Darren Mansaram
Encyclopedia
Darren Timothy D. Mansaram (born 25 June 1984 in Doncaster
) is an English footballer who plays as a striker for Northern Counties East Football League Premier Division
side Armthorpe Welfare
.
He notably played as a professional for Grimsby Town
where he started his career in 2002 going on to appear for The Mariners in the second, third and fourth tier of English football before his departure in 2005. He has also spent time playing in the League of Ireland
Premier League for Sligo Rovers
, Bohemians and Dundalk
, as well as playing in England's Non-League game for Halifax Town
, York City
, Tamworth
, Worksop Town
, Gainsborough Trinity
and Droylsden
.
progressing through the youth ranks before being promoted to the first team towards the end of the 2001-2002 season, whilst Town were competing in what is now the Football League Championship
. He came into the squad with a good goal scoring record for both the reserve side and youth sides and it wasn't long before he made his break got his break within the first team. During the 2002-2003 season, Town manager Paul Groves had been dealt several blows by the loss of loanee Steve Kabba
as well as injuries to other forwards such as Michael Boulding
while Phil Jevons
was loaned out for financial reasons, this in turn saw Groves forced to select inexperienced youngsters such as Mansaram and David Soames
. Despite impressing in the final half of the season, Mansaram was powerless in helping Grimsby avoid relegation from the First Division, however by the end of the season his performances had meant he was now considered as a first team regular. During the summer months he drew interest from Sheffield Wednesday
but no concrete offer came in and the young striker nicknamed 'Flash' due to his lightning pace up front, stayed on at Blundell Park
. Paul Groves eventually lost his job in February 2004 and was replaced by Nicky Law
who in turn chopped and changed the Grimsby squad meaning signings such as Isaiah Rankin
meant that Mansaram by the end of that season had found himself only playing a cameo role within the first team. Following a second successive relegation the Grimsby board installed another new manager in Russell Slade
, and Mansaram now out of contract was kept on at the club during pre-season on a trial basis but despite being initially told he wasn't going to be offered a new deal he eventually signed on a 6 month deal. During the 2004-2005 season, he was loaned out to Conference National
side Halifax Town, and eventually moved to the club on a free transfer.
before signing a permanent deal and joining fellow Mariner Greg Young
at The Shay
at the same time. Mansaram broke into the Town team but soon his performances became more rare and he was loaned out to, York City
and later on Tamworth
before also making a brief spell with Worksop Town
.
who brought him to Ireland
where he signed for Sligo Rovers. He went on to be the clubs top scorer in the 2006 campaign.
moved to Bohemians
, he made Mansaram one of his first signings. He scored his first goals for the club when scoring twice in the League Cup win over Bray Wanderers on 17 April 2007. Mansaram left Bohemians
on 3 July 2008 having failed to play regular football in his second season at Bohs
after the arrival of Jason Byrne
and made a move back to England
.
. Mansaram was able to score three times for the club, before
Leigh's wealthy benefactors pulled the plug in late 2009. Darren briefly played for Retford United F.C.
before confirming a move back to Ireland.
at newly promoted Dundalk F.C.
. He spent one season at Oriel Park
but scored only five goals. His physical presence and ability to hold the ball quickly made him a fans favourite. Dundalk fans regularly sang his name to the tune Que Sera, Sera. However when Connor left Dundalk, Mansaram was not offered a new deal. On 4 December 2009 he joined Gainsborough Trinity
on trial.
side Droylsden, on 26 February 2010, making only a single appearance for the club before being released.
in the ninth tier of English football in the summer of 2010.
Doncaster
Doncaster is a town in South Yorkshire, England, and the principal settlement of the Metropolitan Borough of Doncaster. The town is about from Sheffield and is popularly referred to as "Donny"...
) is an English footballer who plays as a striker for Northern Counties East Football League Premier Division
Northern Counties East Football League
The Northern Counties East Football League is an English football league that was founded in 1982 by the merger of the former Yorkshire League and Midland League. The league has two divisions at present; The Premier Division and Division One which stand at the ninth and tenth levels of the football...
side Armthorpe Welfare
Armthorpe Welfare F.C.
Armthorpe Welfare F.C. are a football club based in Armthorpe, near Doncaster, South Yorkshire, England.They were established in 1926 and played in the Doncaster Senior League before joining the Northern Counties East Football League Division Two North in 1983...
.
