Karl Darlow is an English professional footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for EFL Championship club Leeds United. Darlow is a product of the Aston Villa and Nottingham Forest academies and has spent most of his career at Newcastle United, whilst also having time on loan at both Newport County and Walsall earlier in his career. He is the grandson of former Wales international forward Ken Leek who was included in the Welsh 1958 World Cup squad.

The 2010–11 season was Nottingham Forest's third season in the Football League Championship, following promotion from League One in the 2007–08 season after spending three years in the third tier. Forest remained in this division after losing in the 2010 Football League play-offs. In addition to the Championship, Forest also entered the League Cup in the first round, where they were knocked out by Bradford City and the FA Cup in the third round, where they eventually were knocked out by West Ham United in the fourth round. In the league Forest once again made it the playoffs, losing to eventual winners Swansea City.