Sam Long (footballer, born 2002)

Sam Long

Personal information
Full name	Samuel James Long [1]
Date of birth	(2002-11-12) 12 November 2002 (age 21)
Place of birth	Redbridge, London, England
Position(s)	Goalkeeper
Team information
Current team	Falkirk (on loan from Lincoln City)
Number	1
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
2020–	Lincoln City	1	(0)
2021	→ Gainsborough Trinity (loan)	1	(0)
2022	→ Drogheda United (loan)	15	(0)
2022–2023	→ Boston United (loan)	23	(0)
2023	→ Bromley (loan)	1	(0)
2023–	→ Falkirk (loan)	19	(0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 20:22, 30 March 2024 (UTC)

Samuel James Long (born 12 November 2002) is a Scottish professional footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for Falkirk on loan from Lincoln City.

Club career

Lincoln City

Born in Redbridge, London, England, Long began his football career at Crystal Palace, but he was released after being "told that he was too small". ^{[2] [3] [4]} Following his release, Long had an unsuccessful trials after leaving Crystal Palace. ^[2] Afterwards, he played for schools’ football and Sunday league. ^[2] After playing for the school's final, Long was scouted by Lincoln City and were impressed by his performance that they signed him. ^[2]

While progressing through the Lincoln City's youth team, Long was named in ‘The 11’ by League Football Education, due to his "real commitment to his development, conducts himself impeccably at all times and is progressing in all areas of his apprenticeship". ^[3] He signed his first professional contract on 1 October 2020. ^[5] Throughout the 2020–21 season, Long was regularly featured on the substitute bench. ^{[4] [6]} He would make his Lincoln City debut against Manchester United U21 in the EFL Trophy on 24 August 2021, winning 3–2. ^{[7] [4]} Long made two more appearances in the EFL Trophy matches, coming against Bradford City and Sunderland. ^[8] On 30 December 2021, he signed a new long-term contract until June 2025. ^[9] Long made his league debut on 22 January 2022, against Plymouth Argyle following an injury to regular number one, Josh Griffiths. ^[10]

Loan spells from Lincoln City

On 21 October 2021, Long would join Gainsborough Trinity on loan until January 2022. ^[11] He made his debut for the club against Coalville Town on 30 October 2021 and kept a clean sheet, in a 3–0 win. ^[12] However, his loan was cut short on 6 November 2021 and would return to play for his parent club in the FA Cup. ^[13]

On 26 January 2022, Long would join Drogheda United on loan for their upcoming 2022 season. ^[14] He made his debut for the club, starting the whole game, in a 3–0 loss against Sligo Rovers on 11 March 2022. ^[15] Since joining Drogheda United, Long became a first-choice goalkeeper for the side. ^[16] During in which, he was able to keep three clean sheets following 15 appearances for the club. ^[17] Long would return from his loan spell on 16 June 2022. ^[18]

On 20 July 2022, Long joined Boston United on loan. ^[19] He made his debut for the club, starting the whole game, in 2–0 loss against Gloucester City on 13 August 2022. ^[20] Since joining Boston United, Long became a first choice goalkeeper for the club. ^[21] However, he was recalled from his season loan on 13 January 2023. ^[22]

On 31 January 2023, Long was sent on loan again, this time to Bromley. ^[23] He made his debut for the club, starting the whole game, in a 2–1 loss against Wrexham on 18 March 2023. ^[24] However, he was recalled on 25 March 2023 having played just one game for Bromley. ^[25]

On 22 June 2023, Long joined Falkirk on loan for the 2023–24 season. ^[26] However, he suffered an injury during the club's pre-season friendly tour. ^[27] Long made his debut for Falkirk, starting the whole game, in a 2–1 win against The Spartans in the Scottish League Cup. ^[28] In a follow-up Scottish League Cup match against Partick Thistle, he saved three penalty–shootout to win 7–6 on penalties after the game was played 120 minutes in a 2–2 draw. ^[29] Since joining the club, Long competed with Nicky Hogarth over the first choice goalkeeper role and the rotation saw both players either start in goal for the match and placed on the substitute bench. ^[30] He captained Falkirk for the first time against Alloa Athletic on 26 August 2023 and helped the club win 4–1. ^[31] By the end of the first half of the season, both keepers' contributions saw Falkirk conceded eleven goals so far in the league. ^[32] On 30 March 2024, Long was the starting goalkeeper for the match against Montrose when he helped the club win 7–1 to confirm the Bairns as the Scottish League One's champion. ^[33]

International career

Long was called up to the England Men's Goalkeeping Development Camp at St George's Park in April 2021. ^[34] On 18 March 2022, he was called up to the Scotland U21 side. ^[35]

