Darren Freeman

Darren Barry Andduet Freeman (born 22 August 1973) is an English football manager, currently in charge at Lewes. He is a former professional player who played as a winger and striker, making over 130 appearances in the Football League between 1995 and 2001.

Playing career

Born in Brighton, Freeman played in the Football League with Gillingham, Fulham, Brentford and Brighton & Hove Albion, making a total of 134 appearances. He retired from professional football in August 2001 due to injury.

He returned to non-league football in June 2002 with Margate. Freeman also played for Lewes, Horsham, Worthing, Glenavon, Three Bridges and Whitehawk. Glenavon attempted to sign Freeman on a permanent basis following a loan spell in which he was described as taking the Irish League "by storm." Freeman was a player-coach at Three Bridges.

Coaching career

He was appointed sole manager of Whitehawk in May 2010, having previously been joint-manager of the club alongside George Parris since May 2009. Despite taking the club from the Sussex County League to the Conference South League with three promotions in four years, he was sacked by Whitehawk in January 2014. Freeman was appointed manager of Ryman League Division 1 South side Peacehaven & Telscombe in August 2015 but left after just two months to take up the manager's position at nearby Lewes On 2 April 2016, Lewes were relegated from the Isthmian Premier League to the Isthmian Division One South with three games of the season to go.

Personal life

Freeman has two sons, called Leighton and Stacey, with his partner Lorraine. His father, called Reg, died in August 2009, and was cited as an inspiration to Freeman's career.