Sam Stockley
Stockley at Ferencvárosi TC in July 2010.
Personal information
Full name Samuel Joshua Stockley[1]
Date of birth (1977-09-05) 5 September 1977
Place of birth Tiverton, England
Height 1.83 m (6 ft 0 in)[2]
Position(s) Right-back
Youth career
1994–1996 Southampton
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1996–2001 Barnet 182 (2)
2001–2002 Oxford United 41 (0)
2002 → Colchester United (loan) 10 (1)
2002–2006 Colchester United 131 (2)
2006 → Blackpool (loan) 7 (0)
2006–2008 Wycombe Wanderers 56 (1)
2008–2009 Port Vale 31 (0)
2010–2011 Ferencvárosi TC 17 (0)
2010–2011 Ferencvárosi TC II 1 (0)
2011 Telford United 0 (0)
2011 Droylsden 1 (0)
2011 F.C. New York 17 (0)
2012–2013 Carolina RailHawks 14 (0)
Total 508 (6)
Managerial career
2022– Lexington SC
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Samuel Joshua Stockley (born 5 September 1977) is an English football coach and former professional player who is the first-team manager and sporting director at USL League One club Lexington SC.

A youth player at Southampton, he made his name at Barnet in the late 1990s, where he was named as Player of the Year in 2001. A short time at Oxford United was followed with a four-year spell with Colchester United between 2002 and 2006. After helping Colchester to win promotion out of League One in 2005–06, he then spent two seasons with Wycombe Wanderers, before signing with Port Vale in May 2008. He announced his retirement as a professional player in November 2009. However, he returned to the game in 2010 with Hungarian side Ferencvárosi TC, before becoming a non-League player in England with Droylsden via Telford United in 2011. He spent 2011 at American club F.C. New York, before joining Carolina RailHawks a year later. Over the course of his 17-year professional career he made 583 appearances in all competitions, scoring six goals.

Following his retirement he would spend seven years coaching youth players and girls in the United States, returning to the United Kingdom in 2020 to coach at Llandudno before returning to the U.S. in 2021 as Sporting Director for Lexington SC.

Playing career

Barnet

Stockley began his career as a trainee at Southampton but was unable to break into the first team. He moved to Third Division club Barnet during the 1996–97 season, making his debut under Terry Bullivant in a 3–0 defeat by Swansea City at Vetch Field on 14 January. He played a further 20 league games that season, before making a total of 49 appearances in league and cup in 1997–98. He continued to be an almost constant presence at Underhill under John Still in 1998–99 and 1999–2000, making 45 and 39 appearances respectively, and scoring his first league goal in a 3–1 win over Hull City at Boothferry Park on 24 April 2000. He played 52 games for new boss Tony Cottee in 2000–01, scoring his second senior goal on 19 August in a 3–3 home draw with Mansfield Town. He was also named as the club's Player of the Year for 2001, and also picked up the club's 'Most Improved Player' award.[3] Having played 209 games for the "Bees", he was sold on to Oxford United for a fee of £150,000 in July 2001 after becoming dissatisfied with his wages at Barnet.[4]

Oxford to Colchester United

He played 44 games for Oxford under Mark Wright and Ian Atkins in 2001–02 as the "Yellows" struggled to retain their Football League status. He was loaned out to Second Division Colchester United at the start of the 2002–03 season, then managed by Steve Whitton,[5] before moving permanently on a free transfer in October 2002.[6] He scored his third ever goal on 29 October, in a 1–1 draw with Barnsley at Layer Road,[7] and finished the campaign with 35 appearances to his name. He signed a new contract for Phil Parkinson's side after he missed just two of United's 60 matches in the 2003–04 season.[8] He played 44 games in 2004–05, scoring on the opening day of the season with a "stunning strike" from 25 yards (23 m) in a 3–0 win over Sheffield Wednesday at Hillsborough in League One.[9] He played 34 games for the "U's" in the promotion season of 2005–06, scoring his fifth career goal from 25 yards in a 3–1 defeat to Southend United at Roots Hall on 29 August.[10] He joined Blackpool on loan in March 2006, featuring seven times for Simon Grayson's "Seasiders".

