Sam Hornby
{{short description|English footballer}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2019}}
{{Use British English|date=September 2019}}
{{Infobox football biography
| name = Sam Hornby
| image =
| caption =
| fullname = Samuel Connor Hornby{{cite web|title=Retained List 2016-17|url=https://www.efl.com/siteassets/efl-documents/efl-released-and-retained-list---2016-17.pdf|publisher=English Football League|accessdate=13 June 2017}}
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1995|02|2|df=y}}{{cite web |title=FootballSquads - Port Vale - 2018/2019 |url=http://www.footballsquads.co.uk/eng/2018-2019/fltwo/portv.htm |website=www.footballsquads.co.uk |access-date=1 February 2021}}
| birth_place = Birmingham, England
| position = Goalkeeper
| currentclub = Walsall
| clubnumber = 12
| youthyears1 = 200?–2009| youthclubs1 = Walsall
| youthyears2 = 2011–2013| youthclubs2 = Hednesford Town
| youthyears3 = 2013–2015| youthclubs3 = Redditch United
| years1 = 2015–2017| clubs1 = Burton Albion | caps1 = 0| goals1 = 0
| years2 = 2015–2016| clubs2 = → Brackley Town (loan) | caps2 = 29| goals2 = 0
| years3 = 2016–2017| clubs3 = → Kidderminster Harriers (loan)| caps3 = 34| goals3 = 0
| years4 = 2017–2019| clubs4 = Port Vale | caps4 = 11| goals4 = 0
| years5 = 2017–2018| clubs5 = → Chester (loan) | caps5 = 13| goals5 = 0
| years6 = 2019–2022| clubs6 = Bradford City | caps6 = 24| goals6 = 0
| years7 = 2019–2020| clubs7 = → AFC Fylde (loan) | caps7 = 16| goals7 = 0
| years8 = 2022 | clubs8 = → Colchester United (loan) | caps8 = 8| goals8 = 0
| years9 = 2022–2024| clubs9 = Colchester United | caps9 = 18| goals9 = 0
| years10 = 2023 | clubs10= → Solihull Moors (loan) | caps10= 3| goals10= 0
| years11 = 2024– | clubs11= Walsall | caps11= 6| goals11= 0
| club-update = 23:37, 13 May 2025 (UTC)
}}
Samuel Connor Hornby (born 2 February 1995) is an English professional footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for {{English football updater|Walsall}} club Walsall.
Hornby spent his youth with Hednesford Town and Redditch United before turning professional at Burton Albion in June 2015. He spent the 2015–16 and 2016–17 seasons on loan at Brackley Town and Kidderminster Harriers respectively before he was transferred to Port Vale in June 2017. He was loaned out to Chester in December 2017 and left the club permanently to sign for Bradford City in May 2019. He was loaned out to AFC Fylde in October 2019 and Colchester United in January 2022 before joining Colchester permanently six months later. From Colchester, he was loaned to Solihull Moors in November 2023. He joined Walsall in July 2024.
