Sam Foley
{{Short description|English footballer (born 1986)}}
{{for|the New Zealand artist|Sam Foley (artist)}}
{{Use British English|date=October 2022}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2022}}
{{Infobox football biography
| name = Sam Foley
| image = Sam Foley 14-04-2012 1.jpg
| upright = 0.9
| caption = Foley playing for Newport County in 2012.
| fullname = Samuel Robert Foley{{Hugman|23062|accessdate=9 March 2017}}
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1986|10|17|df=y}}{{cite web |title=FootballSquads - Port Vale - 2016/2017 |url=http://www.footballsquads.co.uk/eng/2016-2017/fltwo/portv.htm |website=www.footballsquads.co.uk |access-date=1 February 2021 |archive-date=5 February 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210205160916/http://www.footballsquads.co.uk/eng/2016-2017/fltwo/portv.htm |url-status=dead }}
| birth_place = St Albans, England
| height = {{convert|1.83|m|order=flip}}{{cite web |title=FootballSquads - Port Vale - 2016/17 |url=http://www.footballsquads.co.uk/eng/2016-2017/flone/portv.htm |website=www.footballsquads.co.uk |access-date=24 June 2019}}
| position = Midfielder
| currentclub = Barrow
| clubnumber = 16
| youthyears1 =
| youthclubs1 =
| years1 = 2006–2008
| clubs1 = Cheltenham Town
| caps1 = 0
| goals1 = 0
| years2 = 2008
| clubs2 = → Bath City (loan)
| caps2 = 6
| goals2 = 2
| years3 = 2008–2009
| clubs3 = Kidderminster Harriers
| caps3 = 0
| goals3 = 0
| years4 = 2008
| clubs4 = → Redditch United (loan)
| caps4 = 7
| goals4 = 2
| years5 = 2009
| clubs5 = → Newport County (loan)
| caps5 = 14
| goals5 = 4
| years6 = 2009–2012
| clubs6 = Newport County
| caps6 = 118
| goals6 = 32
| years7 = 2012–2015
| clubs7 = Yeovil Town
| caps7 = 88
| goals7 = 7
| years8 = 2014
| clubs8 = → Shrewsbury Town (loan)
| caps8 = 9
| goals8 = 0
| years9 = 2015–2017
| clubs9 = Port Vale
| caps9 = 77
| goals9 = 7
| years10 = 2017–2019
| clubs10 = Northampton Town
| caps10 = 60
| goals10 = 4
| years11 = 2019–2021
| clubs11 = St Mirren
| caps11 = 38
| goals11 = 1
| years12 = 2021
| clubs12 = Motherwell
| caps12 = 4
| goals12 = 1
| years13 = 2021–2022
| clubs13 = Tranmere Rovers
| caps13 = 39
| goals13 = 1
| years14 = 2022–
| clubs14 = Barrow
| caps14 = 116
| goals14 = 7
| nationalyears1 =
| nationalteam1 = Republic of Ireland U18
| nationalcaps1 =
| nationalgoals1 =
| club-update = 00:41, 7 May 2025 (UTC)
}}
Samuel Robert Foley (born 17 October 1986) is a professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for {{English football updater|Barrow}} club Barrow. Born in England, he represented the Republic of Ireland at youth level.
A former Republic of Ireland youth international, he began his career at Cheltenham Town. Though he played on loan at Bath City, he left Cheltenham in 2008 without making a first-team appearance. He then spent a year with Kidderminster Harriers, who in turn loaned him on to Redditch United and Newport County. He joined Newport in June 2009 and helped them to win the Conference South title in 2009–10 and to the 2012 FA Trophy final. He returned to the English Football League with Yeovil Town in July 2012. He played in the club's 2013 League One play-off final victory that took them into the Championship. He lost his first-team place in the 2013–14 season and joined Shrewsbury Town on loan before winning Yeovil's Player of the Year award in the 2014–15 season as the club dropped into League Two. He joined Port Vale in June 2015 and left after two seasons to join Northampton Town in May 2017, where he would remain for another two seasons. He joined Scottish club St Mirren in August 2019 and was named the club's Player of the Year for the 2019–20 season. He spent the second half of the 2020–21 season at Motherwell, before returning to England with Tranmere Rovers in July 2021. He joined Barrow in July 2022.
