Sam Dalby
{{short description|English footballer}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2016}}
{{Use British English|date=December 2016}}
{{Infobox football biography
| name = Sam Dalby
| image =
| image_size =
| caption = Dalby with Leeds United in 2018
| fullname = Samuel George Dalby{{cite web |url=https://www.premierleague.com/news/1697050 |title=Premier League clubs publish 2019/20 retained lists |publisher=Premier League |date=26 June 2020 |accessdate=12 July 2020}}
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1999|12|7|df=y}}{{cite web
| title = Sam Dalby
| url = http://www.11v11.com/players/sam-dalby-253754/
| publisher = 11v11
| accessdate = 9 May 2017}}
| birth_place = Leytonstone, England
| height = {{height|m=1.91}}
| position = Striker
| currentclub = Bolton Wanderers
| clubnumber =
| youthyears1 =
| youthclubs1 = Buckhurst Hill{{cite web|title=Hall of Fame|url=https://www.bhfc.co.uk/hall-of-fame|accessdate=29 August 2020|publisher=Buckhurst Hill F.C.}}
| youthyears2 = {{0|0000}}–2016
| youthclubs2 = Leyton Orient
| years1 = 2016–2018
| clubs1 = Leyton Orient
| caps1 = 18
| goals1 = 1
| years2 = 2018–2019
| clubs2 = Leeds United
| caps2 = 0
| goals2 = 0
| years3 = 2019
| clubs3 = → Morecambe (loan)
| caps3 = 2
| goals3 = 0
| years4 = 2019–2021
| clubs4 = Watford
| caps4 = 0
| goals4 = 0
| years5 = 2021
| clubs5 = → Stockport County (loan)
| caps5 = 4
| goals5 = 0
| years6 = 2021
| clubs6 = → Woking (loan)
| caps6 = 14
| goals6 = 1
| years7 = 2021–2022
| clubs7 = Southend United
| caps7 = 43
| goals7 = 9
| years8 = 2022–2025
| clubs8 = Wrexham
| caps8 = 73
| goals8 = 7
| years9 = 2024–2025
| clubs9 = → Dundee United (loan)
| caps9 = 35
| goals9 = 15
| years10 = 2025-
| clubs10 = Bolton Wanderers
| caps10 = 0
| goals10 = 0
| club-update = 19:00, 10 June 2025 (GMT)
}}
Samuel George Dalby (born 7 December 1999) is an English professional footballer who plays as a striker for {{English football updater|BoltonWa}} club Bolton Wanderers.
Club career
=Leyton Orient=
Dalby made his debut for Leyton Orient in the 3–1 win over Stevenage in the EFL Trophy on 30 August 2016, coming on as a substitute for Jordan Bowery. He became one of the youngest Orient players in the club's history, aged 16 years and 226 days.{{cite web|url=https://www.leytonorient.com/2016/08/31/dalbys-debut-makes-orient-history-books/ |title=Dalby's debut makes Orient history books |date=31 August 2016 |accessdate=13 August 2019 |publisher=Leyton Orient F.C.}}
After scoring 11 goals in 19 appearances for Orient's U18 side, Dalby signed a professional contract with the club in December 2016.{{cite web|url=http://www.leytonorient.com/news/article/2016-17/dalby-signs-pro-contract-3460838.aspx |title=Dalby signs professional deal with the O's |date=10 December 2016 |accessdate=17 December 2016 |publisher=Leyton Orient F.C.}}{{cite web|url=http://www.leytonorient.com/news/article/2016-17/os-dalby-on-signing-contract-3466833.aspx |title=CONTRACT: Dalby - 'Hopefully it can be the start of something special' |date=13 December 2016 |accessdate=17 December 2016 |publisher=Leyton Orient F.C.}} He made his league debut as a second-half substitute for Robbie Weir in the 1–0 defeat at Wycombe Wanderers on 17 December 2016.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/38272484 |title=Wycombe Wanderers 1–0 Leyton Orient |date=17 December 2016 |publisher=BBC Sport}}
