Darren Hare (born 2 April 1967)[1] is an English former footballer turned coach, who most recently worked as the first team coach at Dover Athletic.
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Date of birth | (1967-04-02) 2 April 1967 (age 55) | ||
| Place of birth | Canterbury, England | ||
| Position(s) | Striker | ||
| Youth career | |||
| 1982–1983 | Dover | ||
| 1982–1983 | Gillingham | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 1983–1984 | Dover Athletic | ||
| 1984 | Gravesend & Northfleet | ||
| 1984–1986 | Dover Athletic | ||
| 1986 | Ashford Town | 5 | (3) |
| 1986 | Thanet United | 3 | (0) |
| 1986–1988 | Ashford Town | 60 | (30) |
| 1988 | Canterbury City | 8 | (3) |
| 1988–1989 | Dover Athletic | ||
| 1989–? | Hastings Town | ||
| c.1994 | Canterbury City | ||
| 1996–? | Folkestone Invicta | ||
| 1997–1998 | Canterbury City | ||
| 2005 | Herne Bay | ||
| 2005 | Sittingbourne | ||
| 2005–? | Herne Bay | ||
| Teams managed | |||
| ? | Canterbury City | ||
| 1996 | Folkestone Invicta | ||
| 2004 | Gillingham (caretaker) | ||
| 2014 | Gillingham (co-caretaker) | ||
| 2016–2017 | Hastings United | ||
| *Club domestic league appearances and goals | |||
Born in Canterbury, he began his career playing for the youth teams of Dover and Gillingham and went on to play for a number of Kent-based non-league teams, including Ashford Town (where he was club leading scorer for two seasons),[2] Thanet United,[1] Canterbury City, Herne Bay and Sittingbourne. He also managed Canterbury and Folkestone Invicta, and worked as Youth Development Officer for the Kent County Football Association.[1][3]
Hare later became Head of Youth Development for Gillingham.[1] In December 2004 he served as acting manager after the resignation of both Andy Hessenthaler and caretaker manager John Gorman.[4] The following year he left Priestfield Stadium to become Head of Education and Welfare in the academy system at Crystal Palace,[5][6] and made a brief playing comeback at the age of 38.[7]
In 2007, he joined Dover Athletic as assistant to Hessenthaler, the club's new manager, who is also his brother-in-law.[3][5] When Hessenthaler began his second period as manager at Gillingham in May 2010, Hare also returned to Priestfield, as youth team manager.[8]
Hare was appointed as manager of Hastings United of the Isthmian League South Division in May 2016.[9] He led the side to the play-offs during his one season in charge, but Hasings were defeated by Dorking Wanderers in the semi-finals on penalties following a 1–1 draw.[10] He resigned from the role in May 2017, citing a desire to concentrate on his family and business interests.[11]
In October 2018 he rejoined Dover and Andy Hessenthaler, taking on the position of joint first team coach.[12] In November 2020, Hare resigned from his position due to personal reasons.[13]
Hare is married to Alison, a nurse, and has three children, Josh, Chloe and James. Josh is a footballer who as of 2022 plays professionally for Dagenham & Redbridge.[14][15]
Gillingham F.C. – managers | |
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