Career
=Early career=
Foley signed a two-year professional contract with Cheltenham Town in 2006. However, he spent much of time at Whaddon Road out injured with osteitis pubis and never made a first-team appearance for the "Robins".{{cite news|title='Keep believing and an opportunity will come'|url=http://www.gloucestershireecho.co.uk/believing-opportunity-come/story-18736880-detail/story.html|access-date=19 June 2015|work=Gloucestershire Echo|date=18 April 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150620005128/http://www.gloucestershireecho.co.uk/believing-opportunity-come/story-18736880-detail/story.html|archive-date=20 June 2015|url-status=dead}} He spent part of the 2007–08 season on loan at Conference South Bath City. He scored two goals in seven appearances for the "Romans".
In August 2008 he signed a one-year contract with Kidderminster Harriers after impressing manager Mark Yates during a trial spell.{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/k/kidderminster_harriers/7543695.stm |title=Harriers sign on four trialists |publisher=BBC Sport |date=5 August 2008 |access-date=17 April 2014 }} He was sent out on loan to Conference North side Redditch United in October 2008.{{cite news|title=Foley joins United on loan|url=http://www.kidderminstershuttle.co.uk/sport/harriers/3726981.Foley_joins_United_on_loan/|access-date=19 June 2015|work=The Shuttle|date=3 October 2008}} He scored two goals in seven games and "Reds" manager Gary Whild wanted an extended loan spell, but Foley was recalled to Kidderminster in December.{{cite news|title=Sam Foley's chance to impress at Harriers|url=http://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/sam-foleys-chance-to-impress-at-harriers-73927|access-date=19 June 2015|work=Birmingham Mail|date=2 December 2008}} He went on to spend the second half of the 2008–09 season on loan at Conference South club Newport County, scoring four goals in 14 appearances. He left Aggborough without making a first-team appearance for the Harriers after rejecting a new contract offer.{{cite news|title=Foley tipped for bright future|url=https://www.expressandstar.com/news/2009/05/19/foley-tipped-for-bright-future/|access-date=19 June 2015|work=Express and Star|date=19 May 2009}}
=Newport County=
In June 2009, Foley was signed by Newport County manager Dean Holdsworth. Foley was immediately a regular in the team, filling all midfield and forward roles at various times, but mostly played as a supporting striker alongside Craig Reid. In the 2009–10 season, County were crowned Conference South champions with a record of 103 points, 28 points ahead of second-place Dover Athletic. He remained a key player in the 2010–11 season, scoring five goals in 44 games as Newport posted a ninth-place finish in the Conference Premier. Three of his goals came on 11 October, in a 4–1 win over Fleetwood Town at Highbury Stadium, in what was new manager Justin Edinburgh's first win at the club.{{cite news|title=Fleetwood 1-4 Newport|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/15162807|access-date=19 June 2015|work=BBC Sport|date=11 October 2011}} On 12 May, Foley played at Wembley Stadium in the 2012 FA Trophy final, which Newport lost 2–0 to York City.{{cite news|last1=Woodcock|first1=Ian|title=FA Trophy: Newport County 0-2 York City|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/18017573|access-date=19 June 2015|date=12 May 2012}} He scored 12 goals in 49 appearances during the 2011–12 season and rejected the offer of a new contract at the end of the season.
