Sam Hornby

Sam Hornby

Personal information
Full name	Samuel Connor Hornby [1]
Date of birth	(1995-02-02) 2 February 1995 (age 29) [2]
Place of birth	Birmingham, England [3]
Height	6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) [3]
Position(s)	Goalkeeper
Team information
Current team	Walsall
Number	12
Youth career
200?–2009	Walsall
2011–2013	Hednesford Town
2013–2015	Redditch United
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
2015–2017	Burton Albion	0	(0)
2015–2016	→ Brackley Town (loan)	29	(0)
2016–2017	→ Kidderminster Harriers (loan)	34	(0)
2017–2019	Port Vale	11	(0)
2017–2018	→ Chester (loan)	13	(0)
2019–2022	Bradford City	24	(0)
2019–2020	→ AFC Fylde (loan)	16	(0)
2022	→ Colchester United (loan)	8	(0)
2022–2024	Colchester United	18	(0)
2023	→ Solihull Moors (loan)	3	(0)
2024–	Walsall	0	(0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 16:38, 8 May 2024 (UTC)

Samuel Connor Hornby (born 2 February 1995) is an English professional footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for EFL League Two club Walsall.

He spent his youth with Hednesford Town and Redditch United before turning professional at Burton Albion in June 2015. He spent the 2015–16 and 2016–17 seasons on loan at Brackley Town and Kidderminster Harriers respectively before he was transferred to Port Vale in June 2017. He was loaned out to Chester in December 2017 and left the club permanently to sign for Bradford City in May 2019. He was loaned out to AFC Fylde in October 2019 and Colchester United in January 2022 before joining Colchester permanently six months later. From Colchester, he was loaned to Solihull Moors in November 2023. He joined Walsall in July 2024.

Career

Burton Albion

Hornby played for the youth teams at Hednesford Town and Redditch United before turning professional after signing a one-year contract with Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink's Burton Albion in June 2015. ^[4] He joined National League North side Brackley Town on an initial one-month loan in October 2015, and went on to remain an ever-present for the rest of the 2015–16 season as the "Saints" successfully avoided relegation. Brackley manager Kevin Wilkin named him as his Player of the Season, and Hornby also picked up the club's player's Player of the Season award. ^[5]

Speaking in May 2016, Nigel Clough said that "he's impressed us very much since we've come in", and "the plan with him is to get him out on loan, if we can do, to League Two or the National League". ^[6] He returned on loan to the National League North in June 2016 with newly relegated club Kidderminster Harriers. ^[7] Harriers ended the 2016–17 season in second place, and lost out to Chorley in the play-off semi-finals; manager John Eustace praised Hornby's performance in the play-offs. ^[8]

Port Vale

Hornby signed a two-year contract with EFL League Two club Port Vale in June 2017. ^[9] He faced competition for the first-team spot from Rob Lainton, Ryan Boot, and Joe Slinn. ^[10] He made his debut for the "Valiants" in the first round of the EFL Cup on 9 August, coming on for Lainton – who had suffered a serious thigh injury – at half-time during a 4–1 defeat to Leeds United at Elland Road. ^[11] He made his debut in the English Football League three days later, in a 3–2 loss to Wycombe Wanderers at Vale Park, and with Hornby conceding six goals within the space of 135 minutes, manager Michael Brown said that he was considering signing a new goalkeeper as Hornby was thrown "in the deep end" despite being "a young boy" with "a good future." ^[12] Hornby picked up an injury in October and was ruled out of action for six weeks. ^[13] On 7 December, he joined National League club Chester on an initial one-month loan. ^[14] "Blues" manager Marcus Bignot signed Hornby to provide competition for Alex Lynch, following the departure of back-up goalkeeper Nathan Vaughan. ^[15] Having established himself in the "Seals" first-team, the loan deal was initially extended by a further month, and then until the end of the 2017–18 season. ^{[16] [17]} However, he was recalled by Port Vale manager Neil Aspin on 26 February after Lainton picked up an injury. ^[18] He got his chance to stake a first-team place under Aspin after Boot picked up an injury at the start of April. ^[19] He played well in the end of season run-in to help the club to avoid relegation, leading Aspin to say that "now he has proved a point and now he puts himself in a really good position to compete for the number one jersey next season." ^[20]