Dalby made his full debut in the Leyton Orient starting eleven against Crawley Town in League Two on 26 December 2016, also scoring the first goal in the 3–2 win.{{cite web|author1=Colin Munford|title=Interview - Dalby|url=http://www.leytonorient.com/news/article/2016-17/os-striker-dalby-on-first-goal-3490829.aspx|website=leytonorient.com|language=English|date=29 December 2016}} After impressing in his debut season at Orient, he went on trial at Premier League side Crystal Palace in the summer of 2017.{{cite web|author1=George Sessions|url=http://www.eastlondonadvertiser.co.uk/sport/football/leyton-orient/leyton-orient-forward-sam-dalby-signs-for-leeds-united-1-5366587|title=Leyton Orient forward Sam Dalby signs for Leeds United|language=English|date=23 January 2018}}
=Leeds United=
On 23 January 2018, Dalby was signed by EFL Championship side Leeds United for an undisclosed fee on a two-and-a-half-year contract.{{cite web|author1=Leeds United Official Site|title=SAM DALBY SIGNS FOR LEEDS UNITED|url=https://www.leedsunited.com/news/team-news/22922/sam-dalby-signs-for-leeds-united|website=LeedsUnited.com|language=English|date=23 January 2018}} On 19 March, Dalby impressed for Leeds United Under-23s in a victory against Ipswich, with it being described as a 'coming of age performance', after scoring his 4th goal in 6 games for the squad.{{cite web|author1=Yorkshire Evening Post|title=Sam Dalby stars as Leeds United U23's topple Ipswich Town|url=https://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/sport/football/leeds-united/one-to-watch-sam-dalby-stars-as-leeds-united-u23-s-topple-ipswich-town-1-9072342|website=Yorkshire Evening Post|language=English|date=19 March 2018}}
On 3 March 2018, Dalby was named in Leeds' first team for their travelling squad for the EFL Championship game against Fulham at Craven Cottage, however he was not named amongst the substitutes.{{cite web|author1=Adam Pope - BBC Radio Leeds|title=Striker Sam Dalby also in traveling #lufc party|url=https://twitter.com/APOPEY/status/981223998406254593|website=Adam Pope - BBC Radio Leeds|language=English|date=3 April 2018}} On 8 May, he was named in Leeds' first team squad by head coach Paul Heckingbottom for their post season friendlies tour to Myanmar.{{cite web|author1=Phil Hay|title=Saiz features but academy players make up the numbers in Leeds United's Myanmar squad|url=https://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/sport/football/leeds-united/saiz-features-but-academy-players-make-up-the-numbers-in-leeds-united-s-myanmar-squad-1-9153612|website=Yorkshire Evening post|language=English|date=8 May 2018}}
Dalby scored his first goal for Leeds' first team when he scored for Leeds under new head coach Marcelo Bielsa in their pre-season friendly 1–1 draw against York City on 20 July 2018.{{cite web|url=https://www.leedsunited.com/news/team-news/23543/ronaldo-vieira-everyone-is-feeling-fit|title=RONALDO VIEIRA: EVERYONE IS FEELING FIT|publisher=Leeds United|date=20 July 2018}}{{cite web|url=https://www.leedsunited.com/news/team-news/23540/report-york-city|title=REPORT: YORK CITY 1-1 LEEDS UNITED|publisher=Leeds United|date=19 July 2018}} On 26 July 2018, Dalby was given the number 41 shirt for the upcoming 2018–19 season for Leeds.{{cite news |title=2018/19 SQUAD NUMBERS ANNOUNCED |url=https://www.leedsunited.com/news/team-news/23576/2018-19-squad-numbers-announced |newspaper=Leeds United |date=26 July 2018 |accessdate=26 July 2018}}