=Yeovil Town=
Foley signed a one-year contract with League One club Yeovil Town in July 2012.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/18249165 |title=Yeovil Town sign Marsh-Brown, Foley and Hinds |publisher=BBC Sport |date=29 May 2012 }} On 14 August, Foley made his Yeovil debut in the League Cup in a 3–0 victory over Colchester United,{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/19159735 |title=Yeovil 3–0 Colchester |publisher=BBC Sport |date=14 August 2012 |access-date=14 August 2012 }} and scored his first competitive goal for the side on 4 September in a 3–0 Football League Trophy win at Bristol Rovers.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/19394535 |title=Bristol Rovers 0–3 Yeovil |publisher=BBC Sport |date=4 September 2012 |access-date=17 April 2014 }} On 19 May, Foley played in the 2013 League One play-off final as Yeovil beat Brentford 2–1 to secure promotion to the Championship.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/22499110 |title=Brentford 1–2 Yeovil |publisher=BBC Sport |date=19 May 2013 |access-date=20 May 2013 }} In total he scored seven goals in 51 appearances in the 2012–13 campaign, mostly from left-wing.{{cite news|title=New signing Sam Foley targets central midfield spot|url=http://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/Port-Vale-New-signing-Sam-Foley-targets-central/story-26724102-detail/story.html|access-date=19 June 2015|work=The Sentinel|date=18 June 2015}} He signed a new two-year contract in June 2013.{{cite news|title=Yeovil: Kevin Dawson & Sam Foley re-sign as Sam Hoskins arrives|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/23068145|access-date=19 June 2015|work=BBC Sport|date=26 June 2013}}
He played just nine times in the 2013–14 season as the "Glovers" were relegated out of the Championship. On 7 March 2014, Foley joined League One side Shrewsbury Town on an initial one-month loan.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/26473835 |title=Shrewsbury Town: Andy Morell and Yeovil's Sam Foley join |publisher=BBC Sport |date=7 March 2014 |access-date=7 March 2014 }} After making nine appearances for the "Shrews", Foley was recalled to Huish Park on 16 April.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/27052927 |title=Shrewsbury Town: Sam Foley recalled and Dave McAllister out |publisher=BBC Sport |date=16 April 2014 |access-date=17 April 2014 }} With Yeovil back in League One Foley was restored to the first-team for the 2014–15 campaign and featured 45 times, mainly in central midfield, as the club suffered a second successive relegation. Though the season was a poor one for the club, Foley managed to find success on an individual level, winning the Western Gazette's Player of the Year award.{{cite news|title=Sam Foley wins Player of the Season award after impressive year with Yeovil Town|url=http://www.westerngazette.co.uk/Sam-Foley-wins-Player-Season-award-impressive/story-26389386-detail/story.html|access-date=19 June 2015|work=Western Gazette|date=25 April 2015|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150620005936/http://www.westerngazette.co.uk/Sam-Foley-wins-Player-Season-award-impressive/story-26389386-detail/story.html|archive-date=20 June 2015}} He rejected the offer of a new contract in the summer in favour of a move to remain in League One.
=Port Vale=
In June 2015, Foley signed a two-year contract with League One club Port Vale.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/33185746 |title=Sam Foley: Port Vale sign Yeovil Town midfielder |publisher=BBC Sport |date=18 June 2015 |access-date=18 June 2015 }} He said he aimed to secure a regular first-team place in central midfield.{{cite news|title=Port Vale: New signing Sam Foley targets central midfield spot|url=http://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/port-vale-new-signing-sam-foley-targets-central/story-26724102-detail/story.html|access-date=21 September 2016|work=The Sentinel|date=18 June 2015}} He went on to score six goals in 50 appearances throughout the 2015–16 season, and was also the club's penalty-taker, converting two of four penalty kicks.