Darren Joseph Norman Oldaker (born 4 January 1999) is an English professional footballer who plays as a defensive midfielder for club Southend United.
Career Oldaker began his career in the Queens Park Rangers youth team, but was ready to quit the game when Dennis Wise recommended him to Gillingham. He had a trial at the club and was soon signed onto scholarship forms. He signed professional forms in May 2016. He made his League One debut on 20 August 2016, coming on as a 75th-minute substitute for Emmanuel Osadebe in a 5–0 defeat to Scunthorpe United at Glanford Park. He scored on his first start for the "Gills" ten days later, in a 2–1 defeat to Luton Town in an EFL Trophy match at Priestfield Stadium.
In February 2017 he signed on loan for Isthmian League South Division team Hythe Town, making his debut for the side in a 2–1 victory over Herne Bay on 6 February 2017.
On 21 August 2019, it was announced that Oldaker had left Gillingham after the club, along with the player, decided to terminate his contract by mutual consent.
The following month, Oldaker signed on non-contract terms for National League South side Billericay Town. After just three appearances for Billericay and two for Westfield, he signed for former club Hythe Town on 24 January 2020.
On 5 February 2021, Oldaker signed for National League South side Welling United. He made three appearances for The Wings before the COVID-19 pandemic curtailed the remainder of the campaign. On 28 May 2021, he subsequently agreed to return to Hythe Town, despite signing on for another campaign with Welling prior to the announcement.
On 23 November 2021, after featuring heavily for Hythe, Oldaker made his return to the National League South to join Surrey-based Dorking Wanderers.
Having achieved promotion through the National League South play-offs, Oldaker signed for fellow National League club Chesterfield.
On 23 May 2025, Oldaker agreed to join League Two side Swindon Town on a two-year contract from 1 July.
On 18 June 2026, Oldaker returned to the National League, signing for Southend United on a two-year deal for an undisclosed fee.
Career statistics
ClubSeasonLeagueFA CupLeague CupOtherTotalDivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsGillingham2015–16League One00000000002016–17League One5000102Appearances in the EFL Trophy2822017–18League One30001042822018–19League One1303100101712019–20League One0000000000Total210312074334Hythe Town (loan)2017–18Isthmian League Division One South145———145Billericay Town2019–20National League South2010—0030Westfield2019–20Isthmian League South Central Division20———20Hythe Town2019–20Isthmian League South East Division70———702020–21Isthmian League South East Division6110—3Appearances in the FA Trophy0101Total13110—30171Welling United2020–21National League South30———30Hythe Town2021–22Isthmian League South East Division11040—10160Dorking Wanderers2021–22National League South244——1Appearance in the National League South play-offs0254Chesterfield2022–23National League39350—214642023–24National League25141—002922024–25 League Two323201051404Total967111107211510Swindon Town2025–26 League Two251211030312Career total201182234022625927
Honours Chesterfield National League: 2023–24
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References