On 31 January 2019, Dalby joined League Two side Morecambe on loan until the end of the season.{{cite news |title=SAM DALBY LOAN |url=https://www.morecambefc.com/news/2019/january/sam-dalby-loan/ |newspaper=Morecambe|date=31 January 2019 |accessdate=31 January 2019}} He made his debut on 9 February in a 3–2 defeat against Bury and in total made 2 substitute appearances.{{cite news |title=Games played by Sam Dalby in 2018/2019 |url=https://www.soccerbase.com/players/player.sd?player_id=96035 |newspaper=Soccerbase|date=9 March 2019 |accessdate=9 March 2019}}
=Watford=
On 12 July 2019, Dalby joined Premier League club Watford for an undisclosed fee,{{cite web|title=Sam Dalby makes Watford move|url=https://www.leedsunited.com/news/team-news/25167/sam-dalby-makes-watford-move|website=Leeds United|date=12 July 2019 |accessdate=12 July 2019}} signing a two-year deal with an additional one-year option. He was part of their development squad during the 2019–20 season.{{cite web|title=Academy: U23 Squad Strengthened Further|url=https://www.watfordfc.com/teams/under-23s/academy-u23-squad-strengthened-further|website=watfordfc.com|date=12 July 2019 |accessdate=12 July 2019}} On 28 July 2019, Dalby scored a hat-trick whilst playing for Watford U23s against a RB Leipzig U19 side in a friendly match.{{Cite web|url=https://www.watfordobserver.co.uk/sport/17801128.sam-dalby-scored-three-times-red-bull-leipzig-watford-debut/|title = Youngster scores hat-trick| date=29 July 2019 }} He was also selected in the matchday squad for Watford's EFL Cup fourth round defeat to Everton on 29 October 2019, but ultimately remained an unused substitute.
On 19 February 2021, Dalby joined National League side Stockport County on loan for one month.{{cite web |url=https://www.watfordfc.com/news/academy-stockport-loan-for-dalby |title=Stockport loan for Dalby |publisher=Watford FC |date=19 February 2021 |accessdate=19 February 2021}}
On 22 March 2021, Dalby returned to the National League to join Woking on loan for the remainder of the campaign.{{Cite news |title=Sam Dalby joins on loan |url=https://www.wokingfc.co.uk/news/article/7421/sam-dalby-joins-on-loan/ |publisher=Woking F.C. |date=22 March 2021 |accessdate=22 March 2021}}
On 18 May 2021, it was announced that Dalby would leave Watford upon the expiry of his contract in June.{{Cite news |title=News: Retain & Release List Confirmed |url=https://www.watfordfc.com/news/news-retain-release-list-confirmed |publisher=Watford F.C. |date=18 May 2021 |accessdate=20 May 2021}}
=Southend United=
On 28 July 2021, Dalby was announced to have joined recently relegated National League side Southend United on a two-year deal.{{cite web|url=https://www.southendunited.co.uk/news/2021/july/sam-dalby-signs-for-southend-united/|title=SAM DALBY SIGNS FOR SOUTHEND UNITED|website=www.southendunited.co.uk|date=28 July 2021}}
=Wrexham=
On 1 August 2022, Dalby signed for Wrexham for an undisclosed fee on a two-year deal with the option for a further year.{{cite web|url=https://www.wrexhamafc.co.uk/news/2022/august/signed--wrexham-afc-sign-sam-dalby/|title=SIGNING : Wrexham AFC sign Sam Dalby|website=www.wrexhamafc.co.uk|date=1 August 2022|accessdate=1 August 2022}} On 16 August, he made his debut for the club coming on off the bench in a 2–0 defeat to Chesterfield.{{cite web|url=https://www.wrexhamafc.co.uk/matches/first-team-fixtures/fixtures/first-team/202223/august/chesterfield-vs-wrexham-on-16-aug-22/#report|title=Chesterfield 2-0 Wrexham AFC|website=www.wrexhamafc.co.uk|date=16 August 2022|accessdate=7 January 2023}} On 24 September, Dalby scored his first goal for Wrexham in a 6–0 home victory against Torquay.