{{cite news|last1=Baggaley|first1=Mike|title=Port Vale 1, Peterborough 1 report: Missed penalties cost Vale in dramatic draw|url=http://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/Port-Vale-1-Peterborough-1-report-Missed/story-28003172-detail/story.html|access-date=17 October 2015|work=The Sentinel|date=17 October 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151020013743/http://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/Port-Vale-1-Peterborough-1-report-Missed/story-28003172-detail/story.html|archive-date=20 October 2015|url-status=dead}} Manager Rob Page played him both in central midfield and on the left side of midfield throughout the campaign, and told the media that Foley was "outstanding" in both roles.{{cite news|last1=Baggaley|first1=Mike|title=Port Vale v Burton: Super Sam Foley emerging as key Vale player|url=http://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/port-vale-v-burton-super-sam-foley-emerging-key/story-28949360-detail/story.html|access-date=21 September 2016|work=The Sentinel|date=19 March 2016}}
He remained a key player under new manager Bruno Ribeiro. He missed just two of the opening 15 league games of the 2016–17 season, being named on the EFL Team of the Week after providing two assists in a 3–1 win over Scunthorpe United at Vale Park on 27 August.{{cite news |title=Sky Bet EFL: Team of the Week |url=https://www.efl.com/news/2016/august/sky-bet-efl-team-of-the-week3/ |access-date=9 October 2019 |work=www.efl.com |date=29 August 2016 |language=en-gb}} However, he was forced to undergo surgery on a long-standing ankle injury in October.{{cite news|last1=Sharpe|first1=Rich|title=Port Vale midfielder Sam Foley set for extended spell on the sidelines|url=http://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/port-vale-midfielder-sam-foley-set-for-extended-spell-on-the-sidelines/story-29844330-detail/story.html|access-date=27 October 2016|work=Stoke Sentinel|date=27 October 2016}} He returned to training after a three-month recovery spell.{{cite news|last1=Baggaley|first1=Mike|title=Port Vale: Sam Foley thrilled to end injury frustration|url=http://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/port-vale-sam-foley-thrilled-to-end-injury-frustration/story-30087248-detail/story.html|access-date=26 January 2017|work=Stoke Sentinel|date=26 January 2017|language=en}} In February 2017, he was praised by caretaker manager Michael Brown for playing despite being below full fitness during a difficult period for the club.{{cite news|last1=Baggaley|first1=Mike|title=Michael Brown says Sam Foley is showing true grit for Port Vale|url=http://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/michael-brown-says-sam-foley-is-showing-true-grit-for-port-vale/story-30142410-detail/story.html|access-date=18 February 2017|work=Stoke Sentinel|date=17 February 2017|language=en}}{{dead link|date=May 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} He scored his first goal of the season in a crucial 2–1 home win against relegation rivals Shrewsbury Town on 17 March.{{cite news|last1=Baggaley|first1=Mike|title=Port Vale 2, Shrewsbury 1: Brown's battlers claim crucial win|url=http://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/port-vale-2-shrewsbury-1-brown-s-battlers-take-stride-towards-safety/story-30212554-detail/story.html|access-date=18 March 2017|work=Stoke Sentinel|date=17 March 2017|language=en}}{{dead link|date=May 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}
=Northampton Town=
In May 2017, Foley rejected the offer of a new contract at Port Vale to remain in League One on a two-year contract with Northampton Town; the move reunited him with former Newport manager Justin Edinburgh.{{cite news|title=Sam Foley: Northampton Town sign Port Vale midfielder|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/40000225|access-date=22 May 2017|work=BBC Sport|date=22 May 2017}} Port Vale manager Michael Brown said that Port Vale had offered a better wage than Northampton, but Foley had wanted to play at as high a level as possible.{{cite news|last1=Baggaley|first1=Mike|title=Brown says Port Vale beat Northampton's wage offer to Foley|url=http://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/michael-brown-says-port-vale-beat-northampton-s-wage-offer-to-sam-foley/story-30347261-detail/story.html|access-date=22 May 2017|work=Stoke Sentinel|date=22 May 2017|language=en}} He lost his first-team place under new manager Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink and scored three goals in 28 appearances for the "Cobblers" as the club were relegated at the end of the 2017–18 season. He scored two goals in 40 appearances in the 2018–19 campaign, maintaining his first-team place under first Dean Austin and then Keith Curle, before he was released on 6 May.{{cite news |title=Northampton Town release eight players and transfer-list three more |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/48178771 |access-date=6 May 2019 |work=BBC Sport |date=6 May 2019}}
