ℹ️ PERS. INFORMATION
Name: Sam Howes
Date of birth: 10/11/1997
Place of birth: Sidcup
Language: English
Club: Leyton Orient FC
On loan: Wealdstone FC
Favourite position: Goalkeeper
Favourite foot: Right
⚽️ CLUB HISTORY
| Club | Years |
|---|---|
| West Ham United FC | Youth – 2017 |
| Wealdstone FC | – 2015 – 2016 (Loan) |
| Hampton & Richmond Borough FC | – 2017 (Loan) |
| Watford FC | 2017 – 2019 |
| Hampton & Richmond Borough FC | – 2017 – 2018 (Loan) |
| Eastbourne Borough FC | – 2019 (Loan) |
| Woking FC | 2019 – 2020 |
| Chelmsford City FC | – 2019 (Loan) |
| Dorking Wanderers FC | – 2020 (Loan) |
| Dorking Wanderers FC | 2020 – 2021 |
| Horsham FC | 2021 – 2022 |
| Wealdstone FC | – 2022 (Loan) |
| Wealdstone FC | 2022 – 2023 |
| Leyton Orient FC | 2023 – |
| Wealdstone FC | – 2024 – (Loan) |
Interview:
Introduce yourself…
My name is Sam Howes and I’m currently a goalkeeper at Leyton Orient FC.
Samuel, you started your football career at the academy of Crystal Palace FC. How did you end up in Crystal Palace FC’s youth academy?
I ended up at Palace after being scouted whilst playing for my local Grassroots team at the time, Three Bridges FC. I had only been a goalkeeper for a season at the time.
After two years in the academy of Crystal Palace, you moved to West Ham United. In 2014, you won West Ham’s young hammer of the Year award. Did you expect to win this prize?
To be honest I didn’t, at the time I was an under 16 playing in 18s and reserve team football which for my age was an achievement. To win that award was a massive moment for me as like I say I wasn’t expecting this one bit. The season I had was very successful playing out of my age group and also for my country too…so I couldn’t be happier with the award.
During your time at West Ham, you were loaned out to National league South sides Wealdstone FC and Hampton & Richmond Borough FC. Did you notice a lot of difference between those clubs?
I certainly noticed differences for sure but the one that stood out to me is it wasn’t about performance it was just about getting 3 points on a Saturday. For me as a keeper playing men’s football at that age was massive for my development and allowed me to make mistakes and also learn along the way to become a better keeper.
For Horsham FC, you made 58 appearances in all competitions. How did you experience your time at Horsham?
Horsham for me was a new start, I had been dropping down the leagues since leaving from Watford and other clubs in non league and the thought in my mind was giving up as I felt I hadn’t filled my potential, but signing at Horsham gave me the love back for the game I always had been involved in since a young age. We had a very successful season reaching the 1st round proper of the FA Cup and winning the velocity cup as well as winning players player of the season. I owe a lot to Horsham and always follow them as a club as they gave me the opportunity to climb back up the leagues and get my love back for football.
In August 2023, you made your debut for Leyton Orient FC, in a EFL Cup match against Plymouth Argyle FC. How important was that moment for you?
This was up there with one of my biggest moments as I had worked towards making my professional debut for years and to be able to do it after all the setbacks was a huge sense of achievement for me personally.
On 17 september, you re-joined Wealdstone FC for the fourth time, signing on a two month loan as cover for the injured Archie Metthews. Was it a quick and easy decision for you?
Yes, this was an easy decision for me as I know the club and have had enjoyable spells here with Wealdstone in the past, also at the age I’m at now the game time is massive for me to be able to keep showcasing what I’m about. So I am delighted to be back out playing at a club I love, enjoying the game I love.
With England’s Under-17 national team, you won the UEFA European Under-17 Championship in 2014. How did you experience that championship?
Probably without a doubt the best memory I have in football, to win this competition with the squad we had was unreal and hard to put into words, at the time I was also doing my GCSES so to walk away winning the competition and passing all my exams was a win win all round. The experience of the competition to play against players who are now some of the worlds best was unreal and something I’ll always remember for rest of my life.
You have played football for different clubs. At which club did you learn the most? And why?
Every club is different and I’ve had different experiences at each one weather it’s relegation battles or play off games, I’ve always remembered to give my all in games and away from the pitch. Horsham for me was the club that will always stand up there as that allowed me to get things wrong but also build up the game time and create my style of goalkeeping which helped me move back up the leagues.
What are your personal goals for this season?
My personal goals this season are to enjoy the remaining time of my loan spell with Wealdstone and hopefully build up many more games through this season weather that’s back with Oreint or out loan, just to keep showcasing myself as a goalkeeper.