He notably played as a professional for Grimsby Town
Grimsby Town F.C.
Grimsby Town Football Club is an English football club based in the seaside town of Cleethorpes, in North East Lincolnshire, England, who compete in the Conference National. They were formed in 1878 as Grimsby Pelham and later became Grimsby Town...
where he started his career in 2002 going on to appear for The Mariners in the second, third and fourth tier of English football before his departure in 2005. He has also spent time playing in the League of Ireland
League of Ireland
The League of Ireland is the national association football league of the Republic of Ireland. Founded in 1921, as a league of eight clubs, it has expanded over time into a two-tiered league of 22 clubs. It is currently split into the League of Ireland Premier Division and the League of Ireland...
Premier League for Sligo Rovers
Sligo Rovers F.C.
Sligo Rovers Football Club is a professional Irish football club playing in the Premier Division of the League of Ireland. The club was founded in 1928 and have been in the League of Ireland since 1934. The club is a co-operative venture, owned by the people of Sligo. Sligo Rovers have played at...
, Bohemians and Dundalk
Dundalk F.C.
Dundalk Football Club is a professional Irish football club based in Dundalk, County Louth. The club currently play in the Premier Division of the League of Ireland. Founded in 1903, they are the second most successful team, in terms of trophies won, in the history of the League of Ireland. The...
, as well as playing in England's Non-League game for Halifax Town
Halifax Town A.F.C.
Halifax Town Association Football Club were an English football team who most recently played in the Conference National, although prior to that they participated in the Football League for over eighty years...
, York City
York City F.C.
York City Football Club is an English football club based in York, North Yorkshire. The club participates in the Conference National, the fifth tier of English football. Founded in 1922, they joined the Football League in 1929, and have spent most of their history in the lower divisions...
, Tamworth
Tamworth F.C.
Tamworth Football Club are an English semi-professional football club based in the town of Tamworth, Staffordshire. Nicknamed 'The Lambs', they are currently members of the Conference National, the fifth highest tier in the English league system....
, Worksop Town
Worksop Town F.C.
Worksop Town Football Club are a semi-professional English football club from Worksop, Nottinghamshire who play in the Northern Premier League Premier Division...
, Gainsborough Trinity
Gainsborough Trinity F.C.
Gainsborough Trinity Football Club are an English football club based in Gainsborough, Lincolnshire.Between 1896 and 1912 they were members of the Football League. They are currently in the Conference North, and play their home matches at The Northolme, which has a capacity of 4,304...
and Droylsden
Droylsden F.C.
Droylsden F.C. is an English football club based in Droylsden, near Manchester. As of the 2011–12 season, they play in the Conference North.-History:...
.
Grimsby Town
Mansaram began his career at Grimsby TownGrimsby Town F.C.
Grimsby Town Football Club is an English football club based in the seaside town of Cleethorpes, in North East Lincolnshire, England, who compete in the Conference National. They were formed in 1878 as Grimsby Pelham and later became Grimsby Town...
progressing through the youth ranks before being promoted to the first team towards the end of the 2001-2002 season, whilst Town were competing in what is now the Football League Championship
Football League Championship
The Football League Championship is the highest division of The Football League and second-highest division overall in the English football league system after the Premier League...
. He came into the squad with a good goal scoring record for both the reserve side and youth sides and it wasn't long before he made his break got his break within the first team. During the 2002-2003 season, Town manager Paul Groves had been dealt several blows by the loss of loanee Steve Kabba
Steve Kabba
Sorfitu Tejan "Steve" Kabba is an English professional footballer. He is of Sierra Leonean origin. He plays as a striker for Football League Two side Barnet...
as well as injuries to other forwards such as Michael Boulding
Michael Boulding
Michael Thomas Boulding is an English professional footballer. He can play as a forward or as a winger, and had previously been a promising young tennis player, ranking among the top 20 players in Britain...
while Phil Jevons
Phil Jevons
Phillip "Phil" Jevons is an English football player who currently plays for Football League Two side Morecambe. He is notably remembered for scoring a last minute 45 yard extra time winning goal for Grimsby Town against his home town club Liverpool in the third round of the League Cup in 2001...
was loaned out for financial reasons, this in turn saw Groves forced to select inexperienced youngsters such as Mansaram and David Soames
David Soames
David Soames is an English former professional footballer who played as a forward. He played in the Football League for Grimsby Town from 2002 until 2005, but retired in 2006, aged just 21, due to a persistent injury problem that hampered most of his playing career...
