Craig Samson
{{Short description|Scottish footballer (born 1984)}}
{{Use British English|date=October 2017}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2017}}
{{Infobox football biography
| name = Craig Samson
| image = Samson 071110.jpg
| image_size = 300
| caption = Samson playing for St Mirren
| fullname = Craig Ian Samson{{Cite book
| title = The Bell's Scottish Football Review 2005.06
| year = 2005
| publisher = Cre8 Publishing
| isbn = 978-0-95485-561-1
| page = 20 }}
| height =
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|df=y|1984|4|1}}
| birth_place = Irvine, Scotland
| currentclub = Hibernian (Goalkeeping Coach)
| clubnumber =
| position = Goalkeeper
| youthyears1=
| youthclubs1=
| years1 = 2001–2005
| years2 = 2004
| years3 = 2004
| years4 = 2005
| years5 = 2005–2006
| years6 = 2006–2007
| years7 = 2007–2008
| years8 = 2008–2009
| years9 = 2009–2010
| years10 = 2010–2013
| years11 = 2013–2015
| years12 = 2015–2017
| years13 = 2017–2018
| years14 = 2020–2021
| years15 = 2022–2024
| clubs1 = Kilmarnock
| clubs2 = → Queen of the South (loan)
| clubs3 = → Queen of the South (loan)
| clubs4 = → St Johnstone (loan)
| clubs5 = Dundee United
| clubs6 = Ross County
| clubs7 = Dundee
| clubs8 = Hereford United
| clubs9 = Ayr United
| clubs10 = St Mirren
| clubs11 = Kilmarnock
| clubs12 = Motherwell
| clubs13 = St Mirren
| clubs14 = Hibernian
| clubs15 = Aberdeen
| caps1 = 1 | goals1 = 0
| caps2 = 12 | goals2 = 0
| caps3 = 0 | goals3 = 0
| caps4 = 12 | goals4 = 0
| caps5 = 8 | goals5 = 0
| caps6 = 29 | goals6 = 0
| caps7 = 31 | goals7 = 0
| caps8 = 11 | goals8 = 0
| caps9 = 32 | goals9 = 0
| caps10 = 87 | goals10 = 0
| caps11 = 73 | goals11 = 0
| caps12 = 36 | goals12 = 0
| caps13 = 49 | goals13 = 0
| caps14 = 0 | goals14 = 0
| caps15 = 0 | goals15 = 0
| nationalyears1 = 2004–2005
| nationalteam1 = Scotland U21
| nationalcaps1 = 6 | nationalgoals1 = 0
}}
Craig Ian Samson (born 1 April 1984[https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/kilmarnock-keeper-craig-samson-new-2314227 Kilmarnock keeper Craig Samson: I got a new perspective on life after visiting tragic fan in hospice] Retrieved 10 Mat 2023.) is a Scottish football coach and a former player who is currently goalkeeping coach with Hibernian. Samson is a former Scotland under-21 internationalist, having made six appearances between 2004 and 2005.
He began his playing career with Kilmarnock, but made only one league appearance and spent time on loan to Queen of the South and St Johnstone before leaving the club in 2005. He then spent a season each with Dundee United, Ross County, Dundee, Hereford United and Ayr United. In 2010, Samson joined St Mirren, where he played for three years and won the Scottish League Cup in 2013. He rejoined his first club, Kilmarnock, in May 2013. Samson left Kilmarnock in August 2015 and subsequently signed for Motherwell.
After a second spell with St Mirren, Samson retired as a player to become goalkeeping coach at Sunderland. He has since held similar positions with Rochdale, Hibernian and Aberdeen.
Playing career
=Early career=
Samson began his career with Kilmarnock and made his senior debut on 3 January 2004, in a Scottish Premier League match away to Aberdeen.{{Cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/scot_prem/3363393.stm|title=Aberdeen 3-1 Kilmarnock|date=3 January 2004|access-date=31 October 2021|website=BBC News}} That turned out to be his only appearance for the club.