Career
=Burton Albion=
Hornby played for the youth teams at Hednesford Town and Redditch United before turning professional after signing a one-year contract with Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink's Burton Albion in June 2015.{{cite news|title=Footballer thanks his former Sutton Coldfield college after signing Burton Albion contract|url=http://www.suttoncoldfieldobserver.co.uk/sutton-coldfield-footballer-s-dreams-come-true/story-26700425-detail/story.html|accessdate=22 June 2017|work=Sutton Coldfield Observer|date=15 June 2015}} He joined National League North side Brackley Town on an initial one-month loan in October 2015, and went on to remain an ever-present for the rest of the 2015–16 season as the "Saints" successfully avoided relegation. Brackley manager Kevin Wilkin named him as his Player of the Season, and Hornby also picked up the club's player's Player of the Season award.{{cite news|last1=Willis|first1=Ash|title=Sam Hornby Named Brackley Town's Player of the Season|url=https://www.burtonalbionfc.co.uk/news/2016/april/sam-hornby-named-brackley-towns-player-of-the-season/|accessdate=22 June 2017|work=burtonalbionfc.co.uk|date=18 April 2016}}
Speaking in May 2016, Nigel Clough said that "he's impressed us very much since we've come in", and "the plan with him is to get him out on loan, if we can do, to League Two or the National League".{{cite news|last1=Wilkinson|first1=Ashley|title=Burton Albion look for League Two loan move for keeper Sam Hornby|url=http://www.burtonmail.co.uk/goalkeeper-sam-hornby-play-football-league/story-29334444-detail/story.html|accessdate=22 June 2017|work=Burton Mail|date=29 May 2016}} He returned on loan to the National League North in June 2016 with newly relegated club Kidderminster Harriers.{{cite news|title=Young but experienced shot-stopper Sam Hornby signs for Harriers|url=http://www.harriers.co.uk/news/article/young-but-experienced-shot-stopper-sam-hornby-signs-for-harriers-3158457.aspx|accessdate=22 June 2017|work=harriers.co.uk|date=27 June 2016|archive-date=26 August 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160826232010/http://www.harriers.co.uk/news/article/young-but-experienced-shot-stopper-sam-hornby-signs-for-harriers-3158457.aspx|url-status=dead}} Harriers ended the 2016–17 season in second place, and lost out to Chorley in the play-off semi-finals; manager John Eustace praised Hornby's performance in the play-offs.{{cite news|last1=Spinks|first1=Martin|title=Old Stoke City favourite goes into play-off battle as boss|url=http://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/ex-stoke-city-midfielder-john-eustace-now-orchestrating-from-the-sidelines-in-huge-clash/story-30314789-detail/story.html|accessdate=22 June 2017|work=Stoke Sentinel|date=5 May 2017}}
=Port Vale=
Hornby signed a two-year contract with EFL League Two club Port Vale in June 2017.{{cite news|last1=Baggaley|first1=Mike|title=Port Vale sign goalkeeper Sam Hornby from Burton Albion|url=http://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/port-vale-sign-burton-albion-goalkeeper-sam-hornby/story-30402891-detail/story.html|accessdate=22 June 2017|work=Stoke Sentinel|date=21 June 2017}}{{Dead link|date=September 2023 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} He faced competition for the first-team spot from Rob Lainton, Ryan Boot, and Joe Slinn.{{cite news|last1=Baggaley|first1=Mike|title=Sam Hornby relishing battle for first-team spot at Port Vale|url=http://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/sam-hornby-relishing-battle-for-first-team-spot-at-port-vale/story-30404490-detail/story.html|accessdate=22 June 2017|work=Stoke Sentinel|date=22 June 2017}} He made his debut for the "Valiants" in the first round of the EFL Cup on 9 August, coming on for Lainton – who had suffered a serious thigh injury – at half-time during a 4–1 defeat to Leeds United at Elland Road.{{cite news|title=Leeds United 4-1 Port Vale|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/40798475|accessdate=11 August 2017|work=BBC Sport|date=9 August 2017}} He made his debut in the English Football League three days later, in a 3–2 loss to Wycombe Wanderers at Vale Park, and with Hornby conceding six goals within the space of 135 minutes, manager Michael Brown said that he was considering signing a new goalkeeper as Hornby was thrown "in the deep end" despite being "a young boy" with "a good future."