Darren Young (Scottish footballer) explained

Darren Young
Birth Date:13 October 1978
Birth Place:Cambuslang, Scotland
Position:Midfielder
Youthclubs1:Cathkin United
Youthclubs2:Mill United
Youthyears3:1993–1995
Youthclubs3:Aberdeen
Years1:1995–2003
Clubs1:Aberdeen
Caps1:132
Goals1:4
Years2:1995–1996
Clubs2:→ Crombie Sports (loan)
Years3:2003–2008
Clubs3:Dunfermline Athletic
Caps3:124
Goals3:8
Years4:2008–2010
Clubs4:Dundee
Caps4:13
Goals4:2
Years5:2010
Clubs5:Queen of the South (trial)
Caps5:2
Goals5:0
Years6:2010–2011
Clubs6:Greenock Morton
Caps6:14
Goals6:0
Years7:2011–2014
Clubs7:Alloa Athletic
Caps7:71
Goals7:2
Years8:2014–2017
Clubs8:Albion Rovers
Caps8:21
Goals8:2
Years9:2017–2019
Clubs9:East Fife
Caps9:0
Goals9:0
Nationalyears1:1997–2000
Nationalteam1:Scotland U21
Nationalcaps1:7
Nationalgoals1:0
Manageryears1:2014–2017
Managerclubs1:Albion Rovers
Manageryears2:2017–2021
Managerclubs2:East Fife
Managerclubs3:Stirling Albion
Manageryears3:2021–2024

Darren Young (born 13 October 1978) is a Scottish football coach and former player, who was most recently the manager of Stirling Albion.

Over the course of his career he has also played for Aberdeen, Dundee, Dunfermline Athletic and Greenock Morton. Between his spells at Dundee and Morton, Young played two trial matches for Queen of the South.

Young has also managed several clubs, being in charge of Albion Rovers and East Fife in the Scottish lower leagues.

Playing career

Aberdeen

Born in Glasgow, Young grew up in Whitlawburn, Cambuslang and attended Cathkin High School.[1] He started his career at Aberdeen (where he was later to be joined by younger brother Derek), joining the senior squad after a loan spell at Crombie Sports on 29 February 1996. He made a quick impact, making his first team debut against Hearts in August 1996, aged only 17. Young's prodigious development which had seen him awarded several Scotland Under-21 caps was hindered however, by a serious knee injury which required three separate operations to repair.

Young made a successful return to the Aberdeen first team in 2000, by which stage his brother Derek was also an established member of Ebbe Skovdahl's resurgent side. Darren was soon awarded the captaincy and led the Dons to a 4th-place finish in the league in the 2001–02 season. This ensured European football returned to Pittodrie and Young increased his continental appearances to 10, as Aberdeen played FC Nistru Otaci and Hertha BSC Berlin in the 2002–03 UEFA Cup.

Dunfermline Athletic

Darren and his brother Derek both joined Dunfermline Athletic in July 2003, as part of Jimmy Calderwood's new-look side. They were part of the team defeated 3–1 by Celtic in the Scottish Cup Final at Hampden Park in May 2004.[2] Young was once again blighted by injuries the following season but helped the Pars retain their SPL status in the 2005–06 season. They also reached the League Cup Final where Celtic again proved too strong – Young scored the winning goal in the semis, but did not play in that final due to a foot injury.[3]

In July 2006, his brother was released by Dunfermline (eventually signing for St Johnstone), ensuring the Young brothers would play separately for the first time in their professional careers. In the 2007 Scottish Cup Final, Dunfermline and Young lost to Celtic in a major final for the third time in quick succession, with the player receiving the small consolation of the Man of the match award.[3] [4] The club had already been relegated from the top division weeks earlier.

After defeat in another cup final, this time in the 2007–08 Scottish Challenge Cup,[3] in May 2008 Young rejected Dunfermline's final contract offer meaning he would leave East End Park after five years with the Pars.[5]

Dundee

In May 2008, Young signed for First Division club Dundee.[6] Young was sent off after three minutes into his debut for Dundee, during a league match against Clyde at Broadwood Stadium after pulling back an opponent. He was released by the club on 4 May 2010.[7]

Later playing career

Young featured in two games as a trialist for Dumfries club Queen of the South early in the 2010–11 season, during the reign of Kenny Brannigan's management. In the second game for the Palmerston club he was substituted due to injury after 10 minutes. Young then went on trial at Greenock Morton after a spate of injuries to their midfield. He was offered training facilities and the possibility of trial matches.[8] After playing well in his three games, he was signed until the end of the year.[9] After a dozen league appearances, Young was released in May 2011.

Young signed for Alloa Athletic in July 2011. He was appointed captain and led the team to the Third Division title in the 2011–12 season.[10]

International career

Young won seven Scotland under-21 caps. He also travelled with the Scotland squad to the 1998 FIFA World Cup as a hamper boy.[11]

Coaching career

Albion Rovers

Young was appointed player/manager of League Two club Albion Rovers in June 2014.[12] In his first match in charge, he scored the winning penalty as Albion Rovers beat Airdrieonians 4–2 on penalties following a 2–2 draw in the Scottish Challenge Cup on 26 July 2014.[13] Young won the League Two championship and promotion in his first season as a manager, sealing the league with a 3–2 win against Clyde.[14] [15]

On getting his team promoted into League One, despite budget restraints and low expectations Young led Albion Rovers to their best start to a third tier season in the club's history, taking 28 points from their first 17 games and placed third. They finished the 2015–16 Scottish League One season in sixth place. Towards the end of the 2016–17 season, Albion Rovers announced that Young would leave the club as they had failed to agree a new contract.[16]