{{cite web|url=https://www.wrexhamafc.co.uk/matches/first-team-fixtures/fixtures/first-team/202223/september/wrexham-vs-torquay-united-on-24-sep-22/#report|title=Wrexham AFC 6-0 Torquay United|website=www.wrexhamafc.co.uk|date=24 September 2022|accessdate=7 January 2023}} On 6 November, he scored his first ever FA Cup goal in a 3–0 win against Oldham Athletic where he also got an assist.{{cite web|url=https://www.wrexhamafc.co.uk/matches/first-team-fixtures/fixtures/first-team/202223/november/wrexham-vs-oldham-athletic-on-05-nov-22/#report|title=Wrexham 3-0 Oldham Athletic|website=www.wrexhamafc.co.uk|date=6 November 2022|accessdate=7 January 2023}}
==Dundee United (loan)==
On 30 August 2024, Dalby signed for Dundee United on a season-long loan.{{cite web|url=https://www.dundeeunitedfc.co.uk/news/8576/WREXHAM-STRIKER-SAM-DALBY-ARRIVES-AT-TANNADICE-ON-SEASON-LONG-LOAN.html|title=WREXHAM STRIKER SAM DALBY ARRIVES AT TANNADICE ON SEASON-LONG LOAN|website=www.dundeeunitedfc.co.uk|date=30 August 2024|accessdate=3 September 2024}} He scored ten goals in the first half of the Scottish Premiership season, including an 88th-minute winner in a 2–1 win for Dundee United against Dundee in the Dundee derby on 2 January 2025.{{Cite web|url=https://www.heraldscotland.com/sport/24830077.dundee-1-dundee-utd-2-visitors-go-third-sam-dalbys-late-winner/|title=Dundee 1 Dundee Utd 2: Visitors go third after Sam Dalby's late winner|last=McCafferty|first=Gavin|date=2 January 2025|website=The Herald|accessdate=5 March 2025}}
On 24 January 2025, it was confirmed that Dalby would remain with Dundee United until the conclusion of the Scottish Premiership season.{{Cite web|url=https://news.stv.tv/sport/dundee-united-confirm-sam-dalby-to-stay-at-tannadice-for-rest-of-season|title=Dundee United confirm Dalby to stay at Tannadice for rest of season|first=Peter|last=Cassidy|date=24 January 2025|website=STV News|accessdate=5 March 2025}} Dalby departed both Dundee United and parent club Wrexham at the end of the season.{{Cite web |url=https://www.wrexhamafc.co.uk/news/2025/may/16/club-statement---2025-released-retained-list/ |access-date=2025-06-01 |website=www.wrexhamafc.co.uk}}
=Bolton Wanderers=
With his contract up at Wrexham, Dalby signed a four-year contract with Bolton Wanderers on 9 June 2025. He will officially join the club when his contract expires on 30 June.{{Cite web |url=https://www.bwfc.co.uk/news/wanderers-secure-exciting-forward-sam-dalby |access-date=9 June 2025 |website=https://www.bwfc.co.uk/}}
Style of play
Dalby's style of play has been likened{{by whom|date=February 2020}} to English striker Harry Kane, due to his stature, finishing and hold up play. He was described as a special talent, with former Orient teammate James Dayton describing him 'He's left-footed, has a lovely touch and he's very aware of space. He is very natural at taking the ball into space and away from pressure'.{{cite web|author1=George Sessions|title=Leeds United's Sam Dalby will have good career, says former Leyton Orient team-mate James Dayton|url=http://www.eastlondonadvertiser.co.uk/sport/football/leyton-orient/leeds-united-s-sam-dalby-will-have-good-career-says-former-leyton-orient-team-mate-james-dayton-1-5369873|website=East London Advertiser|language=English|date=26 January 2018}}
Career statistics
{{updated|match played 2 March 2025}}
| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competition | ||||||||||
| rowspan=2|Club
