
1985–86 First Division 3 0 0 0 0 0 3 0
1986–87 First Division 4 0 0 0 0 0 4 0
Total 11 0 0 0 1 0 12 0
Bury (loan) 1985–86 Third Division 12 5 0 0 0 0 12 5
Port Vale (loan) 1986–87 Third Division 11 4 0 0 0 0 11 4
Port Vale 1986–87 Third Division 11 4 0 0 0 0 11 4
1987–88 Third Division 40 9 6 1 4 0 50 10
1988–89 Third Division 42 20 3 0 10 3 55 23
1989–90 Second Division 42 17 3 1 6 3 51 21
1990–91 Second Division 43 21 2 2 2 0 47 23
Total 178 71 14 4 22 6 214 81
Norwich City 1991–92 First Division 30 7 3 0 6 4 39 11
1992–93 Premier League 8 1 2 1 0 0 10 2
Total 38 8 5 1 6 4 49 13
Oldham Athletic 1992–93 Premier League 7 3 0 0 0 0 7 3
1993–94 Premier League 22 6 6 3 2 1 30 10
1994–95 First Division 3 0 2 0 0 0 5 0
1995–96 First Division 20 2 1 2 2 0 23 4
Total 52 11 9 5 4 1 65 17
Heart of Midlothian 1996–97 Scottish Premier Division 8 0 0 0 4 2 12 2
Preston North End 1996–97 Second Division 2 0 0 0 1 0 3 0
Fulham 1996–97 Third Division 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Walsall 1996–97 Second Division 8 0 0 0 0 0 8 0
Southport 1997–98 Conference 0 0 0 0 1 1 1 1
Total Network Solutions 1997–98 League of Wales 4 1 0 0 0 0 4 1
Bury 1997–98 First Division 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Career total 313 96 28 10 39 14 380 120

Honours

[edit]

Port Vale

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Sherwin, Phil (2010). The Port Vale Miscellany. Brimscombe Port: The History Press. p. 32. ISBN 978-0-7524-5777-2.
  2. ^ a b c d "Flown From the Nest - Darren Beckford". www.ex-canaries.co.uk. Retrieved 30 October 2022.
  3. ^ Rollin, Jack, ed. (1980). Rothmans Football Yearbook 1980–81. London: Queen Anne Press. p. 230. ISBN 0362020175.
  4. ^ a b c d e f "The Darren Beckford Interview". The Vale Park Beano. 45.
  5. ^ a b c d Baggaley, Michael (25 March 2020). "Bargain buy Darren was the darling of Port Vale fans after Notts County treble". Stoke Sentinel. Retrieved 30 March 2020.
  6. ^ Kent, Jeff (December 1991). Port Vale Tales: A Collection Of Stories, Anecdotes And Memories. Witan Books. p. 262. ISBN 0-9508981-6-3.
  7. ^ Sherwin, Phil (9 July 2011). "Underdog has its day as Vale rout Ipswich Town". The Sentinel.
  8. ^ Earle, Robbie (26 October 2012). "Pope is having a great season, but these Port Vale strikers are top of my hit parade". The Sentinel. Retrieved 27 October 2012.
  9. ^ "Clipping Hero #1: Darren Beckford". onevalefan.co.uk. 16 May 2015. Retrieved 5 June 2020.
  10. ^ Baggaley, Mike (10 March 2024). "Shrewsbury loss shoves Vale closer to the drop". Valiant's Substack. Retrieved 10 March 2024.
  11. ^ Sherwin, Phil (2010). The Port Vale Miscellany. Brimscombe Port: The History Press. p. 142. ISBN 978-0-7524-5777-2.
  12. ^ Kent, Jeff (1996). Port Vale Personalities. Witan Books. p. 22. ISBN 0-9529152-0-0.
  13. ^ a b c d e f "The Darren Beckford Interview (Part 2)". The Vale Park Beano. 46.
  14. ^ "O'Boyle goal raises Saints' hopes but it's all in vain Robertson eases the pressure on Hearts". Herald Scotland. Retrieved 4 December 2011.
  15. ^ McKinney, David (24 October 1996). "Hearts claim place in final". London: Independent. Retrieved 5 December 2011.
  16. ^ "Player Details". SFC FPA. 9 November 2016. Retrieved 1 November 2022.
  17. ^ a b "Darren Beckford". welsh-premier.com. Retrieved 23 May 2018.[permanent dead link‍]
  18. ^ Earle, Robbie (17 November 2016). "Robbie Earle: Alex Jones follows some great Port Vale finishers". Stoke Sentinel. Retrieved 17 November 2016.[permanent dead link‍]
  19. ^ Sherwin, Phil (28 August 2010). "Memory Match: Bristol Rovers 1 Port Vale 1 May 31, 1989". The Sentinel. Retrieved 29 August 2010.
  20. ^ HiProfile.com, Paul Martin-. "Black Coaches Canada Present Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, Advocacy in Sports". Black Coaches Canada. Retrieved 5 March 2022.
  21. ^ "Ethan Beckford - Men's Soccer". Penn State University Athletics. Retrieved 15 August 2020.
  22. ^ Williams, Alex; Buckley, Andy (2023), You Saw Me Standing Alone, Bucko Media, ISBN 978-1-3999-5882-0
  23. ^ Darren Beckford at the English National Football Archive (subscription required)
  24. ^ "Player Details". Port Online. 9 November 2016. Retrieved 28 August 2017.
  25. ^ Darren Beckford at Soccerbase Edit this at Wikidata
  26. ^ "Darren Beckford - Hearts Career - from 14 Aug 1996 to 14 Dec 1996". www.londonhearts.com. Retrieved 14 November 2023.
  27. ^ Kent, Jeff (1989). Port Vale Promotion Chronicle 1988-1989: Back to Where We Once Belonged!. Witan Books. ISBN 0-9508981-3-9.
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