East Fife

Shortly after leaving Albion Rovers, Young was appointed manager of Scottish League One club East Fife on 3 June 2017.[17] He was sacked in November 2021, after a defeat against Clyde that left East Fife five points adrift at the bottom of League One.[18]

Stirling Albion

On 20 December 2021, Young was named as the new manager of Scottish League Two side Stirling Albion.[19] They won promotion to League One in 2023 by winning the 2022–23 Scottish League Two championship, but Young left the club on 13 May 2024 after the Binos were relegated back into League Two.[20]

Career statistics

Club

Club! rowspan="2"
SeasonLeagueScottish CupLeague CupEuropeOtherTotal
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Aberdeen1996–97Scottish Premier Division261202041342
1997–985000100060
1998–99Scottish Premier League110000000110
1999–003010000040
2000–01311301020371
2001–02321302000371
2002–03241002040301
Total13249080101001595
Dunfermline Athletic2003-04Scottish Premier League321512100393
2004-05353301020413
2005-06212103100253
2006-07212302000262
2007-08Scottish First Division15000102020200
Total124812192402015111
Dundee2008-09Scottish First Division82000082
2009-105010001070
Total13210000010152
Queen of the South (trial)2010-11Scottish First Division20000020
Greenock Morton2010-11Scottish First Division1310000140
2011-1210000010
Total14100000000150
Alloa Athletic2011-12Scottish Third Division322100010342
2012-13Scottish Second Division21010105-280
2013-14Scottish Championship1702010200
Total71240200060832
Albion Rovers2014-15Scottish League Two191111010222
2015-16Scottish League One121000010131
2016-170000002020
Total21211100040273
East Fife2017-18Scottish League One00001010
Career total3771927221214113045323

Managerial record

As of 11 May 2024

TeamFromToRecord
GWDLWin %
Albion Rovers10 June 20146 May 2017
East Fife3 June 201730 November 2021
Stirling Albion20 December 202113 May 2024
Total

Honours and achievements

Player

Alloa Athletic

2011–12

Manager

Albion Rovers

2014–15

Stirling Albion

2022-23

Individual

References

https://spfl.co.uk/news/east-fife-part-company-with-young

External links

Notes and References

  1. News: Derek Young's spell in Iceland was a real eye-opener after their success at Euro 2016 . . 13 July 2016 . 13 December 2016.
  2. News: Larsson caps Celtic triumph. BBC Sport. 4 November 1997. 4 November 2017.
  3. Web site: Young to be part of Morton's push . . 30 January 2011 . 22 June 2017.
  4. News: Celtic 1-0 Dunfermline . 26 May 2007. BBC Sport. 4 November 2017.
  5. News: Pars set to unveil signings . 18 May 2008 . . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20080520173150/http://www.thecourier.co.uk/output/2008/05/17/sportstory11374422t0.asp . 20 May 2008 .
  6. Web site: Young completes Dundee transfer. BBC Sport . 27 May 2008 . 27 May 2008.
  7. News: Dundee aim to axe 16 from squad . BBC Sport. 4 May 2010. 4 May 2010.
  8. News: Young on trial at Morton . https://archive.today/20120910134417/http://www.scottishfootballleague.com/news/article/young-on-trial-at-morton/ . dead . 10 September 2012 . . 21 October 2010 . 21 October 2010 .
  9. News: Darren Young signs . Greenock Morton FC . 12 November 2010 . 12 November 2010 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20110716225122/http://www.gmfc.net/News/%26action%3Dfullnews%26id%3D446 . 16 July 2011 .
  10. News: Alloa bring in experienced Brian Kerr. The Scotsman. Craig. Stewart. 4 July 2011. 4 July 2011.
  11. News: Derek's a man for all seasons. Rutherglen Reformer. Kenny. Smith. 19 January 2011. 23 April 2011.
  12. Web site: Darren Young replaces James Ward as Albion Rovers boss . BBC Sport . 10 June 2014 . 10 June 2014.
  13. Web site: Penalty shoot-out joy for Albion Rovers at Airdrieonians in Challenge Cup . Daily Record . Paterson . Colin . 28 July 2014 . 28 July 2014 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20140728175749/http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/penalty-shoot-out-joy-albion-rovers-3924538 . 28 July 2014 .
  14. News: Clyde 2 Albion Rovers 3 – Darren Young's side come from two down to clinch title in most dramatic fashion . Sunday Herald . Herald & Times Group . 19 April 2015 . 25 October 2015.
  15. News: Darren Young's a City slicker after getting fan mail from Manchester . . 25 June 2015 . 22 June 2017 .
  16. Web site: Darren Young: Albion Rovers manager to exit Cliftonhill at end of season . BBC Sport . 28 April 2017 . 28 April 2017.
  17. Web site: Darren Young: East Fife name former Aberdeen midfielder as manager . BBC Sport . 3 June 2017 . 3 June 2017.
  18. News: East Fife sack Darren Young after Clyde defeat leaves side stranded at bottom of League One . Paul . Thomson . 21 November 2021 . 30 November 2021 . Daily Record.
  19. Web site: 20 December 2021. Stirling Albion Appoints New Manager. 20 December 2021. Stirling Albion F.C.. en-GB.
  20. News: Stirling Albion boss leaves position after Binos suffer playoff relegation . Stuart . McFarlane . Daily Record . 13 May 2024 . 13 May 2024.
  21. Web site: Darren Young named League 1 Manager of the Month . 12 November 2015 . . 11 December 2015.
  22. Web site: Albion Rovers player/manager Darren Young picks up League Two top boss prize . 11 December 2014 . BBC Sport . 11 December 2015.