From the Bay to the stars!

Last week former Herne Bay starlet Sam McCallum was announced as a new signing for Premier Division Norwich City, after moving from Coventry City. Sam came through Herne Bay Youth FC, and Steve Barton from the club got in touch to share his tribute.

Sam McCallum moved from Coventry City to Norwich City in a £3million deal.

At the age of 15 he feared his hopes of a career in football were over after he was dropped from Gillingham's academy but McCallum, a product of Herne Bay Youth FC, was determined and had been playing for Herne Bay Under 16s, Under 18s and Herne Bay Development before making his Herne Bay first team debut, as a substitute, at home to Margate, in the Kent Senior Cup on 13/09/2017. Attending Simon Langton Grammar School and as a regular for Kent Schoolboys he was selected for the England Schoolboys’ squad in January 2018. His Herne Bay league debut, again from the bench, came away at Hythe Town on 06/02/2018 and then his first start was at Ramsgate on 17/02/2018. He made his debut for England Schoolboys in the Centenary Shield against Northern Ireland at Luton Town FC on 10/03/2018 and was ever-present during the campaign earning many accolades. He was Herne Bay’s Man of the Match at home to Carshalton Athletic on 10/04/2018 and he scored his first Herne Bay goal, away at Corinthian-Casuals, 11 days later. His six appearances for Herne Bay were four starts and two as a substitute.

McCallum has always had his feet firmly on the ground and after attending the first ADFA (Anthony Deer Football Academy) Soccer School he followed this up by giving back to his roots as a referee for ADFA youth tournaments.

During the summer of 2018 he attended the Jamie Vardy V9 Academy at Manchester City’s training ground and attracted interest from several Premier League and Football League clubs. McCallum joined Coventry City in a three-year deal on Deadline Day in August 2018. At the time he was fourth choice left back and linked up with Coventry Under-23s. He made his debut against Cheltenham Town in the Checkatrade Trophy in November 2018, before making his football league debut against Southend United in December 2018. McCallum didn't have to wait long for his first start, as that came against AFC Wimbledon in January 2019. He made seven league and one cup appearance in his first season with the Sky Blues.

This campaign he has established himself in the first team set up, making 27 appearances in all competitions, scoring three times. Amidst rumours that Premier League leaders Liverpool were interested in his signature, on 31/01/2020 it was announced that he had signed for Premier League Norwich City but would be loaned back to Coventry City for the rest of the season.

Coventry City manager Mark Robins said: “Sam is a player with great ability and potential in the game, and there has been much interest in him this season. To us, it was unfortunately a case of ‘when’ not ‘if’ Sam would leave, such was the level and nature of the interest. We rejected an offer earlier this week for him, but Norwich have now made a substantial bid that we have accepted. As part of the deal, Sam will return on loan to us for the rest of the season and we look forward to continuing to work with him and have no doubt he will be an important and positive influence in the rest of the campaign.”

McCallum’s father, Jon Warden, said he realised his son had a special talent when he was aged just four. “Sam hit a half-volley right into my hands. I thought then that was very unusual. He struck it so well and his timing was spot on. We’re pinching ourselves because he’s always said he’s wanted to be a footballer and lo and behold he is one now. He’s realised that dream.” Warden, who was with Herne Bay for many seasons, as a player and coach, is himself a Wembley winner, having been in the Deal Town squad that won the FA Vase in 2000.

Words and images courtesy of Steve Barton, Herne Bay FC