. Despite impressing in the final half of the season, Mansaram was powerless in helping Grimsby avoid relegation from the First Division, however by the end of the season his performances had meant he was now considered as a first team regular. During the summer months he drew interest from Sheffield Wednesday
Sheffield Wednesday F.C.
Sheffield Wednesday Football Club are a football club based in Sheffield, South Yorkshire, England, who are currently competing in the Football League One in the 2011-12 season, in England. Sheffield Wednesday are one of the oldest professional clubs in the world and the fourth oldest in the...
but no concrete offer came in and the young striker nicknamed 'Flash' due to his lightning pace up front, stayed on at Blundell Park
Blundell Park
Blundell Park is a football ground in Cleethorpes, North East Lincolnshire, England and home to Grimsby Town Football Club. The stadium was built in 1898, but only one of the original stands remain. The current capacity of the ground is 9546, though with the introduction of all seating in the late...
. Paul Groves eventually lost his job in February 2004 and was replaced by Nicky Law
Nicky Law
Nicholas "Nicky" Law Snr is an English football manager and former player. He is the manager of Alfreton Town, and father of footballers Nicky Jr. and Josh.-Playing career:...
who in turn chopped and changed the Grimsby squad meaning signings such as Isaiah Rankin
Isaiah Rankin
Isaiah Marcus Rankin is an English professional footballer who plays as a forward for Isthmian League Premier Division side Hendon....
meant that Mansaram by the end of that season had found himself only playing a cameo role within the first team. Following a second successive relegation the Grimsby board installed another new manager in Russell Slade
Russell Slade
Russell Slade is an English football manager currently in charge of League One side Leyton Orient.-Notts County:Slade was assistant manager to Mick Walker at Notts County, and took over as caretaker manager when Walker was sacked in September 1994. When County appointed Howard Kendall as manager...
, and Mansaram now out of contract was kept on at the club during pre-season on a trial basis but despite being initially told he wasn't going to be offered a new deal he eventually signed on a 6 month deal. During the 2004-2005 season, he was loaned out to Conference National
Conference National
Conference National is the top division of the Football Conference in England. It is the highest level of the National League System and fifth highest of the overall English football league system...
side Halifax Town, and eventually moved to the club on a free transfer.
Halifax Town
Darren failed to make a break into the first team and found himself loaned out to Halifax TownHalifax Town A.F.C.
Halifax Town Association Football Club were an English football team who most recently played in the Conference National, although prior to that they participated in the Football League for over eighty years...
before signing a permanent deal and joining fellow Mariner Greg Young
Greg Young
Gregory James "Greg" Young is an English footballer who plays for Alfreton Town as a defender.Young started his career with the Sheffield Wednesday youth system and after being released in 2002 he joined Grimsby Town of the First Division...
at The Shay
The Shay
The Shay is a multi-use sports stadium in Halifax, West Yorkshire, England near Shaw Hill. FC Halifax Town and Halifax both play their home games at the Shay....
at the same time. Mansaram broke into the Town team but soon his performances became more rare and he was loaned out to, York City
York City F.C.
York City Football Club is an English football club based in York, North Yorkshire. The club participates in the Conference National, the fifth tier of English football. Founded in 1922, they joined the Football League in 1929, and have spent most of their history in the lower divisions...
and later on Tamworth
Tamworth F.C.
Tamworth Football Club are an English semi-professional football club based in the town of Tamworth, Staffordshire. Nicknamed 'The Lambs', they are currently members of the Conference National, the fifth highest tier in the English league system....
before also making a brief spell with Worksop Town
Worksop Town F.C.
Worksop Town Football Club are a semi-professional English football club from Worksop, Nottinghamshire who play in the Northern Premier League Premier Division...
.
Sligo Rovers
Mansaram was then convinced by Sean ConnorSean Connor
Sean Connor is a former footballer and manager currently without a club.-Playing career:Connor began his career at Distillery in the Irish League where he played for one full season before moving to Port Vale...
who brought him to Ireland
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
where he signed for Sligo Rovers. He went on to be the clubs top scorer in the 2006 campaign.
Bohemians
When ConnorSean Connor
Sean Connor is a former footballer and manager currently without a club.-Playing career:Connor began his career at Distillery in the Irish League where he played for one full season before moving to Port Vale...
moved to Bohemians
Bohemian F.C.
