Jlloyd Samuel
Encyclopedia
Jlloyd Samuel (born 29 March 1981) is a Trinidad
ian footballer who last played for Bolton Wanderers
as a defender
. He is a Trinidad and Tobago
international.
, Trinidad and Tobago
, Samuel attended St Joseph's Academy, Blackheath
through the 1990s where he was a valuable member of the school football teams as well as the London Schoolboys
teams. He spent his youth football at Charlton Athletic
, before signing a professional contract with Aston Villa. There was a dispute with Charlton concerning "poaching" of their youth system by Aston Villa and at the FA
tribunal which was set up in response to the charges, John Gregory was famously quoted as saying that he'd signed Samuel and did not expect him to play for the first team.
As a youth, Samuel supported Manchester United
and played for the Sunday league
team Senrab F.C.
and West Ham United
, and was released from the East London club on the same day as Paul Konchesky
, Lee Bowyer
, Bobby Zamora
(All three have since returned to the Hammers) and Fitz Hall
, now of QPR
.
Samuel's Aston Villa debut came after 51 minutes of a second-leg League Cup
match against Chester City F.C.
, on 21 September 1999 which finished 5–0 in Aston Villa's favour.
Since the beginning of his Aston Villa career, Samuel has also been on loan to Gillingham F.C.
, where he made seven full appearances and one substitute appearance between 25 October and 3 December 2001.
Though looking set for the 2002 European Under-21 Championships, Samuel picked up a groin injury which ensured his being out of action for a sustained period of time.
When Graham Taylor
took over the reins at Villa, Samuel became more assured of a place on the team, despite his nervousness on the pitch. His best season, however, was 2003–04
, as, under newly appointed Villa boss David O'Leary
, he rose to become one of the best left-backs in the Premier League
and was selected in the England
squad for the game against Sweden
, although his involvement only went as far as being an unused substitute. It was also during this season that he scored his first league goals for Villa. His first coming at home to Charlton, and then his second against the same team in the corresponding away tie. That season he also scored for Villa in their League Cup semi final defeat to Samuel's future club Bolton Wanderers
.
He claimed that he wanted to change back to represent Trinidad and Tobago in World Cup 2006, but the application rejected by FIFA.
However in 2004–05
, Samuel's place in the team was due to a severe lack of options in the squad rather than his own form as he soon began to look like the player he had been earlier on in his career, nervous and indecisive on the ball. Samuel lost his place in the team to Netherlands international defender Wilfred Bouma
, who signed from Dutch
side PSV Eindhoven at the start of the 2005–06
season, though throughout the few appearances Samuel did make during this season due to Bouma's severe lack of basic match fitness, he showed promise that he was gaining in confidence and game awareness once again.
During his appearance on MTV's Footballers Cribs, Samuel revealed that he calls himself 'Sweetboy' and calls his wife, Emma Pritchard, 'Sweetgirl'.
In March 2007, he hinted on his personal website that his time with Aston Villa could be about to come to an end due to lack of recent opportunities. Samuel had been a professional at Villa for the previous decade but the signing of Bouma and various injury problems limited his playing time over the last two years.
's first signing.
On 24 March 2011, Samuel joined Football League Championship
side Cardiff City
on loan until the end of the season wearing shirt number 21, as cover for the injured Mark Hudson
. He had not played a game for Wanderers' during the 2010-11 season due to injury and was released at the end of the season, bringing his four years at the club to an end.
, managed by his former Aston Villa teammate Simon Grayson
, on trial on 19 July 2011. He was included in the squad against Rochdale
the same evening. He came off the bench at the start of the second-half in a match Leeds won by a single first half goal from Max Gradel
. Samuel was released from the trial after picking up an injury. On 30 July 2011, Samuel played for 79 minutes on trial for West Ham United
in their final pre-season game against Real Zaragoza
which West Ham won 2–0.. However, West Ham decided against offering him a permanent contract and he is now back at Bolton for training whilst continuing his search for a new club.
and Bolton
defender Jlloyd Samuel had received their Trinidadian passports making them eligible to play for the national team. Samuel made his debut for the Soca Warriors in a 4–1 defeat to Honduras
on 6 September.
Samuel had previously received a call up for the England
team in the spring of 2004 whilst enjoying a spell of good form domestically at Aston Villa, but in the end he was not selected to play by then manager Sven Goran Eriksson and ultimately chose to play for the country of his birth.
Trinidad and Tobago
Trinidad and Tobago officially the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago is an archipelagic state in the southern Caribbean, lying just off the coast of northeastern Venezuela and south of Grenada in the Lesser Antilles...
ian footballer who last played for Bolton Wanderers
Bolton Wanderers F.C.
