Darren Bastow
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Date of birth | 22 December 1981 | ||
| Place of birth | Torquay, England | ||
| Playing position | Midfielder | ||
| Club information | |||
Current team | Moretonhampstead | ||
| Youth career | |||
| – | Torre Trojans | ||
| 1998 | Plymouth Argyle | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps† | (Gls)† |
| 1998–2001 | Plymouth Argyle | 42 | (3) |
| 2001–2014 | Upton Athletic | ||
| 2014– | Moretonhampstead | ||
|
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only. | |||
Darren Bastow (born 22 December 1981 in Torquay) is an English former professional footballer who played in the Football League as a midfielder for Plymouth Argyle.[1] He currently plays for South Devon League club Moretonhampstead.
Career
Bastow began his career as an apprentice at Plymouth Argyle, joining the Home Park side in July 1998 after leaving Torquay Community College.[2] He had been spotted by Argyle youth development officer John James while playing for Torre Trojans. He became the youngest ever goalscorer for Plymouth when he scored on his league debut, after coming on as substitute in the 3–0 home victory against Brentford in November 1998.[3] After a further nine first-team appearances while still a trainee, and favourable press coverage,[4] he signed a professional contract on his 17th birthday. His form soon attracted the attention of higher division sides, and in November 1999 he joined Premier League Derby County on trial, playing a reserve match against Coventry City.[3] At the end of his trial he returned to Home Park, but was left out of the squad in early 2000 for disciplinary reasons.[5] The player had problems off the field and walked out on the club,[2][6] although Argyle retained his registration and refused to let him play even for South Devon League side Upton Athletic.[7]
In October 2000 he briefly returned to Plymouth Argyle and resumed training, but later walked out again.[8] He eventually returned to playing football, joining Upton Athletic on non-contract terms in August 2001. He agreed to join Torquay United on trial in October 2001,[9] but nothing came of it, and he continued to play for Upton Athletic alongside other members of his family, including former Torquay player Ian Bastow,[10] until 2014 when he joined Moretonhampstead.
References
- ↑ "Darren Bastow". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 18 November 2009.
- 1 2 "Argyle midfielder admits threatening Torquay schoolteacher" (reprint). Western Morning News (NewsBank). 18 May 2000. Retrieved 18 November 2009.
- 1 2 Errington, Chris (16 November 1999). "Bastow: The End?" (reprint). Western Morning News (NewsBank). Retrieved 18 November 2009.
- ↑ Lake, Alan (20 December 1998). "Football: Child's play for Darren" (reprint). Sunday Mirror (FindArticles). Retrieved 18 November 2009.
He had an outstanding first half in a young Plymouth side – six of the starting eleven were 21 or under – and he looks a great prospect.
- ↑ "Bastow Axe Explained" (reprint). Western Morning News (NewsBank). 4 January 2000. Retrieved 18 November 2009.
- ↑ "Crown Court trial for Argyle footballer" (reprint). Western Morning News (NewsBank). 11 March 2000. Retrieved 18 November 2009.
- ↑ "Bastow stays on Argyle's books despite approach" (reprint). Western Morning News (NewsBank). 15 July 2000. Retrieved 18 November 2009.
- ↑ "Chairman¹s attempt to lure Bastow back to Home Park" (reprint). Western Morning News (NewsBank). 7 April 2001. Retrieved 18 November 2009.
- ↑ James, Stuart (11 October 2001). "Russell Blow For Gulls". Sky Sports. Retrieved 18 November 2009.
- ↑ "Bastow inspires Upton to grasp Brixham's top spot". Herald Express (Torquay). 19 October 2009. Retrieved 18 November 2009.