AMBASSADOR SPOTLIGHT: SAM FIELDING

Hi, I’m Sam, a recent graduate from Loughborough University and former 1st Team Football Captain. It’s been a long journey to where I am now in my football career and I’d love to share an insight into how I got here and where I plan on continuing my development.

I’m sure I’m similar to many of you when I say it began in the back garden. Kicking a ball into a small rusty goal in the dark and celebrating on my own acting like I was in front of thousands. This passion drove my development and earned me trials at multiple clubs including Peterborough United, Cambridge United and Leicester City FC. These came while playing grassroots junior football and Sunday league.

After unsuccessful trials, I was offered the chance to play in an u18’s Junior Premier League team at 16 years old. I took the chance which landed me great success. During this period I broke into my Grassroots step 7 reserve team and made appearances in the 1st team at step 5. I won the JPL National cup, the county cup, the reserves league and earnt young player of the club at Deeping Rangers. This was made possible by my parents taking me to 3 training sessions a week and 2 games on the weekends consistently alongside managers who continued to trust me at a young age.

I came to Loughborough University with non league experience and hoped to at least make one of the 6 teams. Little did I think I would come straight into the 1st team. Biding my time and learning from the better players in front of me, I wasn’t making the squads and spent many weekends training alone but eventually earnt my chance in the starting line up. From sitting in the bottom half at this point, we then went on a 17 game unbeaten run and made the play offs, winning 7-1 and making Loughborough history with promotion to Step 4.

It was my second season which hosted further surprise as I was offered the captaincy and a scholarship. Something I will always be grateful for and cherish the experience. This season we became BUCS national champions, playing with a team like that I’ll never forget especially with the tough away trips and challenges they brought to make it to the final.

Retaining my captaincy for my final year, I was fortunate to be selected for England Universities, maintain the clubs Step 4 competition for next season and reach a 3rd consecutive Leicestershire county cup final. All whilst making 100 appearances. After a tough season and unfortunately missing out on making my appearance for England Universities due to fully rupturing my ankle, 100 appearances wouldn’t have been made possible without all the staff at Loughborough helping me return to fitness in time.

My gratitude doesn’t stop there for Loughborough as without their platform, support and endless hours of time given to my development, my next step wouldn’t be made possible. I’m pleased to announce I’ve accepted a full ride scholarship with Penn State University whilst completing an MSc in Kiniesology. I look forward to implementing everything I’ve learnt whilst at Loughborough and continue to improve as a person and as a footballer stateside.