{{cite news|last1=Baggaley|first1=Mike|title=Port Vale boss Michael Brown weighs up move for keeper|url=http://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/port-vale-boss-michael-brown-weighs-up-move-for-keeper/story-30481325-detail/story.html|accessdate=16 August 2017|work=Stoke Sentinel|date=14 August 2017}} Hornby picked up an injury in October and was ruled out of action for six weeks.{{cite news|last1=Baggaley|first1=Michael|title=Port Vale reveal Sam Hornby injury news|url=http://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/sport/football/port-vale-reveal-sam-hornby-637657|accessdate=18 October 2017|work=Stoke Sentinel|date=17 October 2017}} On 7 December, he joined National League club Chester on an initial one-month loan.{{cite news|last1=Baggaley|first1=Michael|title=Port Vale keeper Sam Hornby joins Chester on loan|url=http://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/sport/football/port-vale-keeper-sam-hornby-893657|accessdate=16 December 2017|work=Stoke Sentinel|date=7 December 2017}} "Blues" manager Marcus Bignot signed Hornby to provide competition for Alex Lynch, following the departure of back-up goalkeeper Nathan Vaughan.{{cite news|last1=Powell|first1=Dave|title=Chester FC seal loan signing of Port Vale goalkeeper|url=https://www.chesterchronicle.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/chester-fc-close-loan-capture-14008076|accessdate=16 December 2017|work=Chester Chronicle|date=7 December 2017}} Having established himself in the "Seals" first-team, the loan deal was initially extended by a further month, and then until the end of the 2017–18 season.{{cite news|last1=Wheelock|first1=Paul|title=Chester FC confirm the signing of Gary Roberts|url=https://www.chesterchronicle.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/chester-fc-confirm-signing-gary-14131135|accessdate=10 January 2018|work=Chester Chronicle|date=9 January 2018}}{{cite news|last1=Baggaley|first1=Michael|title=Port Vale keeper Sam Hornby extends loan at Chester FC|url=http://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/sport/football/port-vale-keeper-sam-hornby-1148205|accessdate=1 February 2018|work=Stoke Sentinel|date=31 January 2018}} However, he was recalled by Port Vale manager Neil Aspin on 26 February after Lainton picked up an injury.{{cite news|last1=Baggaley|first1=Michael|title=Port Vale recall Sam Hornby as Rob Lainton injury adds to club's keeper troubles|url=https://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/sport/football/port-vale-recall-sam-hornby-1266058|accessdate=26 February 2018|work=Stoke Sentinel|date=26 February 2018}} He got his chance to stake a first-team place under Aspin after Boot picked up an injury at the start of April.{{cite news|last1=Smith|first1=Peter|title=Sam Hornby told to stake his claim as Port Vale number one|url=https://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/port-vale-sam-hornby-crawley-1422971|accessdate=5 April 2018|work=Stoke Sentinel|date=5 April 2018}} He played well in the end of season run-in to help the club to avoid relegation, leading Aspin to say that "now he has proved a point and now he puts himself in a really good position to compete for the number one jersey next season."{{cite news|last1=Baggaley|first1=Michael|title=Sam Hornby has played his way into Neil Aspin's Port Vale plans for next season|url=https://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/sport/football/sam-hornby-played-way-neil-1463481|accessdate=17 April 2018|work=Stoke Sentinel|date=17 April 2018}}
Despite playing well in pre-season friendlies, he began the 2018–19 season as back-up to experienced new signing Scott Brown, and was limited to appearances in the group stages of the EFL Trophy.{{cite news |last1=Baggaley |first1=Michael |title=Port Vale's Neil Aspin happy with keeper options as Sam Hornby stakes claim |url=https://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/port-vales-neil-aspin-happy-2099916 |accessdate=12 October 2018 |work=Stoke Sentinel |date=12 October 2018}} Brown went on to be named as the club's Player of the Year whilst Hornby was restricted to reserve team matches despite impressing in those games.{{cite news |last1=Baggaley |first1=Michael |title=Excellent but unlucky - what next for Port Vale's out-of-contract Sam Hornby |url=https://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/sam-hornby-port-vale-contract-2821855 |accessdate=2 May 2019 |work=Stoke Sentinel |date=1 May 2019}}