=St Mirren=
On 1 August 2019, Foley signed a two-year deal with Scottish Premiership side St Mirren.{{cite news |title=St Mirren: Midfielder Sam Foley arrives on a two-year deal |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/49193115 |access-date=1 August 2019 |work=BBC Sport |date=1 August 2019}} He stepped in as the "Saints" team captain during the absence of Stephen McGinn and Kyle Magennis in January.{{cite news |last1=Ramage |first1=Ben |title=Sam Foley opens up on "privilege" of donning the St Mirren captain's armband |url=https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/local-sport/sam-foley-opens-up-privilege-21386976 |access-date=5 April 2020 |work=dailyrecord |date=29 January 2020}} He went on to win the vote for the PDE St Mirren Player of the Year award for the 2019–20 season; he said that "I've won a few awards throughout my career though and I see them as a reward for hard work on and off the pitch. When you get to my age it's about a love of the job and football is my trade. You need to have a willingness and desire to work hard."{{cite news |last1=Ramage |first1=Ben |title=Sam Foley thanks St Mirren fans after picking up PDE player of the year award |url=https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/local-sport/sam-foley-thanks-st-mirren-22109059 |access-date=31 May 2020 |work=Daily Record |date=30 May 2020}} He played 15 games in the first half of the 2020–21 season before being benched.{{cite news |last1=Ramage |first1=Ben |title=Captain Foley's exit confirmed as midfielder pays tribute to "proud" Saints fans |url=https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/local-sport/st-mirren-skipper-sam-foleys-23409751 |access-date=29 January 2021 |work=Daily Record |date=29 January 2021 |language=en}}
=Motherwell=
On 29 January 2021, Foley signed for Motherwell on a contract until the end of the 2020–21 season.{{cite web|title=SAM FOLEY SIGNS FOR MOTHERWELL|url=https://www.motherwellfc.co.uk/2021/01/29/sam-foley-signs-for-motherwell/|website=motherwellfc.co.uk|date=29 January 2021|access-date=29 January 2021}} A back injury meant that he featured just five times for the "Steelmen", feeling that due to the team's form that he "wasn't in a position to knock on the manager's (Graham Alexander) door".{{cite news |last1=McGilvray |first1=Andy |title=Motherwell star 'hoped he remembered how to play', as he chases a new deal |url=https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/local-sport/motherwell-star-hoped-remembered-how-24027927 |access-date=20 May 2021 |work=Daily Record |date=3 May 2021 |language=en}} After spending a long time on the sidelines he admitted to thinking "god I hope I remember how to play this game!"{{cite news|last1=Banks|first1=Ben |title=Motherwell midfielder Sam Foley says 'the future could hold anything' after remembering to play |url=https://www.nottheoldfirm.com/interview/motherwell-midfielder-sam-foley-says-the-future-could-hold-anything-after-remembering-to-play/ |access-date=20 May 2021 |work=Not The Old Firm |date=4 May 2021}} He was released by Motherwell at the end of the season.{{Cite news |date=24 May 2021 |title=Motherwell: Christopher Long & Sherwin Seedorf among raft of departures |language=en-GB |work=BBC Sport |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/57235208 |access-date=2 June 2021}}
=Tranmere Rovers=
Foley signed a one-year contract with League Two club Tranmere Rovers on 22 July 2021, with manager Micky Mellon citing his "experience, leg power and he is a great athlete".{{cite news |title=Sam Foley signs for Tranmere! |url=https://www.tranmererovers.co.uk/news/2021/july/sam-foley-signs-for-tranmere/ |access-date=23 July 2021 |work=www.tranmererovers.co.uk |date=22 July 2021 |language=en-gb}} In October, he was described as "an instrumental figure for Rovers" as the team put together a run of form to reach the top six.{{cite news |last1=Armitage |first1=Zak |title=Foley: We know what we are capable of in this dressing room |url=https://www.tranmererovers.co.uk/news/2021/october/new-pagefoley-we-know-what-we-are-capable-of-in-this-dressing-room/ |access-date=22 May 2022 |work=Tranmere Rovers |date=15 October 2021 |language=en-gb}} He ended the 2021–22 season with four goals in 45 appearances, though Tranmere missed out on the play-offs on the final day.{{cite news |title=Leyton Orient 0-1 Tranmere: Kane Hemmings secures away win but Rovers fall short of play-offs |url=https://www.skysports.com/football/leyton-orient-vs-tranmere-rovers/448988 |access-date=22 May 2022 |work=Sky Sports |date=7 May 2022 |language=en}}
