Darrell was born in Bilston, Staffordshire. When he left school in 1962 he joined Birmingham City as an apprentice, turning professional two-and-a-half years later. He made his debut as an 18-year-old, scoring in a 5–1 defeat at Bury in the Second Division on 16 October 1965. He started the next five games, in the absence of Geoff Vowden and Malcolm Beard,Matthews, p. 201. but over the next five years he appeared only occasionally for Birmingham, mainly as substitute,Matthews, pp. 202–206. and spent periods on loan at Newport County and Gillingham. In 1971 Darrell joined Peterborough United of the Fourth Division. After 42 league games he returned to the Black Country to play for Bilston and Darlaston in the West Midlands (Regional) League.
