User:Sreilly84/Sam Foley

Sam Foley ...

Sam Foley (born 17 October 1986) is an Irish professional footballer who plays for Newport County.

Sam was brought up in Worcestershire to Irish parents and holds dual nationality to Ireland and Great Britain. Growing up he excelled in several sports, playing county cricket and rugby. He remained at college until the age of 17 when he left college mid way through his A-levels to follow his dream and become a professional footballer.

Sam joined Cheltenham Town youth team as a trainee and during the same season was selected to represent the Repbulic of Ireland at Under 18 level. Sam graduated through from the academy in 2007 and was rewarded with a 2 year professional contract.

In 2008 Sam moved to Kidderminster Harriers but was sent out on loan to Redditch United and then Newport County.

After impressing manager Dean Holdsworth during his loan spell, Sam was offered a three-year contract with County. In his first full season, Newport County were crowned Conference South champions with a record 103 points. Sam scored both goals in a 2–0 win over Havant & Waterlooville to secure promotion for Newport County to the Conference National league. In December 2010 Newport County were named BBC Wales Team of the Year at the city's Celtic Manor Resort.

In both the 2008–09 and 2009–10 seasons, Sam won the award for goal of season at the club's annual awards dinner.

After scoring 3 goals and captaining Newport County to a semi-final place in the FA Trophy, Sam was voted Blue Square Premier player of the month for February 2012.