Career statistics

As of 30 March 2024

Club	Season	League			National Cup		League Cup		Other		Total
		Division	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals
Lincoln City	2021–22 [36]	League One	1	0	2	0	0	0	3 [lower-alpha 1]	0	6	0
	2022–23 [37]	League One	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
	2023–24 [38]	League One	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
	Total		1	0	2	0	0	0	3	0	6	0
Gainsborough Trinity (loan)	2021–22 [39]	Northern Premier League	1	0	0	0	0	0	1 [lower-alpha 2]	0	2	0
Drogheda United (loan)	2022 [36]	League of Ireland Premier Division	15	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	15	0
Boston United (loan)	2022–23	National League North	23	0	0	0	0	0	3 [lower-alpha 2]	0	27	0
Bromley (loan)	2022–23 [37]	National League	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	0
Falkirk (loan)	2023–24 [38]	Scottish League One	19	0	1	0	4	0	1 [lower-alpha 3]	0	25	0
Career total			60	0	3	0	4	0	5	0	76	0

1. Appearance(s) in Football League Trophy
2. Appearance(s) in FA Trophy
3. Appearance(s) in Scottish Challenge Cup

Honours

Falkirk

• Scottish League One: 2023-24

References

1. "Notification of shirt numbers: Lincoln City" (PDF). English Football League. p. 38. Retrieved 22 September 2020.
2. Hutchinson, Gary, "An Interview With Sam Long", Lincoln City F.C. official matchday programme
   "'No regrets' – Sam Long talks early rejection and his career so far". Stacy West. 19 January 2021. Retrieved 24 April 2024.
3. "Academy 'keeper in 'The 11'". Lincoln City F.C. 19 March 2020. Archived from the original on 7 August 2020. Retrieved 24 April 2024.
4. "Lincoln City goalkeeper Sam Long opens up about key moment in fledgling career". Lincolnshire Live. 6 September 2021. Retrieved 24 April 2024.
5. "Sam Long signs professional terms with The Imps". Lincoln City F.C. 1 October 2020. Archived from the original on 20 October 2020. Retrieved 1 October 2020.
6. "Michael Appleton hails Lincoln City youngster as he explains goalkeeper situation". Lincolnshire Live. 21 December 2020. Retrieved 24 April 2024.
   "Lincoln City set to sign West Brom keeper after Cowley competition and Premier League interest". Lincolnshire Live. 7 June 2021. Retrieved 24 April 2024.
   "What Lincoln City goalkeeper search means for promising youngster". Lincolnshire Live. 20 June 2021. Retrieved 24 April 2024.
7. "Sam Long handed Lincoln City debut for Manchester United U21s clash". Lincolnshire Live. Retrieved 24 August 2021.
8. "Bradford City 0 Imps 3". Lincoln City F.C. 31 August 2021. Archived from the original on 1 September 2021. Retrieved 24 April 2024.
   "Imps 1 Sunderland 2". Lincoln City F.C. 5 October 2021. Archived from the original on 5 November 2021. Retrieved 24 April 2024.
9. "Sam commits future to Imps". Lincoln City F.C. 30 December 2021. Archived from the original on 30 December 2021. Retrieved 30 December 2021.
10. "Lincoln City suffer triple injury setback ahead of Plymouth clash". LincolnshireLive. Retrieved 24 January 2022.
11. "Cutting a Long Story Short: Sam Arrives". Gainsborough Trinity FC. Archived from the original on 6 December 2021. Retrieved 21 October 2021.
12. "GAINSBOROUGH TRINITY 3 COALVILLE TOWN 0". Gainsborough Trinity F.C. 30 October 2021. Archived from the original on 30 October 2021. Retrieved 24 April 2024.
13. "Sam Long recalled from loan at Gainsborough Trinity". Lincoln City .FC. Archived from the original on 6 November 2021. Retrieved 6 November 2021.
14. "Imps duo join Drogheda on loan". Lincoln City FC. 26 January 2022. Archived from the original on 26 January 2022. Retrieved 26 January 2022.
15. "Drogheda take the bragging rights in Louth derby". Extra Time. 11 March 2022. Retrieved 24 April 2024.
16. "Ryan Brennan rescues point for Drogheda at Ballybofey". The Irish Examiner. 4 April 2022. Retrieved 24 April 2024.
    "Drogheda snatch a draw late on against Bohs". The Irish Examiner. 8 April 2022. Retrieved 24 April 2024.
    "Bohs have to settle for a point after late Drogheda equaliser". The Irish Examiner. 27 May 2022. Retrieved 24 April 2024.
