This week’s Profile Profile is someone who could be described as a bright spark. He’s also someone who signed for Garforth Town after coming through open trials as the only successful player out of 40 players.
This is Garforth right-back Sam Leach’s Player Profile.
Name
Sam Leach
Age
28
Current Club
Garforth Town
Previous Clubs
Garforth Town, Hemsworth Miners Welfare
Position
Right-back
Day Job
I run a venue and community business in York, called Spark York.
Best mate in football
I have been very fortunate to play with some great lads at both Garforth and Hemsworth. Two that stick are Simon Poole at Garforth and Harry Viggars at Hemsworth.
Team you support
York City
Football Idol
I grew up idolising David Beckham. I’d struggle to list too many idols growing up watching York City!
Biggest influence on football career
My dad Andy has always been incredibly supportive of my football career and has always given me the confidence to try and prove myself in non-league football.
Career Highlight
As cliche as it may sound, I feel humbled to have played for two teams in Garforth and Hemsworth that I have been proud to represent. To have recently played 100 games for Garforth is a personal honour for me.
Most Memorable Game
A game that sticks in the memory is winning 3-2 at Bishop Auckland for Hemsworth in the FA Vase. We barely had 11 players and they were beating everybody at the time.
Lowest moment in football
It probably feels now! Having started the season well, I damaged an ankle ligament in a work charity game that I helped organise which looks to have put me out for the rest of the season.
Biggest regret in football
I don’t have any regrets. I have always prided myself on being decent and respectful to everybody I have come across. Playing in that charity game in December and getting snapped on my ankle seems the the biggest one now, as I feel I’ve let the Garforth lads down not playing now and helping with the promotion push!
Funniest moment in football
A lot of funny memories seem to come from the antics of Chick Hayward (then assistant manager at Hemsworth). One of the funniest person I’ve ever met.
First semi-professional manager
Rob Hunter gave me my debut at this level. I’m very grateful for him believing in me in a group of about 40 trialists and making me a firm fixture of his first Garforth side. I am grateful to Wayne Benn too for giving me a chance to prove myself at Hemsworth.
Non League Debut
I remember my debut was away at Hemsworth and within about 30 seconds, and Nash Connelly beat me in the air at a corner and we were already losing! We went on to lose 3-0 that day. I remember getting dog’s abuse from the Hemsworth fans which bizarrely made me want to play for them one day!
First Red Card in Non League
I am fortunate to have only been sent off once, for a last man tackle on Nathan Keightley at Penistone, playing for Hemsworth.
First and Best Non League Goal
Which one to choose from!? I think I’ve probably only scored 6 goals in non-league football! The first I think was away at Yorkshire Amateur in the League Cup. A barely claimable deflected goal. My best is probably earlier this season away at Thackley. Whatever assistant Smudge says, it wasn’t a cross!
What do you want to achieve in football in the future?
I would love to get promoted for Garforth playing under Paul Marshall. Marshy has given me a new lease of footballing life and repaying him and the club for their support is an ambition of mine.
Favourite Non League Ground
As York City fall under non-league status now, their old Bootham Crescent ground will always have a place in my heart. Both Garforth and Hemsworth grounds are special to me, but as far as a neutral ground, I have always liked playing at Staveley.
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