!rowspan=2|Season !colspan=3|League !colspan=2|National cup{{efn|Includes FA Cup, Scottish Cup}} !colspan=2|League cup{{efn|Includes EFL Cup, Scottish League Cup}} !colspan=2|Other !colspan=2|Total | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals |
| rowspan="3"|Leyton Orient
|2016–17{{soccerbase season|96035|2016|accessdate=30 July 2017}} |16 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1{{efn|name=EFLT|Appearance in EFL Trophy}} | 0 | 17 | 1 | |
| 2017–18{{Cite news |title=S. Dalby |url=https://uk.soccerway.com/players/sam-dalby/458142/ |publisher=Soccerway |accessdate=22 March 2021}}
|2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | ||
| colspan=2|Total
!18||1||0||0||0||0||1||0||19||1 | ||||||||||
| rowspan="3"|Leeds United
|0 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 0 | 0 | ||||
| 2018–19
|Championship |0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 0 | 0 | ||
| colspan=2|Total
!0||0||0||0||0||0||colspan="2"|—||0||0 | ||||||||||
| rowspan="1"|Morecambe (loan)
|League Two |2 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 2 | 0 | ||||
| rowspan="3"|Watford
|0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 1 | 0 | ||
| 2020–21
|Championship |0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 0 | 0 | ||
| colspan=2|Total
!0||0||1||0||0||0||colspan="2"|—||1||0 | ||||||||||
| Stockport County (loan)
|National League |4 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 4 | 0 | ||||
| Woking (loan)
|National League |14 | 1 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 1{{efn|name=FAT|Appearance(s) in FA Trophy}} | 0 | 15 | 1 | |||
| Southend United
|National League |43 | 9 | 2 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 2{{efn|name=FAT}} | 1 | 47 | 10 | ||
| rowspan="4"|Wrexham
|National League |41 | 6 | 6 | 2 | colspan="2"|— | 2{{efn|name=FAT}} | 0 | 49 | 8 | ||
| 2023–24{{soccerbase season|52657|2023|access-date=10 March 2025}}
|League Two |31 | 1 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 3{{efn|name=EFLT}} | 2 | 40 | 5 | |
| 2024–25{{soccerbase season|52657|2024|access-date=10 March 2025}}
|1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | |
| colspan="2"|Total
!73 | 7 | 10 | 4 | 3 | 0 | 5 | 2 | 91 | 13 | |
| rowspan="1"|Dundee United (loan)
|35 | 15 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 37 | 15 | ||
| colspan=3|Career total
!189||33||14||4||4||0||9||3||216||40 |
{{notelist}}
Honours
Wrexham
- National League: 2022–23{{Cite news |date=22 April 2023 |title=Mullin the hero as Wrexham win to earn promotion |language= |work=BBC Sport |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/65283910 |access-date=22 April 2023}}
- EFL League Two runner-up: 2023–24https://www.wrexhamafc.co.uk/news/2024/april/end-of-season-gallery--relive-the-red-dragons-memorable-season/ {{Bare URL inline|date=August 2024}}
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- {{Soccerbase|id=96035}}
{{Wrexham A.F.C. Young Player of the Year}}
{{2024–25 PFA Scotland Scottish Premiership Team of the Year}}{{DEFAULTSORT:Dalby, Sam}}
{{Bolton Wanderers F.C. squad}}
Category:Footballers from the London Borough of Waltham Forest
Category:People from Leytonstone
Category:Dundee United F.C. players
Category:English men's footballers
Category:Men's association football forwards
Category:Leyton Orient F.C. players
Category:Leeds United F.C. players
Category:Morecambe F.C. players
Category:Stockport County F.C. players
Category:Southend United F.C. players
Category:Wrexham A.F.C. players
Category:Bolton Wanderers F.C. players
Category:English Football League players