=Barrow=
Foley signed a one-year contract with fellow League Two club Barrow on 21 June 2022, with the player joining the club on the expiration of his Tranmere contract in July.{{Cite news |title=Barrow sign Tranmere's Foley on one-year deal |language=en-GB |work=BBC Sport |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/61884603 |access-date=21 June 2022}} He featured 44 times throughout the 2022–23 campaign. Speaking in October 2023, manager Pete Wild said that Foley "had a real impact for us [as a substitute] and he has given us a real sort of drive".{{cite news |last1=O'Hara |first1=Matthew |title=AFC boss Pete Wild 'really pleased' with 'top lad' Sam Foley |url=https://www.nwemail.co.uk/sport/23835668.barrow-afc-boss-pete-wild-really-pleased-top-lad-sam-foley/ |access-date=8 May 2024 |work=The Mail |date=5 October 2023 |language=en}} He made 48 appearances across the 2023–24 campaign, scoring four goals, but was released in the summer.{{Cite web |title=Barrow AFC Retained List |url=https://www.barrowafc.com/news/2024/may/retained-list-2324/ |date=1 May 2024|access-date=1 May 2024 |website=www.barrowafc.com |language=en-gb}} However, on 27 June, the club announced that Foley had agreed a new one-year deal.{{cite web|url=https://www.barrowafc.com/news/2024/june/27/sam-foley-signs-on/|title=Sam Foley Signs On|website=www.barrowafc.com|date=27 June 2024|accessdate=27 June 2024}}
Foley made his one-hundredth Barrow appearance on 28 September 2024, in a 2–0 defeat at Gillingham.{{Cite web |title=Gillingham Vs. Barrow - 28.09.24 |work=BBC Sport |url= https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/live/cqxr4d94jwvt?page=4 |date=28 September 2024|access-date=30 September 2024}} He made 39 appearances in the 2024–25 season, scoring four goals. He won four club awards and signed a new one-year deal as the season drew to a close.{{cite news |title=New Contract: Sam Foley |url=https://www.barrowafc.com/news/2025/april/30/new-contract--sam-foley |access-date=30 April 2025 |work=Barrow AFC |date=30 April 2025}}
Style of play
Career statistics
{{updated|match played 3 May 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"|Cheltenham Town
|2006–07{{Soccerbase season|id=44029|season=2006|accessdate=1 January 2015}} |0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| 2007–08{{Soccerbase season|id=44029|season=2007|accessdate=1 January 2015}}
|League One |0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| colspan="2"|Total
!0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Bath City (loan)
|6 | 2 | 0 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 1{{efn|Appearance in Somerset Premier Cup}} | 0 | 7 | 2 | ||
| |Kidderminster Harriers
|0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||
| Redditch United (loan)
|7 | 2 | 0 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 0 | 0 | 7 | 2 | ||
| Newport County (loan)
|Conference South |14 | 4 | 0 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 0 | 0 | 14 | 4 | ||
| rowspan="4"|Newport County
|Conference South |38 | 17 | 2 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 4{{efn|name=FAT|Appearances in FA Trophy}} | 0 | 44 | 17 | ||
| 2010–11{{Soccerway|sam-foley/75779}}
|Conference Premier |40 | 5 | 1 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 3{{efn|name=FAT}} | 0 | 44 | 5 | ||
| 2011–12{{Soccerbase season|id=44029|season=2011|accessdate=1 January 2015}}
|Conference Premier |40 | 10 | 2 | 1 | colspan="2"|— | 7{{efn|name=FAT}} | 1 | 49 | 12 | ||
| colspan="2"|Total
!132 | 36 | 5 | 1 | colspan="2"|— | 14 | 1 | 151 | 38 | ||
| rowspan="4"|Yeovil Town
|2012–13{{Soccerbase season|id=44029|season=2012|accessdate=1 January 2015}} |League One |41 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 7{{efn|Four appearances and two goals in Football League Trophy, three appearances in League One play-offs}} | 2 | 51 | 7 | |
