Sam Hird
{{Short description|English footballer (born 1987)}}
{{for|the American football player|Sam Hurd}}
{{use British English|date=July 2013}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2023}}
{{Infobox football biography
| name = Sam Hird
| image = SamHird4.jpg
| caption = Hird playing for Chesterfield in 2016
| fullname = Adrian Samuel Hird{{cite web |url=https://www.efl.com/siteassets/efl-documents/202021/efl-squad-numbering-11.09.2020.pdf |title=Notification of shirt numbers: Barrow |publisher=English Football League |page=6 |accessdate=17 September 2020}}
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|df=y|1987|9|7}}{{cite book|editor1-first=Glenda|editor1-last=Rollin|editor2-first=Jack|editor2-last=Rollin|title=Sky Sports Football Yearbook 2012–2013|year=2012|publisher=Headline|location=London|isbn=978-0-7553-6356-8|page=465|edition=43rd}}
| birth_place = Doncaster, England
| height = {{height|m=1.83}}{{cite book |editor-first=Barry J. |editor-last=Hugman |title=The PFA Footballers' Who's Who 2009–10 |year=2009 |publisher=Mainstream Publishing |location=Edinburgh |isbn=978-1-84596-474-0}}
| currentclub =
| position = Centre back / Defensive midfielder
| youthyears1 = {{0|0000}}–1997
| youthclubs1 = Aston Villa
| youthyears2 = 1997–2005
| youthclubs2 = Leeds United
| years1 = 2005–2007
| clubs1 = Leeds United
| caps1 = 0
| goals1 = 0
| years2 = 2007
| clubs2 = → Doncaster Rovers (loan)
| caps2 = 5
| goals2 = 0
| years3 = 2007–2012
| clubs3 = Doncaster Rovers
| caps3 = 161
| goals3 = 1
| years4 = 2007–2008
| clubs4 = → Grimsby Town (loan)
| caps4 = 17
| goals4 = 0
| years5 = 2012–2018
| clubs5 = Chesterfield
| caps5 = 237
| goals5 = 10
| years6 = 2018–2019
| clubs6 = Alfreton Town
| caps6 = 3
| goals6 = 0
| years7 = 2019–2021
| clubs7 = Barrow
| caps7 = 59
| goals7 = 1
| totalcaps = 472
| totalgoals = 12
| manageryears1 = 2021–2022
| managerclubs1 = Bolton Wanderers Reserves
}}
Adrian Samuel Hird (born 7 September 1987) is an English football coach and former professional footballer.
As a player he was central defender or defensive midfielder and notably had lengthy spells with both Doncaster Rovers and Chesterfield. He also played for Grimsby Town, Alfreton Town and Barrow.
Playing career
=Leeds United=
Born in Norton, Doncaster, South Yorkshire, Hird signed terms with Aston Villa at a young age after catching the eyes of scouts, before moving on to sign for the Leeds United Academy at the age of ten.{{cite web|title=Sam Hird Bio|url=http://www.chesterfield-fc.co.uk/news/article/20120622-sam-hird-bio-186200.aspx|website=Chesterfield FC|accessdate=31 July 2014|archive-date=29 May 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160529134153/http://www.chesterfield-fc.co.uk/news/article/20120622-sam-hird-bio-186200.aspx|url-status=dead}} Hird initially played as a striker before being developed into a defender at Leeds. He captained the youth and reserve sides before moving on.
=Doncaster Rovers=
Hird was signed by Doncaster Rovers on a three-month loan from Leeds United in February 2007.{{cite news
| title = Doncaster capture Hird from Leeds
| url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/d/doncaster/6347877.stm
| publisher = BBC Sport
| date = 9 February 2007
| accessdate = 2 July 2007}} He was released by Leeds at the end of the 2006–07 season and was signed by Doncaster Rovers on 2 July 2007.{{cite news
| title = Quartet are shown door by Leeds
| url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/l/leeds_united/6657501.stm
| publisher = BBC Sport
| date = 15 May 2007
| accessdate = 2 July 2007}}{{cite news
| title = Sullivan and Hird join Doncaster
| url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/d/doncaster/6768253.stm
| publisher = BBC Sport
| date = 2 July 2007
| accessdate = 2 July 2007}} He joined Grimsby Town on a month's loan in November 2007.{{cite news
| title = Grimsby sign Doncaster defender
| url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/g/grimsby_town/7104374.stm
| publisher = BBC Sport
| date = 21 November 2007
| accessdate = 21 November 2007}} This was extended for a second month in December.{{cite news
| title = Hird extends Grimsby loan spell
| url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/g/grimsby_town/7151916.stm
| publisher = BBC Sport
| date = 19 December 2007
| accessdate = 19 December 2007}}
Hird broke into the Doncaster side late in the 2007–08 season after an injury crisis hit Rovers in defence. Hird put in several impressive performances and was part of the side that beat Leeds United (his former club) 1–0 at Wembley Stadium in the League One play-off final to win promotion to the Championship.
