Donated by Kimbo

By Andy Walker
January 24 2008

Coventry's very own entrepreneur Darren Clayton has turned to science off the field - after launching his own biometrics business. Although the fortunes of the Butts Park Arena side are at the forefront of the openside flanker's mind, the former Harlequins youngster has started to invest in his future away from the rugby field.

And the 22-year-old has spotted potential in the world of biometrics - technology that can be used to define a person's identity through fingerprints, DNA or retinal scans and often used for security purposes.

Clayton, who joined Coventry in May 2006, was handed the opportunity by his businessman father Barry, who runs a biometrics franchise.

Now Clayton junior is running the Coventry, Leicester and Northampton region for Newcastle-based UK Biometrics.

"I'm trying to sort out running my own little business outside of rugby in UK Biometrics," he said.

"It's all to do with fingerprint access control so instead of using your key, PIN or swipe card you use your fingerprint because it's the most unique thing.

"I've been trying to get that off the ground so all my time outside of rugby has been going into that. It's been quite busy.

"My father franchises the business out and I'm just running the region and looking to sell a couple of products. It keeps me out of playing Playstation after training and doing little things that just waste your time.

"It started earlier this year when I needed to do something different and keep my mind fresh. It was a bit different and a bit more proactive than sitting around a coffee bar after training. There's a lot more stuff outside rugby that I want to do so I'm just trying to keep it open at the moment.

"It's so exciting, everyone I go and talk to are so interested and just want to ask more and more questions.

"The lads in the team take the mick a lot, they get stuck into me about wearing my suit. Some of them are quite interested but mostly there's a lot of micky-taking."

Despite starting to plot a career away from sport, former centre Clayton still has a desire to reach the top of his game.

From watching his boyhood heroes at The Stoop, Clayton came through the ranks at Quins and learned his trade as a professional before heading to Coventry.

But having tasted life at the top with the glamorous Surrey outfit, Clayton wants to get back there and force his way into the international scene.

"I'd like to be a top-flight rugby player, without a doubt," he said. "My ambition is to play for England one day. I've got little goals in between that: try and play for Coventry as long as I can and make them a successful club and then if the chance comes in the Premiership with Coventry, brilliant.

"Playing for England has always been a childhood dream. I used to go and watch Quins when I was a kid and watch WIll Carling, Will Greenwood and all those guys and it went from there."

After a rocky start to their 2007/08 campaign, which resulted in head coach Murray Henderson being moved side-ways to be replaced temporarily by Brett Davey, Coventry have started to steady the ship. And Clayton insists that it's only a matter of time before Coventry's young guns click and the 'sleeping giant' finally realises its potential.

"We've got a very young squad, the average age of the forwards is 23 and the backs is 25 so we were just gelling together at the start," he said.

"Now we've come together, we know how each other play. It's important that I know how the number eight plays and how the scrum-half plays.

"I think this squad could hit its peak anytime soon. Brett keeps talking about the sleeping giant and I think he's hit it on the head there. We just need a bit more experience throughout the squad and you only get that by playing.

"This season we'd like to do well and finish mid-table but then, after that, next season it's all guns blazing. There's no more excuses."

Darren's future is in hand

Discussion started by Unofficial Coventry Rugby (IP Logged), 24/01/2008 18:09

Unofficial Coventry Rugby
24/01/2008 18:09

Darren's future is in hand

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