The 41-year-old, who managed Redditch United during the 2016/17 campaign, enjoyed a long and distinguished career which began as an apprentice at Aston Villa and included permanent spells with Walsall, Rotherham United, Sunderland, Gillingham, Millwall, Bristol City, Doncaster Rovers, and Oldham Athletic, before finishing in non-league with local sides Tamworth and Solihull Moors.
The Sutton Coldfield-born striker, who scored 110 goals in 484 club appearances across all domestic competitions and also made six international appearances for Jamaica, is fondly remembered by Saddlers fans, mostly for his match-winning goal during the Division 2 Play-Off final victory over Reading, a feat which will live long in the memory of the supporters.
Darren, speaking via Stratford Town's official website, discussed his delight as he returns to management following a spell on the sidelines, he said; "I am delighted to join Stratford it is a beautiful stadium and excellent an set up, I’ve got a real hunger to get back into management. Watching a lot of non league games over the last 6 months has been hugely beneficial for me and I aim to bring that knowledge into my role at Stratford.
"There is a great work ethic at this club which I am very excited to join and I am really looking forward to helping the players to be the best they can be through coaching them to realise their potential. My message to all Town supporters is you will have a very hungry team giving their all for the club in what we recognise will be a tough league but we will be working hard in every game and I want to make it exciting and fun for the players and the fans and can’t wait to get started."
We would like to wish Darren all the best as he begins to prepare his side for the upcoming campaign