Hird formed an impressive partnership with Matt Mills in Rovers first season in the Championship. He has been in and out of the team over the years, but was always seen as a dependable squad player in a very impressive rovers team. In 2011 Hird once again signed a contract extension, this time for an extra year. In May 2012, Hird was released by the club, after turning down the offer of a new contract to join Chesterfield.{{cite news|title=Dozen depart from Rovers|url=http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/12691/7765073/Dozen-depart-from-Rovers|publisher=Sky Sports|date=18 May 2012}}
=Chesterfield=
On 2 June 2012 he agreed a 2-year deal with Chesterfield,{{cite web| url = http://www.chesterfield-fc.co.uk/page/ClubAnnouncements/0,,10435~2795992,00.html| url-status = dead| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120606013911/http://www.chesterfield-fc.co.uk/page/ClubAnnouncements/0,,10435~2795992,00.html| archive-date = 2012-06-06| title = Chesterfield {{!}} News {{!}} Club Announcements {{!}} Club Announcements {{!}} Sam Hird set to join the Spireites}} and was immediately given the captain's armband. On 16 May 2014, Hird signed a new contract with the Spireites. In July 2014 Hird played a key role in his club's 3–1 pre-season win against his first club, Aston Villa of the Premier League, scoring the first goal in a 3–1 win.{{cite news|title=Paul Lambert's men slip to defeat|publisher=BBC Sport|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/28570278|accessdate=31 July 2014}} Hird signed a new deal keeping him at the 'Spireites' until the summer of 2017 after a successful first season with the club in League One after reaching the play-offs.
After the 2015–16 season, Hird was named Chesterfield's Player of the Year, as well as winning the additional Player of the Year awards from several club sponsors and local newspapers.{{cite web|title=Player of the Year Awards: Full List of Winners |url=http://www.chesterfield-fc.co.uk/news/article/player-of-the-year-awards-full-list-of-winners-3107879.aspx#Xvr1AQLMFOm7kFtR.99 |website=Chesterfield FC |access-date=11 May 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180512181729/https://www.chesterfield-fc.co.uk/news/2016/may/player-of-the-year-awards-full-list-of-winners/ |archive-date=12 May 2018 |url-status=dead}} Hird missed a large part of the 2017–18 season through injury, in which Chesterfield were relegated. He was released by Chesterfield at the end of the 2017–18 season after making over 230 appearances during a 6-year period.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/44074524|title=Ian Evatt: Chesterfield release veteran defender after spell in caretaker charge|date=11 May 2018|accessdate=11 May 2018|publisher=BBC Sport}}
On 22 October 2018, Hird joined National League North side Alfreton Town on a month to month contract in order to gain match fitness after a long spell out injured.{{cite web|url=http://nonleaguedaily.com/alfreton-sign-ex-chesterfield-man-hird/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181022221209/http://nonleaguedaily.com/alfreton-sign-ex-chesterfield-man-hird/|url-status=usurped|archive-date=22 October 2018|title=Alfreton sign ex-Chesterfield man Hird|website=nonleaguedaily.com|date=22 October 2018|accessdate=6 December 2018}}
=Barrow=
On 8 January 2019, Hird joined National League side Barrow on a free transfer from Alfreton Town.
The following season, Hird gained promotion back to the Football League as Barrow were crowned champions under the guide of the player's former teammate Ian Evatt.
