Ex-Lincoln City youngster discusses past EFL trials and move to Aberystwyth Town

Aberystwyth Town goalkeeper Sam Green signed for the Seasiders during the summer from English side Lincoln City, after his release from the EFL League One club.

Coming in as competition for experienced goalkeeper Dave Jones, 18-year-old Green has already made two appearances in the Cymru Premier for Aber Town, as well as playing his part in Aber’s Development side.

He made his debut in a six-nil defeat to top-flight champions The New Saints, before facing Cymru Premier new boys Colwyn Bay in a 3-1 loss.

However, with so many years ahead of Green in his career, he will be looking to continue playing at the top level of Welsh football whilst in Aberystwyth in a bid to develop his career.

In an interview with Cymru Sport, Green discussed his time at academies in the EFL and his eventual move to mid-Wales.

Starting out – Sheffield United, Chesterfield and Lincoln City

The Cymru Premier is a new experience for Green, who spent the start of his career in England.

Having started out as an outfield player, he went on to play in goal for some of England’s top academies.

“I started outfield. Centre-mid or striker, for a local team, Handsworth, in Sheffield.

“I got picked up when I was nine by Sheffield United as a goalkeeper. I was at Sheffield United for about two years. I got released, they didn’t think I’d be big enough.

“It was a bit confusing at a young age.

“I signed with Chesterfield two weeks later. 

“I was there from 11 until 15. I started looking for another club because we knew that Chesterfield were not going to stay open for too long as a proper academy. I thought I was good enough to play somewhere else and get a scholarship.

“I went on trial at Lincoln and Doncaster. I got a scholar offer from Grimsby. Could have had a trial at Fulham but that didn’t go through because of COVID. A couple of other Championship clubs that didn’t end up materialising.

“I just thought I’d go to Lincoln for more of a first-team opportunity.“

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Green went on to sign for EFL League One club Lincoln City on a scholarship deal.

He trained alongside the likes of England Under 21 internationals Carl Rushworth and Josh Griffiths, who are both now playing their football in the EFL Championship, just one league away from the Premier League.

Green spoke about what it was like to be at Lincoln with Rushworth and Griffiths, as well as current Lincoln goalkeeper, Jordan Wright.

“You have to learn a lot quicker. It’s a lot less forgiving than kids football.

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“From my first year Josh Griffiths was there. He was brilliant with me, sort of like an older brother, always coaching me after the coach, giving me little tips.

“Carl (Rushworth ) and Jordan (Wright) were in. Jordan always had a positive attitude with training. He always made it competitive, always made it fun.

“Carl was a more quiet lad, but by watching him you could pick up a lot of good things from him.

“It was always a good goalkeeping environment at Lincoln.“

Green made the bench on a few occasions at the start of last season, including twice in League One against Oxford United and Peterborough United.

Whilst he didn’t go on to make an appearance for the Imps, it was a moment he won’t forget.

“It was nerve-wracking, one of those where you don’t sleep for a few nights before, even though you know you’re not going to play unless there’s a freak incident with an injury.

“All the fans, it’s a buzz you get addicted to. You want to keep getting those experiences and opportunities to be in and around first teams.

“It’s something you never really forget.“

Move to Aberystwyth Town and University Scholarship

Green’s move to Aberystwyth includes a scholarship deal with Aberystwyth University, where he will play for both the Cymru Premier side and the Uni in BUCS competitions.

He spoke about how his move to mid-Wales came about and he hopes for the season.

“Only one second year scholar got signed on a pro (at Lincoln) and he had that early. The rest got released, it was difficult to find a club.

“I went on trial in Dubai. That was my only other trial. I should have been there a month, came back after seven days. It wasn’t for me. The standard was really poor for the club I was at, it’s nothing like you’d expect.

“It was a bit of a fluke that Aber come up in a conversation. I was on a pre-season tour with Akeem (Hinds), who’s at Aber now. He said I did well there and impressed him, and he said he’d put a word in to Taff (Williams).

“Taff just said if you come down we’ll have a look at you and it just went from there really.

“It’s massive. Especially knowing I’m not going to be playing week in, week out as the first choice goalkeeper. 

“I’ve not played many men’s games, so I’m still learning. The Uni and development football can be a good opportunity to try things, learn things, make mistakes. It will just be good to get a lot of minutes under my belt and take it into the first team environment when I get the chance.” 

First Senior Football Minutes

Aberystwyth Town have struggled at the start of this Cymru Premier campaign, and are without a win in their first seven league games.

However, for Green, it is about getting minutes, which is exactly what he got against TNS and Colwyn Bay.

Discussing his first appearance in senior football, Green stated that he knew for a while that he would be playing against the Cymru Premier champions.

“I knew about a week or two in advance. We knew Dave (Jones) wasn’t available for the game. It’s one of them where you have as much time to prepare but you don’t really know what’s coming.

“I enjoyed the game. It was difficult, it was a challenge, but I thought I did okay. That was my first proper men’s game that I’ve ever played, so it’s a big difference going from youth football to a big game against the champions of the league.“

He then also played against Colwyn Bay, who were promoted from the Cymru North last season.

With a crowd of over 1000, Green spoke about the pressure of playing in front of a much larger crowd.

“It wasn’t my best game I’ve ever had. I felt a bit shaky at times. I think the crowd played a big part in that. I’m used to playing at most 100 people at youth games. Especially when you can hear the crowd, it feels like an extra player for them. You do feel it.

“You do get a buzz. It’s a weird buzz.

“I’m not normally a nervous person but I did sort of feel it when the game kicked off. In this league, we’ve not really seen a crowd like that. That was just a big factor in the game. 

“It’s an experience like the others that you don’t forget. Not all experiences are good but you still learn a lot from them. 

“I spoke to Dave the goalkeeper coach and a couple of others from the club and they know that I’m still learning, I’m still young. I’ve got a lot of time to learn.

“It’s about trying to put the wrongs right as quick as possible, especially with the position we are in.“

(Featured Image – Andrew Donnison/F28Online)