=Bradford City=
In May 2019, after rejecting a new contract offer from Port Vale, Hornby signed a two-year contract with fellow League Two club Bradford City.{{cite web|url=https://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/vale-transfer-news-hornby-bradford-2928243|title=Goalkeeper rejects Port Vale contract offer to join League Two rivals|first=Keith|last=Wales|date=31 May 2019|website=stokesentinel}}{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/48473728|title=Sam Hornby: Goalkeeper joins Bradford City from Port Vale on a two-year deal|date=31 May 2019|website=BBC Sport}} He made his debut for the "Bantams" in the EFL Cup on 13 August, in a 4–0 defeat to Preston North End at Valley Parade.{{cite news |title=Bradford City 0-4 Preston North End: Lilywhites cruise into Carabao Cup second round |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/49245377 |accessdate=7 October 2019 |work=BBC Sport |date=13 August 2019}} He made his second appearance in the EFL Trophy on 3 September, helping Bradford to beat Bolton Wanderers 4–3 on penalties following a 1–1 draw.{{cite news |title=Bolton 1-1 Bradford (3-4 on pens): Wanderers celebrate despite Leasing.com Trophy defeat |url=https://www.skysports.com/football/bolton-vs-bradford/418946 |accessdate=7 October 2019 |work=Sky Sports |date=3 September 2019 |language=en}} He moved on loan to AFC Fylde on 7 October after manager Gary Bowyer wanted Hornby to play regular football rather than sit on the bench as cover for Richard O'Donnell.{{Cite web|url=https://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/sport/17952289.city-keeper-hornby-signs-afc-fylde-loan/|title=City keeper Hornby goes out on loan|website=Bradford Telegraph and Argus|date=7 October 2019 }} Dave Challinor stated that he brought Hornby to the "Coasters" after goalkeepers James Montgomery and Dan Lavercombe suffered a loss of confidence following Fylde's record of 29 goals conceded in the opening 15 games of the National League season.{{cite news |title=New AFC Fylde goalkeeper Sam Hornby set for debut against Chesterfield after loan move from Bradford |url=https://www.lythamstannesexpress.co.uk/sport/football/new-afc-fylde-goalkeeper-sam-hornby-set-for-debut-against-chesterfield-after-loan-move-from-bradford-1-10038632 |accessdate=7 October 2019|first=Andy|last=Moore|work=Lytham St Annes Express |date=7 October 2019 |language=en}}
Hornby played 21 games in the 2020–21 season, which proved a difficult campaign for the club and one which he described as "a real mixed bag and a test of character" after he replaced an injured Richard O'Donnell in the starting eleven.{{cite news |last1=Parker |first1=Simon |title=Hornby's mixed emotions over Bradford City's up-and-down season |url=https://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/sport/19283751.hornby-presses-claims-mixed-bag-season-bantams/ |access-date=12 May 2021 |work=Bradford Telegraph and Argus |date=6 May 2021 |language=en}} Joint-managers Mark Trueman and Conor Sellars signed Will Huffer from Bradford (Park Avenue) in January to provide back-up for Hornby rather than attempting to bring in an experienced goalkeeper to replace him in the starting line-up.{{cite news |last1=Rayner |first1=Stuart |title=Bradford City sign goalkeeper Will Huffer but Sam Hornby will be their new No 1 |url=https://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/sport/football/bradford-city-sign-goalkeeper-will-huffer-sam-hornby-will-be-their-new-no-1-3089124 |access-date=12 May 2021 |work=www.yorkshirepost.co.uk |date=7 January 2021 |language=en}} On 12 May 2021, he was one of four players offered a new contract by Bradford City.{{Cite web|url=https://www.bradfordcityfc.co.uk/news/2021/may/nine-bantams-to-depart/|title=Nine Bantams to Depart|website=www.bradfordcityfc.co.uk}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/sport/19296490.bradford-city-release-nine-players-contracts-expire/|title=City wave goodbye to nine - including long-serving defensive duo|website=Bradford Telegraph and Argus|date=12 May 2021 }} Manager Derek Adams signed Alex Bass on loan from Portsmouth in January 2023, which was enough to convince Hornby that it was time to leave the club.{{cite news |last1=Parker |first1=Simon |title="I remember telling my girlfriend, 'am I XXXX or something?' She just laughed at me" |url=https://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/sport/sportlatest/23130675.former-bradford-city-keeper-hornby-quit-valley-parade/ |access-date=11 May 2023 |work=Bradford Telegraph and Argus |date=17 November 2022 |language=en}}