Bolton Wanderers Football Club is an English professional association football club based in the area of Horwich in the Metropolitan Borough of Bolton, Greater Manchester. They began their current spell in the Premier League in 2001....
as a defender
Defender (association football)
Within the sport of association football, a defender is an outfield player whose primary role is to prevent the opposition from attacking....
. He is a Trinidad and Tobago
Trinidad and Tobago national football team
The Trinidad and Tobago national football team, nicknamed The Soca Warriors, is the national team of Trinidad and Tobago and is run by the Trinidad and Tobago Football Federation. It reached the first round of the 2006 FIFA World Cup Finals...
international.
Aston Villa
Born in San FernandoSan Fernando, Trinidad and Tobago
The City of San Fernando with a population of 55,419 according to the 2000 census, is the larger of Trinidad and Tobago's two cities and the second largest municipality after Chaguanas. It occupies 18 km² and is located in the southwestern part of the island of Trinidad...
, Trinidad and Tobago
Trinidad and Tobago
Trinidad and Tobago officially the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago is an archipelagic state in the southern Caribbean, lying just off the coast of northeastern Venezuela and south of Grenada in the Lesser Antilles...
, Samuel attended St Joseph's Academy, Blackheath
St Joseph's Academy, Blackheath
St Josephs Academy was an all boys Roman Catholic academy located in Blackheath, London, United Kingdom.Saint Joseph’s Academy began life in 1860 as an extension of the work of the Brothers in Saint Joseph’s College, Clapham. Bishop Grant asked them to start a new school in Saint George’s parish,...
through the 1990s where he was a valuable member of the school football teams as well as the London Schoolboys
London Football Association
The London Football Association is the regional Football Association for Greater London. The London FA was established in 1882 and is affiliated to The Football Association...
teams. He spent his youth football at Charlton Athletic
Charlton Athletic F.C.
Charlton Athletic Football Club is an English professional football club based in Charlton, in the London Borough of Greenwich. They compete in Football League One, the third tier of English football. The club was founded on 9 June 1905, when a number of youth clubs in the southeast London area,...
, before signing a professional contract with Aston Villa. There was a dispute with Charlton concerning "poaching" of their youth system by Aston Villa and at the FA
The Football Association
The Football Association, also known as simply The FA, is the governing body of football in England, and the Crown Dependencies of Jersey, Guernsey and the Isle of Man. It was formed in 1863, and is the oldest national football association...
tribunal which was set up in response to the charges, John Gregory was famously quoted as saying that he'd signed Samuel and did not expect him to play for the first team.
As a youth, Samuel supported Manchester United
Manchester United F.C.
Manchester United Football Club is an English professional football club, based in Old Trafford, Greater Manchester, that plays in the Premier League. Founded as Newton Heath LYR Football Club in 1878, the club changed its name to Manchester United in 1902 and moved to Old Trafford in 1910.The 1958...
and played for the Sunday league
Sunday league football
Sunday league football is a term used in the United Kingdom to describe those association football leagues which play on Sunday, as opposed to the more usual Saturday. These leagues tend to be lower standard amateur competitions, whose players may have less ability, or less time to devote to...
team Senrab F.C.
Senrab F.C.
Senrab F.C. is a Sunday League football team, based at Wanstead Flats in the Forest Gate district of London, England.- Operation :Senrab operates fifteen teams for age groups ranging from 5 to 17 years old, and the club has produced a great number of players who have gone on to have successful...
and West Ham United
West Ham United F.C.
West Ham United Football Club is an English professional football club based in Upton Park, Newham, East London. They play in The Football League Championship. The club was founded in 1895 as Thames Ironworks FC and reformed in 1900 as West Ham United. In 1904 the club relocated to their current...
, and was released from the East London club on the same day as Paul Konchesky
Paul Konchesky
Paul Martyn Konchesky is an English footballer who plays as a left back. Currently signed to Leicester City, he has previously played for Charlton, Tottenham, West Ham, Fulham, Liverpool and Nottingham Forest, joining his present club in July 2011...
, Lee Bowyer
Lee Bowyer
Lee David Bowyer is an English professional footballer born in Canning Town, London, who plays as a midfielder for Ipswich Town of the Football League Championship....
, Bobby Zamora
Bobby Zamora
Robert Lester "Bobby" Zamora is an English footballer who plays for Fulham and the England national football team. Zamora began his career at Football League club Bristol Rovers, but was soon signed by Brighton & Hove Albion, where he found first team success...
(All three have since returned to the Hammers) and Fitz Hall
Fitz Hall
Fitz Benjamin Hall is an English footballer who plays for Queens Park Rangers. He is a central defender who can also play as a central midfielder. His nickname is "One Size" Fitz Hall, a pun on the phrase "one size fits all"...
, now of QPR
Queens Park Rangers F.C.
Queens Park Rangers Football Club is an English professional football club, based in White City, Hammersmith and Fulham, west London. As the 2010-11 Football League Championship champions, they now play in the top tier of English football the Premier League, for the first time in 15 years...