Despite playing well in pre-season friendlies, he began the 2018–19 season as back-up to experienced new signing Scott Brown, and was limited to appearances in the group stages of the EFL Trophy. ^[21] Brown went on to be named as the club's Player of the Year whilst Hornby was restricted to reserve team matches despite impressing in those games. ^[22]

Bradford City

In May 2019, after rejecting a new contract offer from Port Vale, Hornby signed a two-year contract with fellow League Two club Bradford City. ^{[23] [24]} He made his debut for the "Bantams" in the EFL Cup on 13 August, in a 4–0 defeat to Preston North End at Valley Parade. ^[25] He made his second appearance in the EFL Trophy on 3 September, helping Bradford to beat Bolton Wanderers 4–3 on penalties following a 1–1 draw. ^[26] He moved on loan to AFC Fylde on 7 October after manager Gary Bowyer wanted Hornby to play regular football rather than sit on the bench as cover for Richard O'Donnell. ^[27] Dave Challinor stated that he brought Hornby to the "Coasters" after goalkeepers James Montgomery and Dan Lavercombe suffered a loss of confidence following Fylde's record of 29 goals conceded in the opening 15 games of the National League season. ^[28]

Hornby played 21 games in the 2020–21 season, which proved a difficult campaign for the club and one which he described as "a real mixed bag and a test of character" after he replaced an injured Richard O'Donnell in the starting eleven. ^[29] Joint-managers Mark Trueman and Conor Sellars signed Will Huffer from Bradford (Park Avenue) in January to provide back-up for Hornby rather than attempting to bring in an experienced goalkeeper to replace him in the starting line-up. ^[30] On 12 May 2021, he was one of four players offered a new contract by Bradford City. ^{[31] [32]} Manager Derek Adams signed Alex Bass on loan from Portsmouth in January 2023, which was enough to convince Hornby that it was time to leave the club. ^[33]

Colchester United

Having featured nine times for Bradford during the first half of the campaign, he joined League Two rivals Colchester United on loan until the end of the 2021–22 season on 31 January 2022; "U's" manager Wayne Brown required goalkeeper cover following suspension to Shamal George, injury concerns with Dean Gerken and the inexperience of Ted Collins. ^[34] He made a good impression at the Colchester Community Stadium, being named in the League Two Team of the Week for the final of his eight appearances, leading to speculation that he would be a summer transfer target. ^{[35] [36]}

His loan spell was made into a permanent one on 28 June after an undisclosed fee was agreed; he signed a two-year contract with Colchester. ^[37] He said that he was looking forward to battling with George for a first-team place in the 2022–23 campaign. ^[38] However, he picked up an injury. He underwent surgery to repair a SLAP tear (Superior Labrum from Anterior to Posterior tear) and a partial tear of his rotation cuff in his shoulder, which saw him miss the second half of the campaign. ^[39] Manager Matt Bloomfield signed Tom Smith on loan from Arsenal as cover in the January transfer window. ^[40]

On 15 November 2023, Hornby joined National League club Solihull Moors on loan until January 2024, after Moors had loanee Tommy Simkin recalled to his parent club. ^[41] However, he was recalled early from his loan by Colchester manager Matthew Etherington on 14 December after having kept one clean sheet in four games for Solihull. ^{[42] [43]} He remained as Owen Goodman's understudy until he was returned to the Colchester first XI by new manager Danny Cowley at the end of the 2023–24 season. ^[44] United narrowly avoided relegation and Horby said he would love to be kept on at the club. ^[45] However, he was one of four players released by the club upon the expiry of his contract. ^[46]

In June 2024, Horby began training with Chesterfield at their pre-season training camp in Spain. ^[47] He had trials with Southend United and Walsall the following month. ^{[48] [49]}