In February 2004, 19 year old Samson moved to Queen of the South on loan{{cite web|title=Duffy leaves Sons|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/scot_div_1/3508819.stm|publisher=BBC Sport|date=21 February 2004|access-date=27 July 2016}} and ahead of the 2004–05 season, joined the club on loan again, however he was recalled early by Kilmarnock having only played one match.{{cite news|title=Keeper Samson returns to Killie|date=8 July 2004 |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/k/kilmarnock/3876271.stm|publisher=BBC Sport|access-date=27 July 2016}} On 1 January 2005, he went out on loan again, this time to St Johnstone.{{cite web|title=Killie's Dillon to Morton on loan|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/k/kilmarnock/4136251.stm|publisher=BBC Sport|date=1 January 2005|access-date=27 July 2016}}
In July 2005, after turning down a new contract at Kilmarnock, Samson signed for Dundee United.{{cite web|title=Samson wins a Tannadice contract|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/d/dundee_utd/4665701.stm|publisher=BBC Sport|date=29 July 2005}}
On 1 June 2006, Samson joined Ross County{{cite web|title=Ross County make double signing|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/r/ross_county/5038588.stm|publisher=BBC Sport|date=1 June 2006|access-date=13 November 2013}} On 12 November 2006, Ross County beat Clyde 5–4 on penalties, following a 1–1 draw, with Samson saving penalties from Neil McGregor and Chris Higgins during the shoot-out.{{cite web|title=Ross County 1–1 Clyde (aet)|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/scot_cups/6137982.stm|publisher=BBC Sport|date=12 November 2005|access-date=27 July 2016}}
After spending a season with Dundee, Samson moved to England, signing for Hereford in July 2008.{{cite web|title=Bulls snap up keeper|url=http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11791/3853217/bulls-snap-up-keeper|publisher=Sky Sports|date=22 July 2008|access-date=13 November 2013}} Samson left the English club by "mutual consent" in April 2009.{{cite web|title=Samson exits Bulls|url=http://www.skysports.com/football/news/11719/5187640/samson-exits-bulls|publisher=Sky Sports|date=14 April 2009|access-date=27 July 2016}}
On 7 July 2009, Samson signed for newly promoted Scottish Division One club Ayr United.{{cite web|title=Ayr United snap up ex-Killie keeper Craig Samson|url=http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/football/ayr-united-snap-up-ex-killie-1030381#pkU8V69FB4cVHd8J.97|work=Daily Record|date=8 July 2009|access-date=27 July 2016}}
=St Mirren=
On 13 July 2010, Samson signed for Scottish Premier League side St Mirren.{{cite web|title=St Mirren sign Craig Samson as Mark Howard replacement|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/s/st_mirren/8812124.stm|publisher=BBC Sport|date=13 July 2010|access-date=13 November 2013}} After the departure of goalkeeper Paul Gallacher, Samson was made first choice goalkeeper for St Mirren for the 2011–12 season. Samson soon became a fans favourite for his willingness to dribble the ball out of his goal and for his incredible flying saves, after seven early season shut-outs, Samson's form was rewarded with a full international call up on 6 November 2011.
At the end of season 2011–12, Samson had two of his saves nominated for 'SPL Save of the Season', one being a stunning reflex to stop Sone Aluko. Outside the Old Firm, Samson and Motherwell 'keeper Darren Randolph kept the most clean sheets in the division, despite St Mirren finishing 8th in the table. On 17 March 2013, Samson played as St Mirren beat Hearts 3–2 to win the League Cup.{{cite web|title=St Mirren 3–2 Hearts|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/21732267|publisher=BBC Sport|last=Murray|first=Keir|date=17 March 2013|access-date=27 July 2016}}
=Kilmarnock=
After rejecting a new contract offer by St Mirren, 29-year-old Samson signed a two-year deal with Kilmarnock.{{cite web|title=Kilmarnock return is best option for goalkeeper Craig Samson|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/22584272|publisher=BBC Sport|last=Lindsay|first=Clive|date=19 May 2013}} On 6 August 2015, Samson left Kilmarnock, agreeing a release from his contract having lost his first team place to new signing Jamie MacDonald.{{cite web|title=Kilmarnock and Craig Samson agree to part ways|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/33807546|publisher=BBC Sport|date=6 August 2015|access-date=9 August 2015}}
=Motherwell=
In September 2015, Samson signed a contract with Motherwell.{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/34257482 |title=Motherwell sign up goalkeeper Craig Samson |publisher=BBC Sport |date=15 September 2015 |access-date=15 September 2015}} He made his debut on 23 April 2016, in a 1–0 win against Hearts.{{cite web|title=Motherwell 1–0 Heart of Midlothian|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/36061054|publisher=BBC Sport|last=McLaughlin|first=Chris|date=23 April 2016|access-date=27 July 2016}} On 26 May 2016, he signed a new one-year contract with the club.{{cite web|title=Trio agree contract extensions|url=http://www.motherwellfc.co.uk/2016/05/26/trio-agree-contract-extensions/|publisher=Motherwell F.C.|date=26 May 2016|access-date=27 July 2016}} He was released by the club in May 2017, at the end of his contract.{{cite web|title=Motherwell: Eight first-team players to exit Fir Park this summer|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/40001336|publisher=BBC Sport|date=22 May 2017|access-date=1 June 2017}}
=St Mirren return=
After four years away from St Mirren, Samson rejoined the club on 7 June 2017, signing a two-year deal.{{cite web |url=https://www.stmirren.com/news/club/all-news/920-new-signing-craig-samson |title=New signing: Craig Samson |publisher=St Mirren FC |date=7 June 2017 |access-date=7 June 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180506035434/https://www.stmirren.com/news/club/all-news/920-new-signing-craig-samson |archive-date=6 May 2018 |url-status=dead }} Samson played every league match as Saints won the Scottish Championship title, and also broke a club record by keeping eight consecutive clean sheets in home league matches.{{cite web |url=https://www.stmirren.com/news/club/all-news/1857-craig-samson-agrees-new-contract |title=Craig Samson agrees new contract |publisher=St Mirren FC |date=4 May 2018 |access-date=5 May 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180506103804/https://www.stmirren.com/news/club/all-news/1857-craig-samson-agrees-new-contract |archive-date=6 May 2018 |url-status=dead }} Samson then signed an extension to his contract in May 2018, which was due to keep him at the club until the summer of 2020. Despite playing regularly for St Mirren during the 2018–19 season, Samson opted to retire from playing in November 2018 when he was offered a coaching position at Sunderland.
