New Dagenham & Redbridge signing Darren Currie admitted that the lure of working with manager John Still was the deciding factor in his loan move to Victoria Road.

by MIKE SIMMONDS

NEW Dagenham & Redbridge signing Darren Currie admitted that the lure of working with manager John Still was the deciding factor in his loan move to Victoria Road.

After beginning his career as a trainee with West Ham, Currie was signed by Still, who was then managing Barnet, from Shrewsbury Town in July 1998, and the winger, currently on loan from Chesterfield, jumped at the chance to link up once more. Football

"I was with him about 10-11 years ago at Barnet and really enjoyed playing football for him there," he said.

Friends

"We remained friends since then and have always kept in touch.

"He has the knack of making players want to play for him, which is why he has produced so many who have gone on to greater things.

"He has always had his team playing effective football too and that doesn't change.

"Teams don't like playing against it, but as players, you enjoy playing for him and you know that you are going to get goals."

Currie has initially joined Daggers for a month, but that should turn into a long-term permanent deal once the transfer window opens once again in January.

"I'm here for a month, but now I've got my foot in the door and am here, there shouldn't be any problem and I should be a fully-fledged Dagger," said the winger, who Still revealed last week had taken a wage cut to join the club.

"People have mentioned money, but that has never been the case with me.

"If I wanted silly money, then I wouldn't be at Daggers.

"John has been very open with me the whole time and throughout my career it has always been about a footballing decision and then talk about the financial situation afterwards."

This season, Currie has made just two league starts at Saltergate under new Spireites manager John Sheridan, and seven appearances in total.

He was used just as sparingly last season when Lee Richardson was at the helm, beginning only 14 games in League Two, which he admits was a chastening experience.

Frustrating

"Last season was probably the most frustrating of my football career," rued Currie, who has more than 500 league appearances to his name.

"I have to say that I failed and it's the first club I've been at where that has ever happened before.

"It's a long story of what went on at Chesterfield, but I just love playing football and got sick of sitting on my bum at 3pm every Saturday.

"I want to come here and I know that I'm not going to play every game, but when I do I want to be out there giving my best.

"People have always said I have never had any pace, so that isn't a factor. I always pride myself on not giving the ball away, getting it down and crossing it into the box.

"Honesty in football is the most important thing and that's what I get with John (Still) and also John Sheridan at Chesterfield to be fair.

"He has been open with me and I appreciate that, he's kept me in the picture this season.

"There have been times when I thought I could have played more, but as a footballer honesty is what you want."

Currie has also been brought to the club by Still to help educate the likes of young talent Danny Green, who is in his first full season in the Football League after signing from Bishop's Stortford in the summer.

Longer

"Although I've turned 35, I still feel like I've a lot to give in the game as can carry on for quite a while longer," he said.

"You want to help pass on your experienced to players too. Danny Green is an excellent prospect already and if I can help him in any way, I will try to do that."

Daggers travel to Grimsby this weekend and from what he has seen from the sidelines and on the pitch, Currie believes the Victoria Road side can challenge for promotion this season.

"We definitely have a chance of going up," he said.

"We were unlucky not to win against both Rochdale and Bournemouth and we can take a lot of confidence on how we played in those games.

"The top seven or eight are strong in this league. Chesterfield are playing some lovely stuff, while Rochdale play some good football, but the way we play is effective.

"The aim is definitely to get maximum points from Grimsby on Saturday."

If you would like to comment on this story, email: mike.simmonds@archant.co.uk

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