Darren Anderton

Darren Anderton (born March 3, 1972 in Southampton) is an English association football (soccer) player, who currently plays in the English FA Premier League for Birmingham City F.C..

Renowned as a brilliant midfield player, of huge potential, Anderton's career has been constantly frustrated by injury earning him the nickname "Sicknote". He began his career at Portsmouth F.C., earning praise for his performaces for Jim Smith's attacking side of the early 90s. His performances soon drew the attention of bigger clubs and the winger joined Tottenham Hotspur F.C. for £1.75million in 1992.

Two years later Terry Venables gave Anderton his England debut against Denmark in 1994. Anderton soon became a regular in the national side playing a huge part in the Euro 1996 team that reached the semi-finals.

Injuries and the challenge of the emerging David Beckham then limited Anderton's international appearances. He was recalled for Glenn Hoddle's squad for the 1998 World Cup in France, but again injuries meant he couldn't claim a regular place in the side.

After being sidelined during Euro 2000, an extended run of fitness saw Anderton vying for a permanent place in the national team again. He played in England's 1–1 draw away to France in September 2000 and also featured against Italy the following November.

His form during the early part of the 2001/02 season earned his first call-up to Sven-Göran Eriksson's England squad for a friendly against Sweden in November. However, that game spelt the end of the player's international career, as Eriksson failed to select him again.

Meanwhile, he continued to struggle badly with injuries, missing more games than he played for his club. That led to his release at the end of his contract in the summer of 2004, after 364 games for Spurs, scoring 51 goals.

Birmingham swooped to sign him on a free transfer for the 2004/05 season.