We kick off the new year on the Christians in Sport Podcast with a trip to the Hawthorns – home of West Bromwich Albion. Here Danno meets former West Brom, Derby and Portsmouth defender Darren Moore, who is now coaching Albion’s first-team.

Darren, or Big Dave as he was known to Baggies fans due to his apparent likeness to the character in the Pot Noodles advert, was renowned as a no nonsense defender. He had the distinction of being promoted to the Premier League four times in a professional career that spanned 20 years and featured almost 600 games and three international caps for Jamaica.

Growing up a mile and a half from the Hawthorns, the Midlands played a big role in Darren’s career – although he made his first-team debut at Torquay United as a 17-year-old. His powerful, 6ft 3in frame and commanding displays on the field won respect from fans across the country, but as Darren tells Danno, at a key point in his career, he became fearful and doubted his ability.

The turning point came at Bradford City where Darren understood for the first time that he could give his all to his football and follow Jesus. Previously this combination had seemed impossible.

Listen to this absorbing podcast as Darren talks about:

• The last-minute call up that saw him make his first-team debut at 17 (4mins 20secs)
• The gut-wrenching experience of not getting to play in the Premier League with Bradford City (6.30)
• The influence Bradford teammate Wayne Jacobs had on his Christian faith (9.20)
• How he felt when he understood he could trust God and not be fearful (11.30)
• The chances he had to share his faith in Jesus with teammates at Portsmouth (14.40)
• His friendship with Linvoy Primus, who also became a Christian (18.40)
• Yo-yoing between the Championship and the Premier League with West Brom (19.40)
• Winning the Championship Play-off Final with Derby against West Brom (22.50)
• Helping current footballers look to Christ (25.00)
• The assurance of his secure status as a child of God (28.45)
• Being part of a fellowship group for Christian footballers in the Midlands (31.50)

And much more…