.
Samuel's Aston Villa debut came after 51 minutes of a second-leg League Cup
Football League Cup
The Football League Cup, commonly known as the League Cup or, from current sponsorship, the Carling Cup, is an English association football competition. Like the FA Cup, it is played on a knockout basis...
match against Chester City F.C.
Chester City F.C.
Chester City Football Club was an English football team from Chester. The club was founded as Chester F.C., and joined the Football League in 1931, spending most of their time in the lower divisions. They changed their name to Chester City in 1983. Chester won their first league title in 2004, the...
, on 21 September 1999 which finished 5–0 in Aston Villa's favour.
Since the beginning of his Aston Villa career, Samuel has also been on loan to Gillingham F.C.
Gillingham F.C.
Gillingham Football Club is an English professional football club based in the town of Gillingham, Kent. The only Kent-based club in the Football League, they play their home matches at the Priestfield Stadium...
, where he made seven full appearances and one substitute appearance between 25 October and 3 December 2001.
Though looking set for the 2002 European Under-21 Championships, Samuel picked up a groin injury which ensured his being out of action for a sustained period of time.
When Graham Taylor
Graham Taylor (football manager)
Graham Taylor OBE is a football pundit, ex-football manager, and a former player. He is best known as the manager of the England national football team, as well as being manager of Watford, a club he took from the Fourth Division to the First in the space of five years, then from bottom of the...
took over the reins at Villa, Samuel became more assured of a place on the team, despite his nervousness on the pitch. His best season, however, was 2003–04
2003-04 in English football
The 2003-04 season was the 124th season of competitive football in England.-Overview:Arsenal completed the entire campaign without losing a single league game....
, as, under newly appointed Villa boss David O'Leary
David O'Leary
David Anthony O'Leary is an Irish football manager and former player. His managerial career began at Leeds United and later he managed Aston Villa. He most recently worked as the manager of Al-Ahli Dubai...
, he rose to become one of the best left-backs in the Premier League
FA Premier League
The Premier League is an English professional league for association football clubs. At the top of the English football league system, it is the country's primary football competition. Contested by 20 clubs, it operates on a system of promotion and relegation with The Football League. The Premier...
and was selected in the England
England national football team
The England national football team represents England in association football and is controlled by the Football Association, the governing body for football in England. England is the joint oldest national football team in the world, alongside Scotland, whom they played in the world's first...
squad for the game against Sweden
Sweden national football team
The Swedish national football team represents Sweden in association football and is controlled by the Swedish Football Association, the governing body for Football in Sweden. Sweden's home ground is Råsunda Stadium in Stockholms län and their head coach is Erik Hamrén. Sweden made their first...
, although his involvement only went as far as being an unused substitute. It was also during this season that he scored his first league goals for Villa. His first coming at home to Charlton, and then his second against the same team in the corresponding away tie. That season he also scored for Villa in their League Cup semi final defeat to Samuel's future club Bolton Wanderers
Bolton Wanderers F.C.
Bolton Wanderers Football Club is an English professional association football club based in the area of Horwich in the Metropolitan Borough of Bolton, Greater Manchester. They began their current spell in the Premier League in 2001....
.
He claimed that he wanted to change back to represent Trinidad and Tobago in World Cup 2006, but the application rejected by FIFA.
However in 2004–05
2004-05 in English football
The 2004–05 season was the 125th season of competitive football in England.-Overview:*2004–05 was the first season to feature the rebranded Football League. The First Division, Second Division and Third Division were renamed the Football League Championship, Football League One and Football League...
, Samuel's place in the team was due to a severe lack of options in the squad rather than his own form as he soon began to look like the player he had been earlier on in his career, nervous and indecisive on the ball. Samuel lost his place in the team to Netherlands international defender Wilfred Bouma
Wilfred Bouma
Wilfred Bouma is a Dutch footballer who plays for PSV Eindhoven. Bouma is a technically refined left back/centre back who is known for his hard working nature, defensive positioning and tackling ability.-Early career:...
, who signed from Dutch
Netherlands
The Netherlands is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, located mainly in North-West Europe and with several islands in the Caribbean. Mainland Netherlands borders the North Sea to the north and west, Belgium to the south, and Germany to the east, and shares maritime borders...
side PSV Eindhoven at the start of the 2005–06
2005-06 in English football
The 2005–06 season was the 126th season of competitive football in England.-Overview:*The rebuilt Wembley Stadium was due to open in time for the FA Cup final in May. However, in August 2005, The Football Association reserved the Millennium Stadium as a backup, as there was some doubt whether...
season, though throughout the few appearances Samuel did make during this season due to Bouma's severe lack of basic match fitness, he showed promise that he was gaining in confidence and game awareness once again.
