Brian Talbot signed Duane Darby in the summer of 2000 from Notts County on a free transfer. Talbot was looking to strengthen his Nationwide Conference squad after narrowly missing out on promotion the previous season. Darby was seen as the perfect man to fire the Diamonds into the Football League.

Darby quickly became a fan favourite. His powerful attributes and lethal finishing took Rushden to the top of the Nationwide Conference. His partnership with Justin Jackson provided the Diamonds fans with some memorable moments in the 2000/2001 season, including a magnificent brace away at rivals Kettering Town. He finished top-scorer in 2001 with 27 goals and was named supporters player of the season.

Following Diamonds promotion to the Football League, Darby struggled to impose himself as he had done in the Conference. He continued to score goals and by the end of his Diamonds career had amassed 51 goals in 129 games for Rushden. After falling out of favour with Brian Talbot, Darby moved on to Shrewsbury Town for £15,000.

He immediately helped them return to the Football League and remained at Gay Meadow for three years. In February 2006, he was released and with several clubs trying to acquire his signature, he joined Nuneaton Borough. At the beginning of the 2007/2008 season, he moved to Halesowen Town, before taking up a management appointment at Bromsgrove Rovers in December 2007. He was unsuccessful in resurrecting Rovers fortunes however, and was sacked in August 2008. He joined Stourbridge Swifts as a player and finished the season with Hednesford Town. After a brief spell with Evesham United, he joined Midland Alliance club Alvechurch on 19 October 2009, scoring on his debut.

Although Darby enjoyed 3 years at Rushden, it is his debut season that will stick in the minds of fans for years to come. His commitment to the Diamonds' cause, and his incredible goal-scoring record that season, helped Diamonds achieve Football League status for the very first time.