A skilful midfielder with a good range of passing, Darren was one of the 2004 youth team that reached the Fifth Round of the FA Youth Cup for the first time in the club's history and won the Youth Alliance Merit Division One in 2004.

'Quints' made his first team debut in the last game of the 2003/04 season and established himself in the first team squad the following year, earning a pro contract in February 2005.

He began 2005/06 as a first team regular but injuries interrupted the second half of the season, and although 2006/07 was frustrating for him he made another seven appearances and celebrated his 21st birthday with a 'Man of the Match' performance in the final game of the season.

Quints signed a new one-year deal in May 2007 and made 12 starts in the early months of the season, but a cruciate ligament injury in October '07 ruled him out for the rest of the season. He returned for pre-season training on a short-term deal, and after proving his fitness he signed a new one-year deal on the eve of the new season.