=Colchester United=
Having featured nine times for Bradford during the first half of the campaign, he joined League Two rivals Colchester United on loan until the end of the 2021–22 season on 31 January 2022; "U's" manager Wayne Brown required goalkeeper cover following suspension to Shamal George, injury concerns with Dean Gerken and the inexperience of Ted Collins.{{cite news |last1=Waldron |first1=Jonathan |title=DEADLINE DAY: U's sign Sam Hornby on loan from Bradford City |url=https://www.gazette-news.co.uk/news/19887885.colchester-united-signed-sam-hornby-loan-bradford-city/ |access-date=31 January 2022 |work=Gazette |date=31 January 2022 |language=en}} He made a good impression at the Colchester Community Stadium, being named in the League Two Team of the Week for the final of his eight appearances, leading to speculation that he would be a summer transfer target.{{cite news |last1=Waldron |first1=Jonathan |title=Sam Hornby likely to be on U's 'radar' when summer transfer window opens |url=https://www.gazette-news.co.uk/news/20107886.colchester-united-make-sam-hornby-deal-permanent/ |access-date=22 May 2022 |work=Gazette |date=2 May 2022 |language=en}}{{cite news |last1=Waldron |first1=Jonathan |title=Sam Hornby sends message to U's after loan spell ends |url=https://www.gazette-news.co.uk/news/20123703.colchester-united-loanee-sam-hornby-returns-bradford-city/ |access-date=22 May 2022 |work=Gazette |date=9 May 2022 |language=en}}
His loan spell was made into a permanent one on 28 June after an undisclosed fee was agreed; he signed a two-year contract with Colchester.{{cite news |last1=Carmichael |first1=Andy |title=Sam Hornby Rejoins U's |url=https://www.cu-fc.com/news/2022/june/sam-hornby-rejoins/ |access-date=18 August 2022 |work=www.cu-fc.com |date=28 June 2022 |language=en-gb}} He said that he was looking forward to battling with George for a first-team place in the 2022–23 campaign.{{cite news |last1=Waldron |first1=Jonathan |title=Sam Hornby vows to compete with Shamal George to be U's number one |url=https://www.gazette-news.co.uk/news/20242087.colchester-united-new-boy-sam-hornby-goalkeeper-battle/ |access-date=18 August 2022 |work=Gazette |date=29 June 2022 |language=en}} However, he picked up an injury. He underwent surgery to repair a SLAP tear (Superior Labrum from Anterior to Posterior tear) and a partial tear of his rotation cuff in his shoulder, which saw him miss the second half of the campaign.{{cite news |last1=Waldron |first1=Johnathan |title=Colchester suffer double injury setback |url=https://www.gazette-news.co.uk/news/23286763.colchester-united-hit-injuries-sam-hornby-ted-collins/ |access-date=11 May 2023 |work=Gazette |date=30 January 2023 |language=en}} Manager Matt Bloomfield signed Tom Smith on loan from Arsenal as cover in the January transfer window.{{cite news |title=Colchester sign Arsenal keeper Smith on loan |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/64451961 |access-date=11 May 2023 |work=BBC Sport |date=30 January 2023}}
On 15 November 2023, Hornby joined National League club Solihull Moors on loan until January 2024, after Moors had loanee Tommy Simkin recalled to his parent club.{{cite web|url=https://www.solihullmoorsfc.co.uk/news/posts/sam-hornby-sighs-for-solihull-moors-on-short-term-loan/|title=Sam Hornby signs for Solihull Moors on short-term loan!|website=www.solihullmoorsfc.co.uk|date=15 November 2023|accessdate=15 November 2023}} However, he was recalled early from his loan by Colchester manager Matthew Etherington on 14 December after having kept one clean sheet in four games for Solihull.{{cite news |title=FOOTBALL – Solihull Moors on-loan goalkeeper Sam Hornby recalled by Colchester |url=https://solihullobserver.co.uk/sport/football-solihull-moors-goalkeeper-sam-hornby-recalled-by-colchester/ |access-date=26 March 2024 |work=Solihull Observer |date=14 December 2023 |language=en}}{{cite news |last1=Carmichael |first1=Andy |title=Sam Hornby Recalled |url=https://www.cu-fc.com/news/2023/december/sam-hornby-recalled/ |access-date=26 March 2024 |work=www.cu-fc.com |date=14 December 2023 |language=en-gb}} He remained as Owen Goodman's understudy until he was returned to the Colchester first XI by new manager Danny Cowley at the end of the 2023–24 season.