Bohemian F.C. , more commonly referred to as Bohemians, is a professional football club from Dublin, Ireland. Bohemians compete in the Premier Division of the League of Ireland and are the third most successful club in League of Ireland football history, having won the League of Ireland title 11...
, he made Mansaram one of his first signings. He scored his first goals for the club when scoring twice in the League Cup win over Bray Wanderers on 17 April 2007. Mansaram left Bohemians
Bohemian F.C.
Bohemian F.C. , more commonly referred to as Bohemians, is a professional football club from Dublin, Ireland. Bohemians compete in the Premier Division of the League of Ireland and are the third most successful club in League of Ireland football history, having won the League of Ireland title 11...
on 3 July 2008 having failed to play regular football in his second season at Bohs
Bohemian F.C.
Bohemian F.C. , more commonly referred to as Bohemians, is a professional football club from Dublin, Ireland. Bohemians compete in the Premier Division of the League of Ireland and are the third most successful club in League of Ireland football history, having won the League of Ireland title 11...
after the arrival of Jason Byrne
Jason Byrne (footballer)
Jason Byrne is an Irish football player, currently playing for Dundalk in the League of Ireland.-Bray Wanderers:...
and made a move back to England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
.
Leigh Genesis
Darren's next port of call was to sign for non league club Leigh Genesis, who had formed out of the old Conference club Leigh RMILeigh RMI F.C.
Leigh Genesis Football Club, formerly known as Horwich Railway Mechanics Institute F.C. and Leigh Railway Mechanics Institute F.C. , was an English semi-professional association football team that folded after relegation from the Northern Premier League in 2011...
. Mansaram was able to score three times for the club, before
Leigh's wealthy benefactors pulled the plug in late 2009. Darren briefly played for Retford United F.C.
Retford United F.C.
Retford United Football Club are an English football club based at Cannon Park in Retford, Nottinghamshire. They currently play in the Northern Counties East League Premier Division.-History:...
before confirming a move back to Ireland.
Dundalk
In January 2009 Mansaram joined up with former manager Sean ConnorSean Connor
Sean Connor is a former footballer and manager currently without a club.-Playing career:Connor began his career at Distillery in the Irish League where he played for one full season before moving to Port Vale...
at newly promoted Dundalk F.C.
Dundalk F.C.
Dundalk Football Club is a professional Irish football club based in Dundalk, County Louth. The club currently play in the Premier Division of the League of Ireland. Founded in 1903, they are the second most successful team, in terms of trophies won, in the history of the League of Ireland. The...
. He spent one season at Oriel Park
Oriel Park
Oriel Park is a multi-purpose stadium in Dundalk, County Louth, Republic of Ireland. It is used mostly for football matches and is the home stadium of Dundalk F.C. Its current capacity is about 4,500 with 3,000 seats. The ground was opened in 1919.-History:...
but scored only five goals. His physical presence and ability to hold the ball quickly made him a fans favourite. Dundalk fans regularly sang his name to the tune Que Sera, Sera. However when Connor left Dundalk, Mansaram was not offered a new deal. On 4 December 2009 he joined Gainsborough Trinity
Gainsborough Trinity F.C.
Gainsborough Trinity Football Club are an English football club based in Gainsborough, Lincolnshire.Between 1896 and 1912 they were members of the Football League. They are currently in the Conference North, and play their home matches at The Northolme, which has a capacity of 4,304...
on trial.
Gainsborough Trinity
Mansaram completed his move to Trinity on the 10th of December 2009 on a non contract basis. After four games for The Blues, Mansaram was released on 12 February 2010.Droylsden
Mansaram Signed for fellow Conference NorthConference North
The Conference North also known as Blue Square Bet North for sponsorship reasons, is a division of the Football Conference in England, taking its place immediately below the Conference National. Along with Conference South it is at Step 2 of the National League System and the sixth overall tier of...
side Droylsden, on 26 February 2010, making only a single appearance for the club before being released.
Armthorpe Welfare
Mansaram signed for Armthorpe WelfareArmthorpe Welfare F.C.
Armthorpe Welfare F.C. are a football club based in Armthorpe, near Doncaster, South Yorkshire, England.They were established in 1926 and played in the Doncaster Senior League before joining the Northern Counties East Football League Division Two North in 1983...
in the ninth tier of English football in the summer of 2010.
External links
- Darren Mansaram profile at thefishy.co.uk