In their first season back in the EFL, Hird was a regular for the Cumbrian side under David Dunn, then captaining the side under caretaker manager Rob Kelly over the Christmas period, when a good run of results put the club in a healthy position before appointing Michael Jolley as new manager. Jolley oversaw a huge turnaround of players in the January window, whilst also dropping a number of players from the squad, including Hird himself. After losing 5 of his first 8 games in charge, Jolley was sacked by the Cumbrian club and Rob Kelly once again took over as caretaker manager, with the difficult task of keeping the Cumbrians in the EFL. Hird became Kelly's assistant for the remainder of the season, and Barrow succeeded in maintaining their spot in League Two, being five points above the relegation zone.{{Cite web|title=Wanderers Appoint Sam Hird as First Team Coach|url=https://www.bwfc.co.uk/news/2021/july/wanderers-appoint-sam-hird-as-first-team-coach/|access-date=2021-07-06|website=bwfc.co.uk|language=en-gb}} Hird eventually decided to retire from his playing career, aged 33.
Coaching career
In January 2018, Hird began studying for his UEFA B coaching licence, along with ex teammate Tommy Lee,{{Cite web|url=https://www.derbyshiretimes.co.uk/sport/football/chesterfield-fc/hird-joins-forces-with-ex-spireites-as-he-takes-first-steps-towards-management-1-8940962|title=Hird joins forces with ex Spireites as he takes first steps towards management|date=7 January 2018 }} and gained it in January 2019. As of 2022 Hird is a UEFA A licence coach.
=Barrow=
Hird took over as assistant manager to Rob Kelly at Barrow towards the end of February 2021, with the club being at the bottom of the League Two table, and eventually helped the club keep their spot.
=Bolton Wanderers=
On 2 July 2021, Hird joined League One side Bolton Wanderers as first team coach, linking up once again with former teammate and Manager Ian Evatt. He also stepped in as the Manager of Bolton's 'B' team.[https://www.theboltonnews.co.uk/sport/19415448.bolton-confirm-ex-barrow-man-ian-evatts-new-first-team-coach/ The Bolton News: "Bolton confirm ex-Barrow man as Ian Evatt's new first-team coach"] On 27 May 2022, his role as Bolton Wanderers 'B' team Manager was taken over by Matt Craddock with Hird solely focusing as first team coach.[https://www.bwfc.co.uk/news/2022/may/key-academy-appointments-confirmed/ BWFC: "Key Academy Appointments Confirmed"] In November 2022 he turned down the York City Manager's role, preferring to stay in his coaching role at Bolton.[https://www.theboltonnews.co.uk/sport/23160911.bolton-wanderers-coach-sam-hird-rejects-york-city-job-offer/ The Bolton News: "Bolton Wanderers coach Sam Hird rejects York City job offer"] He left his role at Bolton on 30 September 2023, having accepted a role at the Professional Footballers' Association.[https://www.bwfc.co.uk/news/hird-end-successful-stay HIRD TO END SUCCESSFUL STAY]
Career statistics
{{notelist}}
Honours
Doncaster Rovers
- Football League One play-offs: 2008{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_2/7418498.stm |title=Doncaster 1–0 Leeds |author=Aimee Lewis |publisher=BBC Sport |date=25 May 2008 |access-date=23 November 2023}}
- Football League Trophy: 2006–07
Chesterfield
- Football League Two: 2013–14
- Football League Trophy runner-up: 2013–14
Barrow
Individual
- Chesterfield Player of the Year: 2015–16
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- [https://web.archive.org/web/20110811051211/http://www.doncasterroversfc.co.uk/page/ProfilesDetail/0,,10329~36920,00.html Sam Hird player profile] at doncasterroversfc.co.uk
- {{Soccerbase}}
{{Chesterfield F.C. Player of the Year}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Hird, Sam}}
Category:Sportspeople from the Metropolitan Borough of Doncaster
Category:Footballers from South Yorkshire
Category:Men's association football defenders
Category:English men's footballers
Category:Leeds United F.C. players
Category:Doncaster Rovers F.C. players
Category:Grimsby Town F.C. players
Category:Chesterfield F.C. players
Category:Alfreton Town F.C. players
Category:Barrow A.F.C. players
Category:English Football League players
Category:National League (English football) players
Category:Barrow A.F.C. non-playing staff