Introduction
Darryl James Knights (born 1 May 1988) is an English footballer who plays for National League North side AFC Telford United, where he plays as a striker.
Playing career
Ipswich Town
Born in Ipswich, Knights was a product of the youth system at Ipswich Town and played for England at youth and Under-17 level. He made his debut for the club as a 16-year-old in November 2004 but did not play for the first team again.
Yeovil Town (loan)
After impressing Yeovil Town manager Russell Slade in training, Knights joined the League One side on loan in February 2007 for the remainder of the 2006–07 season. He made five substitute appearances for Yeovil, including one in the League One play-off final against Blackpool in May 2007.
Yeovil Town
Knights then joined the club on a one-year contract in July 2007 after being given a free transfer by Ipswich at the end of the season.
Cambridge United (loan)
Knights was unable to establish himself in the first team at Yeovil and joined Cambridge United on loan in October 2007. He returned to Yeovil in December 2007
Kidderminster Harriers (loan)
Darryl then joined Kidderminster Harriers on loan the following month for the rest of the 2007–08 season.
Kidderminster Harriers
After a successful loan spell at Kidderminster in which he scored four goals, he joined the club on a permanent basis in the summer of 2008.
Newport County
In July 2010, Knights signed for Newport County. He subsequently scored the equaliser in the Welsh derby match between Newport and Wrexham in September 2010.
On 12 May 2012, Knights played for Newport County in the FA Trophy Final at Wembley Stadium which Newport lost 2–0 to York City, coming on as a second-half substitute. Knights was released by Newport the following week at the end of his contract.
Solihull Moors
Knights joined Conference North side Solihull Moors on 1 August 2012 following his release from Newport County.
Kidderminster Harriers
On 6 December 2016, Knights rejoined Kidderminster Harriers after leaving Solihull Moors.
Darryl remained at the club until the end of the season, making 15 appearances and scoring one goal, before being released.
Tamworth
Darryl Knights became the first signing of the 2017–18 season for National League North side Tamworth when he joined on 17 May 2017.
Career statistics
- As of match played 2 March 2018.
| Club | Season | League | FA Cup | League Cup | Other | Total | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
| Ipswich Town | 2004–05 | Championship | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| 2005–06 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||
| 2005–06 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||
| Total | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | ||
| Yeovil Town (loan) | 2006–07 | League One | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 5 | 0 |
| Total | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 5 | 0 | ||
| Yeovil Town | 2007–08 | League One | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 0 |
| Total | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 0 | ||
| Cambridge United (loan) | 2007–08 | Conference National | 4 | 0 | 2 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | 6 | 0 | |
| Total | 4 | 0 | 2 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | 6 | 0 | |||
| Kidderminster Harriers (loan) | 2007–08 | Conference National | 18 | 4 | 0 | 0 | — | 1 | 0 | 19 | 4 | |
| Total | 18 | 4 | 0 | 0 | — | 1 | 0 | 19 | 4 | |||
| Kidderminster Harriers | 2008–09 | Conference National | 36 | 1 | 2 | 0 | — | 1 | 0 | 39 | 1 | |
| 2009–10 | 40 | 4 | 0 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | 40 | 4 | |||
| Total | 76 | 5 | 2 | 0 | — | 1 | 0 | 79 | 5 | |||
| Newport County | 2010–11 | Conference National | 41 | 7 | 1 | 0 | — | 3 | 0 | 45 | 7 | |
| 2011–12 | 23 | 1 | 2 | 0 | — | 7 | 2 | 32 | 3 | |||
| Total | 64 | 8 | 3 | 0 | — | 10 | 2 | 77 | 10 | |||
| Solihull Moors | 2012–13 | Conference North | 37 | 4 | 0 | 0 | — | 2 | 0 | 39 | 4 | |
| 2013–14 | 33 | 3 | 0 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | 33 | 3 | |||
| 2014–15 | 39 | 12 | 0 | 0 | — | 1 | 0 | 40 | 12 | |||
| 2015–16 | National League North | 37 | 11 | 0 | 0 | — | 1 | 0 | 38 | 11 | ||
| 2016–17 | National League | 20 | 0 | 3 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | 23 | 0 | ||
| Total | 166 | 30 | 3 | 0 | — | 4 | 0 | 173 | 30 | |||
| Kidderminster Harriers | 2016–17 | National League North | 15 | 1 | 0 | 0 | — | 3 | 0 | 18 | 1 | |
| Total | 15 | 1 | 0 | 0 | — | 3 | 0 | 18 | 1 | |||
| Tamworth | 2017–18 | National League North | 30 | 10 | 0 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | 30 | 10 | |
| Total | 30 | 10 | 0 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | 30 | 10 | |||
| Career total | 381 | 58 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 21 | 2 | 412 | 60 | ||
Honours
- Ipswich Town
- FA Youth Cup: 2004–05
- Solihull Moors
- Birmingham Senior Cup: 2015–16