Draft:Lee Darnbrough
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Last edited by NONONSENSEDEFENDING (talk | contribs) 2 months ago. (Update) |
Lee Darnbrough | |
|---|---|
| Born | 15 September 1977 Ashton-under-Lyne, England |
| Nationality | English |
| Education | University of Leeds |
| Occupation | Association football scout |
| Head of Recruitment – Port Vale | |
| Assumed office 5 June 2025 | |
Lee Darnbrough (born 15 September 1977) is an English association football scout and recruitment officer, who is the Head of Recruitment at EFL League One club Port Vale.[1]
Career
[edit]Early career
[edit]Darnbrough was born in Ashton-under-Lyne, but was brought up in Mossley. Prior to his scouting career, he was on track to become a professional footballer, playing as a goalkeeper. He came through the National School of Excellence in Lilleshall, ran by the FA, and was amongst an age group that included Jamie Carragher. However, his chances of succeeding were soon cut short when he broke his wrist aged 19. After recovery, he was unable to return to form and swiftly retired.[2][3]
However, Darnbrough would continue playing at a non-league level, with Garforth Town, whilst studying sports science at the University of Leeds. Upon graduating, he joined player performance analysis group ProZone in 2000. Initially working with Bolton Wanderers and later Aston Villa, he eventually signed a deal with West Bromwich Albion in 2004 to become their Head of Performance Analysis. In 2009, he was promoted to become West Brom's Head of Technical Recruitment. During his time with the Baggies, he most notably worked alongside Dan Ashworth.[2][4]
Later career
[edit]Darnbrough was appointed as the new Head of Recruitment at Burnley on 16 November 2012.[5] On 29 May 2015, he parted ways with the club after their relegation from the Premier League.[6] On 7 July 2015, Darnbrough joined Norwich City as their Head of Scouting.[7] On 13 April 2017, it was announced that he had left the club.[8]
Following their relegation to the Championship at the end of the 2016–17 season, Hull City appointed Darnbrough as their new Head of Recruitment.[9] Across seven years in the East Riding of Yorkshire, he worked with five separate managers; Leonid Slutsky, Nigel Adkins, Grant McCann, Shota Arveladze, and finally Liam Rosenior.[10] On 3 June 2024, Darnbrough replaced the outgoing Jared Dublin as Head of Recruitment at Stoke City.[11][12] Coincidentally, Dublin then took Darnbrough's old position at Hull two months later.[13] After less than a year with the Potters, the club parted ways with Darnbrough on 13 February 2025.[14][15] On 5 June 2025, Darnbrough joined newly promoted League One side Port Vale under Darren Moore, despite the club's rivalry with previous employers Stoke.[1]
Personal life
[edit]Darnbrough is an Oldham Athletic supporter, and has been since he was a child.[3]
References
[edit]- ^ a b "Former Stoke City head of recruitment joins Port Vale". -Stoke Sentinel. 5 June 2025. Retrieved 14 June 2025.
- ^ a b "Career switch a hit for Lee". Oldham Chronicle. 10 February 2009. Retrieved 15 June 2025.
- ^ a b "Who is new man in charge of Hull City's recruitment for 2017-18?". Hull Daily Mail. 23 June 2017. Retrieved 14 June 2025.
- ^ "Lee Darnbrough". ex-canaries.co.uk. Retrieved 15 June 2025.
- ^ "Burnley appoint new Head of Recruitment". Burnley Express. 16 November 2012. Retrieved 15 June 2025.
- ^ "Darnbrough leaves Burnley ahead of McParland arrival". Lancashire Telegraph. 29 May 2015. Retrieved 15 June 2025.
- ^ "Lee Darnbrough joins as Head of Scouting". Norwich City F.C. 7 July 2015. Retrieved 15 June 2025.
- ^ "Norwich City: Alan Irvine disappointed by Ricky Martin departure". BBC Sport. 13 April 2013. Retrieved 15 June 2025.
- ^ "Lee Darnbrough joins Hull City as head of recruitment". Hull Daily Mail. 20 June 2017. Retrieved 14 June 2025.
- ^ "Head of Recruitment Lee Darnbrough to depart". Hull City A.F.C. 3 June 2024. Retrieved 15 June 2025.
- ^ "Darnbrough appointed Potters' Head of Recruitment". Stoke City A.F.C. 3 June 2024. Retrieved 14 June 2025.
- ^ "Stoke City appoint Lee Darnbrough as new Head of Recruitment". BBC Sport. 3 June 2024. Retrieved 14 June 2025.
- ^ "Jared Dublin appointed Head of Recruitment". Hull City A.F.C. 14 August 2024. Retrieved 14 June 2025.
- ^ "Lee Darnbrough to depart Potters' role". Stoke City A.F.C. 13 February 2025. Retrieved 14 June 2025.
- ^ "Head of recruitment Darnbrough departs Stoke". BBC Sport. 13 February 2025. Retrieved 14 June 2025.
- 1977 births
- Living people
- People from Ashton-under-Lyne
- People from Mossley
- Alumni of the University of Leeds
- Men's association football goalkeepers
- Association football technical directors
- Aston Villa F.C. non-playing staff
- Bolton Wanderers F.C. non-playing staff
- Burnley F.C. non-playing staff
- Hull City A.F.C. non-playing staff
- Norwich City F.C. non-playing staff
- Port Vale F.C. non-playing staff
- Stoke City F.C. non-playing staff
- West Bromwich Albion F.C. non-playing staff