Where are they now: Darren Purse
He was a veteran when he joined the Valiants for the 2012-13 season but remarkably the centre-half is STILL playing…
Pre-Vale career
The six foot two inches tall central defender started his career at Leyton Orient but rose to fame through spells at Birmingham City, Cardiff City and Sheffield Wednesday. By 2012 he was playing for Plymouth Argyle but was “reluctantly” transfer-listed as the club tried to bring in funds.
His Vale spell
Purse joined Vale on the 5th January 2013 – ironically during a game the Valiants were playing against Purse’s former club Plymouth Argyle. Alongside fellow veteran Lee Hughes he managed to help Micky Adams’ team over the finishing line as they finished in third place and won automatic promotion. In total he made 17 appearances, scoring twice before being released in the summer.
Post Vale
After leaving Vale, he had a somewhat nomadic career which involved spells in Norway, in non-league for the likes of Chesham Utd, Hayes and Yeading and Bishop’s Stortford. He joined Enfield Town in 2017 where he was appointed assistant manager and also issued with a player’s contract. This season, at the grand old age of 40, he has made 17 appearances.