4. Darius Charles
born ealing, london | 10/12/1987
previous clubs brentford, ebbsfleet united
joined may 2010
contract details 10/08/2011-30/06/2013
debut stockport | h | 21/08/2010 | won 3-1
Darius Charles signed for Stevenage in May 2010 after leaving Ebbsfleet United at the end of his contract. Born in Ealing, Charles began his career as a left winger at local club Brentford, managing to break through to the first team and go on to make 37 appearances for the The Bees. After making his debut as a midfielder against Hull City, Charles was moved to the back where he excelled.
During his time with Brentford, Charles joined various non-league clubs on loan in order to gain first team experience. In 2006 he signed for Thurrock, but his time there was short-lived and he only made the 1 appearance before returning to Griffin Park. Later that season he joined Yeading United, this time making 5 appearances.
It was the 2006/2007 season where Charles really made the breakthrough at Brentford. He made 14 appearances in the league before again going out on loan. He made the move to Crawley and made 6 appearances before returning to Brentford to finish the season. He signed a new two year contract that summer after impressing at the back.
The following season though saw Charles start again on loan. He joined Sutton United and made 7 appearances for the side from South London before returning to Brentford. His next temporary switch was to Ebbsfleet United and this is where Charles’ career really began to take off. After impressing initially in another loan deal, Ebbsfleet made the move permanent in the January window of 2009. The myfc members voted to spend £25,000 on the young defender.
Charles had a good first full season at the Kent club making 40 appearances and winning the club’s player of the season. Interest in the defender intensified and both Stevenage and York had bids rejected. Eventually York’s £80,000 bid that included Michael Gash was accepted, but Charles declined the move due to not wanting to re-locate. Charles became the Ebbsfleet captain in the 2009/2010 season as the club battled relegation, a battle they eventually lost. He joined Stevenage on a two year contract.