Walsall

On 24 July 2024, Hornby joined Walsall on a permanent one-year deal having impressed on his trial period; he had previously spent time with the club's academy before his departure aged 14. ^[50] Manager Mat Sadler said that "It's one we've been really careful about who we put alongside Tommy (Simkin) and Sam is the perfect one". ^[51] Simkin started in the league at the start of the 2024–25 season, though Hornby saved three penalties in two EFL Trophy games. ^[52]

Career statistics

As of match played 27 April 2024

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition

Club	Season	League			FA Cup		League Cup		Other		Total
		Division	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals
Burton Albion	2015–16 [53]	League One	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
	2016–17 [54]	Championship	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
	Total		0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Brackley Town (loan)	2015–16 [55]	National League North	29	0	3	0	0	0	0	0	32	0
Kidderminster Harriers (loan)	2016–17 [56]	National League North	34	0	4	0	0	0	4 [lower-alpha 1]	0	42	0
Port Vale	2017–18 [57]	League Two	11	0	0	0	1	0	0	0	12	0
	2018–19 [58]	League Two	0	0	0	0	0	0	3 [lower-alpha 2]	0	3	0
	Total		11	0	0	0	1	0	3	0	15	0
Chester (loan)	2017–18 [55]	National League	13	0	0	0	0	0	2 [lower-alpha 3]	0	15	0
Bradford City	2019–20 [59]	League Two	0	0	0	0	1	0	1 [lower-alpha 2]	0	2	0
	2020–21 [60]	League Two	18	0	0	0	0	0	3 [lower-alpha 2]	0	21	0
	2021–22 [61]	League Two	6	0	0	0	0	0	3 [lower-alpha 2]	0	9	0
	Total		24	0	0	0	1	0	7	0	32	0
AFC Fylde (loan)	2019–20 [55]	National League	16	0	2	0	0	0	4 [lower-alpha 3]	0	22	0
Colchester United (loan)	2021–22 [61]	League Two	8	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	8	0
Colchester United	2022–23 [62]	League Two	13	0	0	0	1	0	2 [lower-alpha 2]	0	16	0
	2023–24 [63]	League Two	5	0	0	0	0	0	1 [lower-alpha 2]	0	6	0
	Total		26	0	0	0	1	0	3	0	30	0
Solihull Moors (loan)	2023–24 [55]	National League	3	0	0	0	0	0	1 [lower-alpha 3]	0	4	0
Walsall	2024–25 [64]	League Two	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Career total			156	0	9	0	3	0	24	0	192	0

1. Two appearances in the FA Trophy and two in the National League North play-offs
2. Appearance/s in the EFL Trophy
3. Appearance/s in the FA Trophy