During his appearance on MTV's Footballers Cribs, Samuel revealed that he calls himself 'Sweetboy' and calls his wife, Emma Pritchard, 'Sweetgirl'.
In March 2007, he hinted on his personal website that his time with Aston Villa could be about to come to an end due to lack of recent opportunities. Samuel had been a professional at Villa for the previous decade but the signing of Bouma and various injury problems limited his playing time over the last two years.
Bolton Wanderers
He signed a four-year contract with Bolton Wanderers on 1 July 2007. He was former Wanderers' boss, Sammy LeeSammy Lee (footballer)
Samuel "Sammy" Lee is an English football coach and former player. He played most of his career for hometown club Liverpool during the 1970s and 1980s as a midfielder, and also represented England fourteen times....
's first signing.
On 24 March 2011, Samuel joined Football League Championship
Football League Championship
The Football League Championship is the highest division of The Football League and second-highest division overall in the English football league system after the Premier League...
side Cardiff City
Cardiff City F.C.
Cardiff City Football Club are a Welsh professional football club based in Cardiff, Wales. The club competes in the English football pyramid and is currently playing in the Football League Championship. Cardiff City is the best supported football club in Wales, averaging approximately 22,500 for...
on loan until the end of the season wearing shirt number 21, as cover for the injured Mark Hudson
Mark Hudson (footballer born 1982)
Mark Alexander Hudson is an English footballer who is the current club captain of Football League Championship side Cardiff City. He plays as a centre half.-Career:...
. He had not played a game for Wanderers' during the 2010-11 season due to injury and was released at the end of the season, bringing his four years at the club to an end.
Searching for a club
Samuel joined Leeds UnitedLeeds United A.F.C.
Leeds United Association Football Club are an English professional association football club based in Beeston, Leeds, West Yorkshire, who play in the Football League Championship, the second tier of the English football league system...
, managed by his former Aston Villa teammate Simon Grayson
Simon Grayson
Simon Nicholas Grayson is a retired English footballer and current manager of Leeds United. He is the elder brother of cricketer Paul Grayson....
, on trial on 19 July 2011. He was included in the squad against Rochdale
Rochdale A.F.C.
Rochdale Association Football Club is an English professional football club based in Rochdale, Greater Manchester. They play their home matches at Spotland Stadium. Formed in 1907, they were accepted into the Football League in 1921...
the same evening. He came off the bench at the start of the second-half in a match Leeds won by a single first half goal from Max Gradel
Max Gradel
Max-Alain Gradel is an Ivorian footballer who plays for Saint-Étienne in the French Ligue 1 after joining from Leeds United....
. Samuel was released from the trial after picking up an injury. On 30 July 2011, Samuel played for 79 minutes on trial for West Ham United
West Ham United F.C.
West Ham United Football Club is an English professional football club based in Upton Park, Newham, East London. They play in The Football League Championship. The club was founded in 1895 as Thames Ironworks FC and reformed in 1900 as West Ham United. In 1904 the club relocated to their current...
in their final pre-season game against Real Zaragoza
Real Zaragoza
Real Zaragoza, S.A.D. is a Spanish association football team from Zaragoza in Spain. Founded on 18 March 1932, Real Zaragoza have spent the majority of their 78 year history in the Spanish top-flight. Real Zaragoza are Spain's 9th highest ranked team in overall league points...
which West Ham won 2–0.. However, West Ham decided against offering him a permanent contract and he is now back at Bolton for training whilst continuing his search for a new club.
International career
On 7 August 2009, it was revealed that Bobby ZamoraBobby Zamora
Robert Lester "Bobby" Zamora is an English footballer who plays for Fulham and the England national football team. Zamora began his career at Football League club Bristol Rovers, but was soon signed by Brighton & Hove Albion, where he found first team success...
and Bolton
Bolton Wanderers F.C.
Bolton Wanderers Football Club is an English professional association football club based in the area of Horwich in the Metropolitan Borough of Bolton, Greater Manchester. They began their current spell in the Premier League in 2001....
defender Jlloyd Samuel had received their Trinidadian passports making them eligible to play for the national team. Samuel made his debut for the Soca Warriors in a 4–1 defeat to Honduras
Honduras national football team
The Honduran national football team, nicknamed Los Catrachos, La Bicolor or La H, is the national team of Honduras and is controlled by the Federación Nacional Autónoma de Fútbol de Honduras...
on 6 September.
Samuel had previously received a call up for the England
England national football team
The England national football team represents England in association football and is controlled by the Football Association, the governing body for football in England. England is the joint oldest national football team in the world, alongside Scotland, whom they played in the world's first...
team in the spring of 2004 whilst enjoying a spell of good form domestically at Aston Villa, but in the end he was not selected to play by then manager Sven Goran Eriksson and ultimately chose to play for the country of his birth.
External links
- Jlloyd Samuel Official Website at officialplayerwebsites.com