The 31-year-old centre-back joins us from Wakefield and brings a wealth of non-league experience, particularly in the NCEL and Northern Premier League. Sam has enjoyed successful spells at several local clubs, most notably a standout period with Emley AFC, where he was a key figure in their title-winning campaigns and made over 140 appearances, contributing 18 goals during his time there. He has also featured prominently for Golcar United, Brighouse Town, Ossett United, and Albion Sports.

Sam is renowned for his commanding aerial presence, strong leadership qualities, composure on the ball, and ability to chip in with important goals from set-pieces. Whether deployed as a centre-back or right-back, he organises the defence effectively and thrives in the competitive, physical battles that define local football in West Yorkshire. His experience in high-pressure matches - including FA Cup ties and title races - will be invaluable as we look to build on last season’s progress.

Joint Manager James Bicknell: “We’re really pleased to bring Sam to the club. He knows this league inside out and has performed consistently at a high level for a number of years. He’s a reliable, no-nonsense defender who will add quality, depth, and leadership to our backline. We’ve been impressed with his attitude and fitness, and we’re excited to see what he can contribute during pre-season and beyond.”

General Manager Sheridann Dickerson: “Sam is a fantastic addition for the football club and a player we’re absolutely delighted to bring in. He has a proven track record at this level, brings real leadership and experience to the squad, and perfectly fits the standards and ambition we are building here at Campion.

He’s a strong character on and off the pitch, knows the league inside out, and his quality will be a huge asset for us throughout the season. We’re looking forward to welcoming him to the club and seeing him in the red and black shirt.”

At 31, Sam remains in his prime for this level of football. With several key players already committed for 2026/27, including Paddy Sykes, Max Dickinson, Ewan Gregson and Sonny Whittingham, Sam’s signing is another positive step as we aim to compete at the top end of the NCEL Premier Division.

Upon signing, Sam shared his thoughts: "Buzzing to have signed, as soon as as I met with Bicks and Shez they made Campions ambitions for the season clear which is what I wanted to hear. They explained the group of lads together are a class act and I’m looking forward to being successful with everyone involved at Campion FC"

Sam will link up with the squad for pre-season training and will be available for our upcoming friendlies, including the Dave Keegan Memorial Trophy.

Welcome to Campion, Sam!

We look forward to seeing Sam pull on the red and black shirt and become a fans’ favourite at the Anytime Couriers Stadium. His dedication & experience make him a perfect fit for our club’s ambitions.

Keep an eye on our social media channels, website, and matchday programme for further squad updates, debut information, and more as we build towards the new campaign.