References

1. "Retained List 2016-17" (PDF). English Football League. Retrieved 13 June 2017.
2. "FootballSquads - Port Vale - 2018/2019". www.footballsquads.co.uk. Retrieved 1 February 2021.
3. "Sam Hornby|Fifteen Eleven Management". 1511management.com. Archived from the original on 30 June 2018. Retrieved 9 January 2018.
4. "Footballer thanks his former Sutton Coldfield college after signing Burton Albion contract". Sutton Coldfield Observer. 15 June 2015. Retrieved 22 June 2017.
5. Willis, Ash (18 April 2016). "Sam Hornby Named Brackley Town's Player of the Season". burtonalbionfc.co.uk. Retrieved 22 June 2017.
6. Wilkinson, Ashley (29 May 2016). "Burton Albion look for League Two loan move for keeper Sam Hornby". Burton Mail. Retrieved 22 June 2017.
7. "Young but experienced shot-stopper Sam Hornby signs for Harriers". harriers.co.uk. 27 June 2016. Archived from the original on 26 August 2016. Retrieved 22 June 2017.
8. Spinks, Martin (5 May 2017). "Old Stoke City favourite goes into play-off battle as boss". Stoke Sentinel. Retrieved 22 June 2017.
9. Baggaley, Mike (21 June 2017). "Port Vale sign goalkeeper Sam Hornby from Burton Albion". Stoke Sentinel. Retrieved 22 June 2017.^{[ permanent dead link ]}
10. Baggaley, Mike (22 June 2017). "Sam Hornby relishing battle for first-team spot at Port Vale". Stoke Sentinel. Retrieved 22 June 2017.
11. "Leeds United 4-1 Port Vale". BBC Sport. 9 August 2017. Retrieved 11 August 2017.
12. Baggaley, Mike (14 August 2017). "Port Vale boss Michael Brown weighs up move for keeper". Stoke Sentinel. Retrieved 16 August 2017.
13. Baggaley, Michael (17 October 2017). "Port Vale reveal Sam Hornby injury news". Stoke Sentinel. Retrieved 18 October 2017.
14. Baggaley, Michael (7 December 2017). "Port Vale keeper Sam Hornby joins Chester on loan". Stoke Sentinel. Retrieved 16 December 2017.
15. Powell, Dave (7 December 2017). "Chester FC seal loan signing of Port Vale goalkeeper". Chester Chronicle. Retrieved 16 December 2017.
16. Wheelock, Paul (9 January 2018). "Chester FC confirm the signing of Gary Roberts". Chester Chronicle. Retrieved 10 January 2018.
17. Baggaley, Michael (31 January 2018). "Port Vale keeper Sam Hornby extends loan at Chester FC". Stoke Sentinel. Retrieved 1 February 2018.
18. Baggaley, Michael (26 February 2018). "Port Vale recall Sam Hornby as Rob Lainton injury adds to club's keeper troubles". Stoke Sentinel. Retrieved 26 February 2018.
19. Smith, Peter (5 April 2018). "Sam Hornby told to stake his claim as Port Vale number one". Stoke Sentinel. Retrieved 5 April 2018.
20. Baggaley, Michael (17 April 2018). "Sam Hornby has played his way into Neil Aspin's Port Vale plans for next season". Stoke Sentinel. Retrieved 17 April 2018.
21. Baggaley, Michael (12 October 2018). "Port Vale's Neil Aspin happy with keeper options as Sam Hornby stakes claim". Stoke Sentinel. Retrieved 12 October 2018.
22. Baggaley, Michael (1 May 2019). "Excellent but unlucky - what next for Port Vale's out-of-contract Sam Hornby". Stoke Sentinel. Retrieved 2 May 2019.
23. Wales, Keith (31 May 2019). "Goalkeeper rejects Port Vale contract offer to join League Two rivals". stokesentinel.
24. "Sam Hornby: Goalkeeper joins Bradford City from Port Vale on a two-year deal". BBC Sport. 31 May 2019.
25. "Bradford City 0-4 Preston North End: Lilywhites cruise into Carabao Cup second round". BBC Sport. 13 August 2019. Retrieved 7 October 2019.
26. "Bolton 1-1 Bradford (3-4 on pens): Wanderers celebrate despite Leasing.com Trophy defeat". Sky Sports. 3 September 2019. Retrieved 7 October 2019.
27. "City keeper Hornby goes out on loan". Bradford Telegraph and Argus.
28. Moore, Andy (7 October 2019). "New AFC Fylde goalkeeper Sam Hornby set for debut against Chesterfield after loan move from Bradford". Lytham St Annes Express. Retrieved 7 October 2019.
29. Parker, Simon (6 May 2021). "Hornby's mixed emotions over Bradford City's up-and-down season". Bradford Telegraph and Argus. Retrieved 12 May 2021.
30. Rayner, Stuart (7 January 2021). "Bradford City sign goalkeeper Will Huffer but Sam Hornby will be their new No 1". www.yorkshirepost.co.uk. Retrieved 12 May 2021.