17. "Drogheda take the bragging rights in Louth derby". The Irish Examiner. 18 March 2022. Retrieved 24 April 2024.
    "Drogs move up a gear to stretch unbeaten run to five". The Irish Examiner. 15 April 2022. Retrieved 24 April 2024.
    "Brennan returns to haunt Rovers as Drogheda shock table toppers". The Irish Examiner. 23 May 2022. Retrieved 24 April 2024.
18. "Long and Roughan return to Lincoln". Drogheda United FC. Retrieved 16 June 2022.
19. "Long joins Boston United on loan". Lincoln City F.C. 20 July 2022. Archived from the original on 20 July 2022. Retrieved 20 July 2022.
20. "GLOUCESTER CITY 2-0 BOSTON UNITED". Boston United F.C. 13 August 2022. Archived from the original on 15 August 2022. Retrieved 24 April 2024.
21. "Boston United ease to victory as new boss Ian Culverhouse makes a winning start". Lincolnshire World. 14 September 2022. Retrieved 24 April 2024.
    "Boston United boss Ian Culverhouse wants his players to improve game management after FA Trophy exit at Tamworth". Lincolnshire World. 20 November 2022. Retrieved 24 April 2024.
    "Boston United coach says Pilgrims must cut out costly individual errors". Lincolnshire World. 7 January 2023. Retrieved 24 April 2024.
22. "Long recalled to the Imps". Lincoln City FC. Archived from the original on 13 January 2023. Retrieved 13 January 2023.
23. "Long goes out on loan". Lincoln City F.C. 31 January 2023. Archived from the original on 31 January 2023. Retrieved 31 January 2023.
24. "Bromley 1-2 Wrexham". BBC Sport. 18 March 2023. Retrieved 24 April 2024.
25. "Sam Long recalled by Lincoln City". Lincoln City F.C. 25 March 2023. Archived from the original on 25 March 2023. Retrieved 25 March 2023.
26. "Long joins Falkirk on loan". Lincoln City F.C. 22 June 2023. Archived from the original on 22 June 2023. Retrieved 22 June 2023.
27. "John McGlynn on Owen Haywood's shock debut, great goals and 'different class' duo Brad Spencer and Gary Oliver in Bairns friendly win". The Falkirk Herald. 5 July 2023. Retrieved 24 April 2024.
28. "The Spartans 1-2 Falkirk: Bairns off to a winning start in Viaplay Cup after late Ross MacIver winner". The Falkirk Herald. 18 July 2023. Retrieved 24 April 2024.
29. "Falkirk 2-2 Partick Thistle: Ten-man Bairns battle to earn a bonus point in Firhill Viaplay Cup classic". The Falkirk Herald. 22 July 2023. Retrieved 24 April 2024.
30. "Falkirk FC: Goalkeeper Sam Long says he and the rest of the squad are desperate to secure promotion this season". The Falkirk Herald. 28 July 2023. Retrieved 24 April 2024.
    "Nicky Hogarth: Battle with Sam Long for Falkirk number one spot is making me a better player". The Falkirk Herald. 26 October 2023. Retrieved 24 April 2024.
    "3 Falkirk talking points as Aidan Nesbitt marks 100th appearance with a goal in Edinburgh City win". The Falkirk Herald. 11 November 2023. Retrieved 24 April 2024.
    "Sam Long on wanting to achieve 'special' title win with Falkirk and blocking outside noise". The Falkirk Herald. 10 March 2024. Retrieved 24 April 2024.
31. "Alloa Athletic 1-4 Falkirk: Bairns put on a show for the live television cameras". The Falkirk Herald. 26 August 2023. Retrieved 24 April 2024.
32. "Nicky Hogarth: Our excellent defensive record is down to full Falkirk team's 'relentless' nature". The Falkirk Herald. 4 February 2024. Retrieved 24 April 2024.
33. "Montrose 1–7 Falkirk". BBC Sport. 30 March 2024. Retrieved 24 April 2024.
34. "Sam Long Called up to England Development Camp". Lincoln City F.C. Archived from the original on 13 April 2021. Retrieved 3 April 2021.
35. "Sam Long receives first international call-up for Scotland U21s". Lincoln City F.C. Archived from the original on 25 May 2022. Retrieved 18 March 2022.
36. "Games played by Sam Long in 2021/2022". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 30 August 2021.
37. "Games played by Sam Long in 2022/2023". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 30 August 2021.
38. "Games played by Sam Long in 2023/2024". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 30 August 2021.
39. "Gainsborough Trinity – Appearances – Sam Long" . Retrieved 7 April 2022.