Over the course of his 16-year career, striker Darren Huckerby played for a number of clubs, but Norwich City received far more value than they paid when they signed the quick forward from Manchester City in 2003.
Huckerby started his professional career in 1993 with Lincoln City, a lower division team. Keith Alexander, the manager of the Imps, immediately gave the young player his debut.
After he made an immediate impression on top flight with his direct running, quickness, and goal threat, Newcastle United took a chance in 1995 and brought the young player to St James’ Park.
The forward, who was born in Nottingham, never really made an impression on Tyneside, though, and after spending a short time on loan at Millwall, he joined Gordon Strachan’s Coventry City ahead of their premier league season in 1996–97.
Huckerby flourished with the Sky Blues, where he played alongside players such as Dion Dublin, Noel Whelan, and Gary McAllister. The City team performed well in the Premier League and frequently upset the larger teams at their Highfield Road stadium.
Huckerby scored 30 goals in just over 100 games during his three years with the Midlands club. His explosive pace and ability to run with the ball caused continual headaches for opponents. In 1999, Huckerby was moved to Leeds United for a sum that increased to almost £5.5 million.
But the forward struggled to make an impression at Elland Road, losing out on players like Mark Viduka and Alan Smith before leaving for Manchester City after spending eighteen months in West Yorkshire.
At Maine Road, Huckerby was quite prolific. In his first season with the team, City was demoted from the Premier League; however, he helped them win the Championship the following year. The striker scored 31 goals in 82 games overall for City before to enjoying successful loan stints in 2003 with Norwich City and Nottingham Forest, respectively.
Huckerby had a particularly happy experience at the Canaries at the start of the 2003–04 second-tier season, as the Norfolk club signed him permanently when his three-month loan period ended.
The Canaries’ modest fee proved to be a huge commercial success.
The 27-year-old was reportedly offered a total of £1 million by Norwich to go permanently to Carrow Road in December 2003.
In his first season with the Club, Huckerby won the PFA Fans Player of the Year title for the First Division (now the Championship) and helped his colleagues get promoted to the Premier League.
Despite his Norwich team’s inconsistent performance in the top two divisions during his tenure, Huckerby was a great standout in a yellow and green shirt.
The explosive attacker made almost 200 games, scoring 48 goals and providing 26 assists to teammates throughout that period.
As a result of his achievements, Huckerby was named the club’s Player of the Year in 2004–05 and 2006–07, and in 2006, he was admitted into the Hall of Fame.
After spending five years with Norwich, Huckerby, then thirty-two, left for the United States to play for the San Jose Earthquakes of Major League Soccer in 2008–09.
The attacker performed admirably during his one season in California, but continued physical problems caused him to retire at the comparatively young age of 33.
One of Norwich’s best acquisitions of the century is the striker.
For the most part of this century, the Canaries have played in the Premier League or at the top of the second division.
As a result, various noteworthy athletes and excellent servants have worn the renowned yellow and green over that period of time.
Huckerby’s overall impact was different from that of many who have made significant contributions, such as Grant Holt and Gary Doherty, and others who have made the club a tidy profit. Ben Godfrey, a defender, joined from York City in 2016 for £150k and left for Everton for over £20 million four years later.
Huckerby is a modern Norwich legend who helped his team win promotion, developed into their primary goal threat, and served as a fantastic club spokesman for the relatively tiny amount that City paid for the striker. Since retiring, he has even coached the younger teams.
Nigel Worthington pulled off a great business move at the time, and Huckerby is still a big favourite in Norfolk. He became a legendary player at the club and was a true steal for the £1 million Norwich paid Man City in 2003.
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