{{cite news |last1=Waldron |first1=Jonathan |title=Sam Hornby happy to seize his chance with U's after 'challenging' season |url=https://www.gazette-news.co.uk/news/24266211.colchester-united-keeper-sam-hornby-challenging-season/ |access-date=8 May 2024 |work=Gazette |date=19 April 2024 |language=en}} United narrowly avoided relegation and Horby said he would love to be kept on at the club.{{cite news |last1=Waldron |first1=Jonathan |title=Sam Hornby hoping for Colchester United stay ahead of contract news |url=https://www.gazette-news.co.uk/news/24284312.colchester-united-keeper-sam-hornby/ |access-date=8 May 2024 |work=Gazette |date=29 April 2024 |language=en}} However, he was one of four players released by the club upon the expiry of his contract.{{cite news |title=Colchester United: John Akinde among four players released |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/ck5k0nyg78xo |access-date=8 May 2024 |work=BBC Sport |date=8 May 2024}}
In June 2024, Horby began training with Chesterfield at their pre-season training camp in Spain.{{cite news |last1=Norcliffe |first1=Liam |title=Former Colchester United, Bradford City and Port Vale goalkeeper training with Chesterfield |url=https://www.derbyshiretimes.co.uk/sport/football/former-colchester-united-bradford-city-and-port-vale-goalkeeper-training-with-chesterfield-4676188 |access-date=25 June 2024 |work=Derbyshire Times |date=23 June 2024}} He had trials with Southend United and Walsall the following month.{{cite news |last1=Norcliffe |first1=Liam |title=Goalkeeper plays for National League side after training with Chesterfield |url=https://www.derbyshiretimes.co.uk/sport/football/goalkeeper-plays-for-national-league-side-after-training-with-chesterfield-4701965 |access-date=14 July 2024 |work=Derbyshire Times |date=14 July 2024}}{{cite news |last1=Bennett |first1=George |title=Walsall set for talks with trialist |url=https://www.expressandstar.com/sport/football/walsall-fc/2024/07/22/walsall-set-for-talks-with-trialist/ |access-date=22 July 2024 |work=Express and Star |date=22 July 2024 |language=en}}
=Walsall=
On 24 July 2024, Hornby joined Walsall on a permanent one-year deal having impressed on his trial period; he had previously spent time with the club's academy before his departure aged 14.{{cite web|url=https://www.saddlers.co.uk/news/2024/july/24/sam-hornby-signs-one-year-deal-with-the-saddlers/|title=Sam Horny signs one-year deal with the Saddlers|publisher= Walsall FC|date=24 July 2024|accessdate=24 July 2024}} Manager Mat Sadler said that "It's one we've been really careful about who we put alongside Tommy (Simkin) and Sam is the perfect one".{{cite news |title=Sam Hornby: Walsall sign goalkeeper on one-year contract |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/cgl7pgl5x5do |access-date=24 July 2024 |work=BBC Sport |date=24 July 2024}} Simkin started in the league at the start of the 2024–25 season, though Hornby saved three penalties in two EFL Trophy games.{{cite news |last1=Baggaley |first1=Mike |title=Heading in the right direction |url=https://portvalethevaliant.substack.com/p/heading-in-the-right-direction |access-date=20 September 2024 |work=Valiant's Substack |date=19 September 2024}} He started in the league when Simkin was away on international duty.{{cite news |last1=Bennett |first1=George |title=Walsall back Sam Hornby amid Tommy Simkin international call-up |url=https://www.expressandstar.com/sport/2025/03/18/walsall-back-sam-hornby-amid-tommy-simkin-international-call-up/ |access-date=13 May 2025 |work=Express and Star |date=18 March 2025 |language=en}} He was named Walsall's PFA Community Champion for the 2024–25 season.{{cite news |title=Sam Hornby named PFA Community Champion for 2024/25 |url=https://www.saddlers.co.uk/news/2025/may/12/sam-hornby-named-pfa-community-champion-for-2024-25/ |access-date=13 May 2025 |work=Walsall FC |date=12 May 2025}} He was an unused substitute in the 2025 League Two play-off final at Wembley Stadium, where Walsall were beaten 1–0 by AFC Wimbledon.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/live/c62nd4lrlm6t#Line-ups |title=AFC Wimbledon 1–0 Walsall: Line-ups |website=BBC Sport |date=26 May 2025 |access-date=26 May 2025}}
