Darren Eadie


Darren Malcolm Eadie is an English former professional footballer, who made his name as a pacy left-sided midfielder with Norwich City. He later played for Leicester City. He is currently joint manager of Leiston.

Early life

Born in Chippenham, Eadie attended the Corsham School in Wiltshire.

Club career

Norwich City

Eadie was a product of Norwich City's youth system and made his debut in a UEFA Cup match against Vitesse Arnhem in September 1993. By the time they were relegated at the end of the following season, he was Norwich's regular left winger. Even though he was unable to inspire Norwich to a return to the Premier League, his form for the club was such that his name was being linked with a number of Premier League clubs by 1997, although he would ultimately remain at Carrow Road for some three years more.
He missed the start of the 1999–2000 season through a knee injury, and in December 1999, as a result of Norwich's financial problems and risk or relegation, he was sold to Leicester City F.C. for almost £3 million, finally giving him the chance to establish himself as a Premier League player.

Leicester City

He was to only play a total 40 matches for Leicester, this number being cut short due to repeated knee injuries, and he retired in the summer of 2003, aged 28. He was cup-tied for their victory in the 2000 Football League Cup Final.

International career

Between 1994 and 1997, Eadie made seven appearances for the England U21 team, scoring two goals.
In the summer of 1997, Eadie was called up to the England squad for the Tournoi de France.

Retirement

In 2002, he was voted an inaugural member of the Norwich City Hall of Fame, which was established to celebrate the club's centenary. In an interview for the Norwich City matchday programme on 13 August 2005, Eadie stated that he had found retirement difficult, particularly as many of his friends were still playing professional football. It was reported in July 2012 that he had fought severe depression and suffered panic attacks.
In March 2020 Eadie was appointed joint manager of Leiston alongside Chris Wigger.

Honours

Individual