31. "Nine Bantams to Depart". www.bradfordcityfc.co.uk.
32. "City wave goodbye to nine - including long-serving defensive duo". Bradford Telegraph and Argus.
33. PArker, Simon (17 November 2022). ""I remember telling my girlfriend, 'am I XXXX or something?' She just laughed at me"". Bradford Telegraph and Argus. Retrieved 11 May 2023.
34. Waldron, Jonathan (31 January 2022). "DEADLINE DAY: U's sign Sam Hornby on loan from Bradford City". Gazette. Retrieved 31 January 2022.
35. Waldron, Jonathan (2 May 2022). "Sam Hornby likely to be on U's 'radar' when summer transfer window opens". Gazette. Retrieved 22 May 2022.
36. Waldron, Jonathan (9 May 2022). "Sam Hornby sends message to U's after loan spell ends". Gazette. Retrieved 22 May 2022.
37. Carmichael, Andy (28 June 2022). "Sam Hornby Rejoins U's". www.cu-fc.com. Retrieved 18 August 2022.
38. Waldron, Jonathan (29 June 2022). "Sam Hornby vows to compete with Shamal George to be U's number one". Gazette. Retrieved 18 August 2022.
39. Waldron, Johnathan (30 January 2023). "Colchester suffer double injury setback". Gazette. Retrieved 11 May 2023.
40. "Colchester sign Arsenal keeper Smith on loan". BBC Sport. 30 January 2023. Retrieved 11 May 2023.
41. "Sam Hornby signs for Solihull Moors on short-term loan!". www.solihullmoorsfc.co.uk. 15 November 2023. Retrieved 15 November 2023.
42. "FOOTBALL – Solihull Moors on-loan goalkeeper Sam Hornby recalled by Colchester". Solihull Observer. 14 December 2023. Retrieved 26 March 2024.
43. Carmichael, Andy (14 December 2023). "Sam Hornby Recalled". www.cu-fc.com. Retrieved 26 March 2024.
44. Waldron, Jonathan (19 April 2024). "Sam Hornby happy to seize his chance with U's after 'challenging' season". Gazette. Retrieved 8 May 2024.
45. Waldron, Jonathan (29 April 2024). "Sam Hornby hoping for Colchester United stay ahead of contract news". Gazette. Retrieved 8 May 2024.
46. "Colchester United: John Akinde among four players released". BBC Sport. 8 May 2024. Retrieved 8 May 2024.
47. Norcliffe, Liam (23 June 2024). "Former Colchester United, Bradford City and Port Vale goalkeeper training with Chesterfield". Derbyshire Times. Retrieved 25 June 2024.
48. Norcliffe, Liam (14 July 2024). "Goalkeeper plays for National League side after training with Chesterfield". Derbyshire Times. Retrieved 14 July 2024.
49. Bennett, George (22 July 2024). "Walsall set for talks with trialist". Express and Star. Retrieved 22 July 2024.
50. "Sam Horny signs one-year deal with the Saddlers". Walsall FC. 24 July 2024. Retrieved 24 July 2024.
51. "Sam Hornby: Walsall sign goalkeeper on one-year contract". BBC Sport. 24 July 2024. Retrieved 24 July 2024.
52. Baggaley, Mike (19 September 2024). "Heading in the right direction". Valiant's Substack. Retrieved 20 September 2024.
53. "Games played by Sam Hornby in 2015/2016". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 1 January 2017.
54. "Games played by Sam Hornby in 2016/2017". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 1 January 2017.
55. Sam Hornby at Soccerway
56. "Stats". kidderminsterharriers.com. Retrieved 22 June 2017.
57. "Games played by Sam Hornby in 2017/2018". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 1 June 2017.
58. "Games played by Sam Hornby in 2018/2019". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 26 June 2018.
59. "Games played by Sam Hornby in 2019/2020". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 1 June 2017.
60. "Games played by Sam Hornby in 2020/2021". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 1 June 2017.
61. "Games played by Sam Hornby in 2021/2022". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 1 June 2017.
62. "Games played by Sam Hornby in 2022/2023". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 1 June 2017.
63. "Games played by Sam Hornby in 2023/2024". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 1 June 2017.
64. "Games played by Sam Hornby in 2024/2025". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 1 June 2017.