Background
Key was born in Darlington, County Durham, and began his football career as a youth trainee with his hometown club, Darlington F.C. He made his Football League debut on 15 October 1996, as a late substitute in a 2–0 defeat away to Cardiff City in the Third Division.He appeared twice more in the Third Division, each time as a late substitute in a defeat, and once in the 1996-1997 FA Cup, starting the match against non-league club Runcorn which Darlington won 4–1.