| 2013–14{{Soccerbase season|id=44029|season=2013|accessdate=1 January 2015}}
|7 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 9 | 0 | ||
| 2014–15{{Soccerbase season|id=44029|season=2014|accessdate=1 January 2015}}
|League One |40 | 2 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1{{efn|Appearance in Football League Trophy}} | 0 | 45 | 2 | |
| colspan="2"|Total
!88 | 7 | 7 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 8 | 2 | 105 | 9 | |
| Shrewsbury Town (loan)
|League One |9 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 9 | 0 | |
| rowspan="3"|Port Vale
|2015–16{{Soccerbase season|id=44029|season=2015|accessdate=1 January 2015}} |League One |45 | 6 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 50 | 6 | |
| 2016–17{{Soccerbase season|id=44029|season=2016|accessdate=1 January 2015}}
|League One |32 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 33 | 1 | |
| colspan="2"|Total
!77 | 7 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 83 | 7 | |
| rowspan="3"|Northampton Town
|2017–18{{Soccerbase season|id=44029|season=2017|accessdate=19 October 2017}} |League One |24 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3{{efn|name=EFT|Appearance(s) in EFL Trophy}} | 1 | 28 | 3 | |
| 2018–19{{Soccerbase season|id=44029|season=2018|accessdate=19 October 2017}}
|36 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 3{{efn|name=EFT}} | 0 | 40 | 2 | |
| colspan="2"|Total
!60 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 6 | 1 | 68 | 5 | |
| rowspan="3"|St Mirren
|2019–20{{Soccerbase season|id=44029|season=2019|accessdate=1 August 2019}} |27 | 1 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 31 | 2 | ||
| 2020–21{{Soccerbase season|id=44029|season=2020|accessdate=2 August 2020}}
|Scottish Premiership |11 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 15 | 0 | ||
| colspan="2"|Total
!38||1||4||1||4||0||0||0||46||2 | ||||||||||
| Motherwell
|Scottish Premiership |4 | 1 | 1 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 5 | 1 | |||
| Tranmere Rovers
|2021–22{{Soccerbase season|id=44029|season=2021|accessdate=2 August 2020}} |League Two |39 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 3{{efn|name=EFT}} | 2 | 45 | 4 | |
| rowspan="4"|Barrow
|2022–23{{Soccerbase season|id=44029|season=2022|accessdate=2 August 2020}} |League Two |39 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 3{{efn|name=EFT}} | 1 | 44 | 1 | |
| 2023–24{{Soccerbase season|id=44029|season=2023|accessdate=2 August 2020}}
|League Two |43 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2{{efn|name=EFT}} | 0 | 48 | 4 | |
| 2024–25{{Soccerbase season|id=44029|season=2024|accessdate=30 April 2025}}
|League Two |34 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2{{efn|name=EFT}} | 1 | 39 | 4 | |
| colspan="2"|Total
!116||7||4||0||4||0||7||2||131||9 | ||||||||||
| colspan="3"|Career total
!576 | 68 | 27 | 2 | 15 | 1 | 39 | 8 | 657 | 79 |
{{notelist}}
Honours
Newport County
- Conference South: 2009–10{{citation needed|date=August 2019}}
- FA Trophy runner-up: 2011–12
Yeovil Town
Individual
- Yeovil Town Player of the Year (Western Gazette): 2014–15
- St Mirren Player of the Year: 2019–20
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
{{Commons category}}
- {{Soccerbase}}
{{Barrow A.F.C. squad}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Foley, Sam}}
Category:Footballers from St Albans
Category:English men's footballers
Category:English people of Irish descent
Category:Republic of Ireland men's association footballers
Category:Republic of Ireland men's youth international footballers
Category:Men's association football midfielders
Category:Cheltenham Town F.C. players
Category:Bath City F.C. players
Category:Kidderminster Harriers F.C. players
Category:Redditch United F.C. players
Category:Newport County A.F.C. players
Category:Yeovil Town F.C. players
Category:Shrewsbury Town F.C. players
Category:Port Vale F.C. players
Category:Northampton Town F.C. players
Category:St Mirren F.C. players
Category:Motherwell F.C. players
Category:Tranmere Rovers F.C. players
Category:Barrow A.F.C. players
Category:National League (English football) players
Category:English Football League players
Category:Scottish Professional Football League players