Darren James Patterson was a Belfast-born central defender who joined from York City. Injury curtailed his career, but he stayed at Oxford as Youth Team manager, where he was singularly successful, leading the under-18s to an unbeaten championship in 2006. Appointed caretaker manager for three games (unbeaten) in 2006, just prior to Nick Merry`s takeover from Firoz Kassam, when Jim Smith was installed. Offered the post as Brentford`s manager, he turned it down on the promise of the Oxford job. Patto was made Smith`s assistant at Easter 2007, and then in October he took over permanently. After a shaky start, the side showed superb end-of-season form to go into the close season on a bit of a high. Northern Ireland Youth international, 1 Northern Ireland Under-21 cap, 17 Northern Ireland caps.