Midfielder Sam joined the Blues in March 2011 from grassroots side Langley Park, following a spell in the USA. He departed in November 2011 to join Tow Law and then Blyth Spartans. Sam made 28 appearances, scoring two goals.

My first impressions of the club were that it was unbelievably friendly, even when things may not have been going great on the pitch, I always found everyone around the club and the fans to be friendly.

I joined the club when Tommy Cassidy had just taken over. I had just returned from a scholarship in America and was playing for a local team on a Sunday morning to get some minutes under my belt. One of the blokes in the team worked with Tom Courtney, who was training at Whitby at the time. Tom had a word with Tommy and got me an invite to training and Tommy signed me after that first session.

I mainly knocked about with Alex White. We both signed for the club at the same time, I didn't know him beforehand, but after that first training session, I ended up following him to Bishop Auckland and from there, the car school began. It was normally me and Alex travelling together and then Matty Tymon the odd time.

Some of the games that always stick in my head have to be the games with big crowds, most notably FC United away at Gigg Lane. The result wasn't a great one, but as a younger player at the time, I remember the atmosphere from the home fans being something I hadn't really experienced before. Otherwise, it would be my first appearance for the club against North Ferriby, when we were easily beaten and I was thrown on for the last half an hour at right wing, probably the last position you would see me play.

Coincidentally Tommy did the exact same thing in my first game for Blyth, after I left Whitby. I signed for him twice in my career, so I obviously thought enough of him to sign for him the second time. He was certainly a little old school in his ways and theories though.

I have been at Morpeth for the last two seasons, and before that Shildon for five years and I had a season at Blyth Spartans. Last season was good and we [Morpeth] have a really strong squad which always helps. I'm also arguably a lot more experienced than the last time I played in the league so know what to expect.

I think [voiding the season] was probably the right decision. For a side with nothing to play for, there would be nothing worse than starting the season back up for 10 games in the middle of June/July, not to mention the mini pre-season that would be required prior to starting again. It wouldn't have been competitive in my eyes. I think Morpeth would've made the play-offs as we were really starting to get a good, consistent run together.

I had played at the Turnbull for Blyth and also for Shildon in an FA cup replay. It's not odd to go back as I enjoy going back there's a lot worse places for away games in these leagues, that's for sure!