Career statistics
{{updated|match played 5 April 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"|FA Cup !colspan="2"|League Cup !colspan="2"|Other !colspan="2"|Total | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | |
| rowspan="3"|Burton Albion
|2015–16{{Soccerbase season|id=86074|season=2015|accessdate=1 January 2017}} |0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||
| 2016–17{{Soccerbase season|id=86074|season=2016|accessdate=1 January 2017}}
|0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||
| colspan="2"|Total
!0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||
| Brackley Town (loan)
|2015–16{{Soccerway|sam-hornby/278764}} |29 | 0 | 3 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 0 | 0 | 32 | 0 | |||
| Kidderminster Harriers (loan)
|2016–17{{cite web|title=Stats|url=https://www.kidderminsterharriers.com/player/Sam_Hornby|website=kidderminsterharriers.com|accessdate=22 June 2017}} |National League North |34 | 0 | 4 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 4{{efn|name=fa3|Two appearances in the FA Trophy and two in the National League North play-offs}} | 0 | 42 | 0 | |||
| rowspan="3"|Port Vale
|2017–18{{Soccerbase season|id=86074|season=2017|accessdate=1 June 2017}} |11 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 12 | 0 | ||
| 2018–19{{Soccerbase season|id=86074|season=2018|accessdate=26 June 2018}} | League Two | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3{{efn|name=eft|Appearance/s in the EFL Trophy}} | 0 | 3 | 0 |
| colspan="2"|Total
!11 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 15 | 0 | ||
| Chester (loan)
|13 | 0 | 0 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 2{{efn|name=fat|Appearance/s in the FA Trophy}} | 0 | 15 | 0 | |||
| rowspan="4"|Bradford City
|2019–20{{Soccerbase season|id=86074|season=2019|accessdate=1 June 2017}} |League Two |0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1{{Efn|name=eft}} | 0 | 2 | 0 | ||
| 2020–21{{Soccerbase season|id=86074|season=2020|accessdate=1 June 2017}}
|League Two |18 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3{{Efn|name=eft}} | 0 | 21 | 0 | ||
| 2021–22{{Soccerbase season|id=86074|season=2021|accessdate=1 June 2017}}
|League Two |6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3{{Efn|name=eft}} | 0 | 9 | 0 | ||
| colspan="2"|Total
!24 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 7 | 0 | 32 | 0 | ||
| AFC Fylde (loan)
|National League |16 | 0 | 2 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 4{{efn|name=fat}} | 0 | 22 | 0 | |||
| Colchester United (loan)
|League Two |8 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 0 | ||
| rowspan="3"|Colchester United
|2022–23{{Soccerbase season|id=86074|season=2022|accessdate=1 June 2017}} |League Two |13 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2{{Efn|name=eft}} | 0 | 16 | 0 | ||
| 2023–24{{Soccerbase season|id=86074|season=2023|accessdate=1 June 2017}}
|League Two |5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1{{efn|name=eft}} | 0 | 6 | 0 | ||
| colspan="2"|Total
!26 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 30 | 0 | ||
| Solihull Moors (loan)
|National League |3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 1{{efn|name=fat}} | 0 | 4 | 0 | |||
| Walsall
|2024–25{{Soccerbase season|id=86074|season=2024|accessdate=1 June 2017}} |League Two |6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 5{{efn|name=eft}} | 0 | 12 | 0 | ||
| colspan="3"|Career total
!162 | 0 | 9 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 29 | 0 | 204 | 0 |
{{notelist}}
References
{{Reflist}}
{{Walsall F.C. squad}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Hornby, Sam}}
Category:Footballers from Birmingham, West Midlands
Category:English men's footballers
Category:Men's association football goalkeepers
Category:Hednesford Town F.C. players
Category:Redditch United F.C. players
Category:Burton Albion F.C. players
Category:Brackley Town F.C. players
Category:Kidderminster Harriers F.C. players
Category:Port Vale F.C. players
Category:Bradford City A.F.C. players
Category:Colchester United F.C. players
Category:Solihull Moors F.C. players
Category:National League (English football) players