International career
Having previously played for the Scotland under-21 side, Samson was called into the full Scotland squad in November 2011{{cite web|title=Scots lose six for Cyprus|url=http://www.skysports.com/football/news/12010/7296392/scots-lose-six-for-cyprus|publisher=Sky Sports|last=O'Rourke|first=Pete|date=6 November 2011|access-date=27 July 2016}} and was also named in squads during 2012{{cite web|title=Craig Samson called into Scotland squad with doubts over two goalkeepers|url=http://stv.tv/sport/football/189474-craig-samson-called-into-scotland-squad-with-doubts-over-two-goalkeepers/|publisher=STV Sport|date=10 September 2012|access-date=27 July 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160807021934/http://stv.tv/sport/football/189474-craig-samson-called-into-scotland-squad-with-doubts-over-two-goalkeepers/|archive-date=7 August 2016|url-status=dead}} and 2015.{{cite web|title=Scotland: Craig Samson replaces Scott Bain in squad|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/32973824|publisher=BBC Sport|date=2 June 2015|access-date=2 June 2015}}
Coaching career
Samson took up a coaching position at Sunderland in November 2018.{{Cite web |title=Goalkeeper leaves St Mirren for coaching job at Sunderland.
|publisher=BBC Sport |date=13 November 2018 |access-date=30 November 2018 |url= https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/46199806}} He left the club in November 2019{{Cite web |title=CHECKED IN:Butler joins backroom staff |publisher=Official Sunderland AFC website |date=2 November 2019 |access-date=31 December 2019 |url= https://www.safc.com/news/club-news/2019/november/butler-joins-backroom-staff}} and was then appointed as the first team goalkeeping coach of League One club Rochdale the following month.{{cite news |last1=Berry |first1=Gavin |title=Craig turns back Tyne |url=https://www.pressreader.com/uk/daily-record/20200106/282570200037078 |access-date=13 May 2020 |work=Daily Record |date=6 Jan 2020 |location=Glasgow |via=PressReader}} He moved to Hibernian during the 2020 close season.{{cite web |url=https://www.edinburghlive.co.uk/sport/football/hibs-sunderland-goalkeeping-coach-samson-18425098 |title=Hibs hoping to add new goalkeeping coach as Jack Ross looks to recruit former member of Sunderland backroom staff |first=James |last=Delaney |website=Edinburgh Live |publisher= |date=15 June 2020 |access-date=2 August 2020}} Samson also registered as a player with Hibs, and was listed as a substitute for a League Cup match with Brora Rangers on 7 October.{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/54452427 |title=Hibernian 3–1 Brora Rangers |website=BBC Sport |publisher=BBC |date=7 October 2020 |access-date=7 October 2020}} Hibs announced in February 2022 that Samson had left the club.{{cite web |url=https://www.hibernianfc.co.uk/article/jon-busch-appointed-new-head-of-goalkeeping |title=Jon Busch Appointed New Head of Goalkeeping |website=www.hibernianfc.co.uk |date=2 February 2022 |accessdate=2 February 2022}} After leaving Hibernian, Samson signed a short-term deal with Aberdeen in a player-coaching role due to an injury crisis at the club.{{cite web |url=https://www.glasgowtimes.co.uk/sport/19920169.craig-samson-joins-aberdeen-four-years-retirement/ |title=Craig Samson joins Aberdeen four years after retirement |website=glasgowtimes.co.uk |date=12 February 2022 |accessdate=12 February 2022}}
Career statistics
{{Updated|match played 10 November 2018}}{{soccerway|craig-samson/50938|access-date=24 October 2017}}
{{reflist|group=lower-alpha}}
Honours
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- {{Soccerbase}}
- [http://www.fitbastats.com/scotlandu21/player.php?playerid=402 Scotland stats] at Fitbastats
{{DEFAULTSORT:Samson, Craig}}
Category:Footballers from Irvine, North Ayrshire
Category:Footballers from Troon
Category:Scottish men's footballers
Category:Kilmarnock F.C. players
Category:Queen of the South F.C. players
Category:St Johnstone F.C. players
Category:Dundee United F.C. players
Category:Ross County F.C. players
Category:Hereford United F.C. players
Category:Ayr United F.C. players
Category:Scottish Premier League players
Category:Scottish Football League players
Category:English Football League players
Category:Scotland men's under-21 international footballers
Category:Men's association football goalkeepers
Category:St Mirren F.C. players
Category:Scottish Professional Football League players
Category:Motherwell F.C. players
Category:Sunderland A.F.C. non-playing staff
Category:Rochdale A.F.C. non-playing staff
Category:Hibernian F.C. non-playing staff
Category:Hibernian F.C. players
Category:Aberdeen F.C. non-playing staff