Wycombe Wanderers

After his release from Colchester following 171 appearances for the club,[11] Stockley moved to Paul Lambert's Wycombe Wanderers of League Two in July 2006.[12] He spent the 2006–07 season as the club's regular right-back, but also filled in as centre-back and sweeper during tactical changes. He played a total of 42 times, scoring his sixth and final league goal at London Road in a 3–3 draw with Peterborough United on 31 March.[13] He lost his place at right-back to Russell Martin in the 2007–08 season, but was used as a left-back on many occasions, featuring 23 times throughout the campaign. In February 2008, he had a trial with American club FC Dallas.[14]

Port Vale

Stockley left Wycombe and signed for Port Vale in May 2008,[15] signing a two-year deal. He was appointed as captain in July of that year by manager Lee Sinnott.[16] By mid-season Stockley found himself regularly on the Vale bench under new boss Dean Glover, but said "I think that Port Vale haven't seen the best of me yet, but I believe they will because I'm really happy here".[17] He managed to battle his way back into the first team and win back his captaincy (from Marc Richards) during the latter part of the 2008–09 season.[18] Stockley admitted that at times in the season he had considered retirement, but after winning back his first team spot he said he was enjoying his football.[19]

He renegotiated his contract in August 2009 in order to gain more first team football in the 2009–10 season; a clause that entitled Stockley to a 12-month contract extension after fifty games was removed.[20] He started the season fighting with new signing Adam Yates for a regular place, but was transfer-listed in late September, along with the entire Port Vale squad, after manager Micky Adams saw his team slip to a third consecutive defeat.[21] After twelve appearances in the campaign, the defender shocked Vale fans by announcing his retirement in November 2009, at the age of 32. He took the decision to retire on medical advice, having suffered an eye injury.[22]

"This has undoubtedly been the most difficult decision in my career and it's not one I've taken lightly. I've had 16 years in professional football and have some fantastic memories, but it's important I put my health and my family first. My eyesight is something which has been troubling me and, unfortunately, I've had to make the decision to stop playing... I've had sixteen fantastic years playing at a professional level, playing for great managers, great clubs in front of some fantastic supporters and it has been fantastic... I get caught up with it, and have always said to the lads, when I finish football I want to walk away and I want people to say, you know, he was a real good lad, a real nice lad, he worked hard, he trained hard, he played hard and he was an okay player, and that is all I ever wanted."

— Stockley reflects upon his career.[23][24]

Later career

Stockley with Ferencvárosi TC in 2009

In January 2010 he came out of retirement to sign with Hungarian club Ferencvárosi TC in a coaching capacity, then managed by Craig Short.[25] He played 15 Nemzeti Bajnokság I (top flight) games in 2009–10, also featuring four times in 2010–11 under László Prukner.

In January 2011, he joined Conference North club Telford United.[26] However, without making a single first team appearance for the "Bucks", Stockley signed for league rivals Droylsden the following month – to the frustration of Telford manager Andy Sinton.[27] Later in the year he travelled to the US to sign with F.C. New York of the newly formed USL Pro (third tier). They fared poorly in 2011, not reaching the play-offs having finished fifth in the six team division. Professional football did not return to the Belson Stadium in 2012, as the club did not enter a league competition.[28] In April 2012, Stockley signed for the Carolina RailHawks of the North American Soccer League for the 2012 season.[29]

Coaching career

Stockley had helped to coach the academy at Wycombe Wanderers, Port Vale and Ferencvárosi, but got his first full-time coaching role as Director of Raleigh at Triangle Futbol Club from 2012 to 2014.[30] He spent 2013 to 2017 as assistant first-team coach at Carolina RailHawks, and also coached girls' football for the North Carolina FC Youth.[30] In January 2017, he was recruited to the Xavier Musketeers coaching staff by Kacey White.[30] Eight months later he was appointed as the new Girls' Technical Director and Associate Girls' Development Academy Director at the West Florida Flames.[31] He later went on to scout for the United States national soccer team.[32] He was appointed head of coaching at Cymru North club Llandudno in August 2020.[33]

Lexington SC

In October 2021, Stockley was announced as the Sporting Director for Lexington Sporting Club[34] which will compete in third-division professional American soccer league USL League One in the regular 2023 season.[35] On 13 October 2022, Lexington named Stockley first-team manager.[36]

Personal life

Stockley completed his coaching badges at 'C' level with the intention to go into management.[37] He studied broadcast journalism at Staffordshire University during his time at Port Vale, hoping to pursue a career in the media upon his retirement as a player,[22] specifically as a pitch-side reporter.[38] During his time at Wycombe Wanderers he also had his own column in the club programme.[39] He met his wife, Anna, in 2004 and has two children: Esmé and Jobe.[30]

"I'm doing a degree in sports journalism, that's something which really interests me, I don't mind talking a little bit and to talk about football, or any sport, just really interests me and it was an opportunity I wanted to take."

— Stockley aiming for a career in journalism, in November 2009.[40]

Career statistics

Club Season Division League National Cup League Cup Other Total
AppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Barnet1996–97[41][42]Third Division21000001[lower-alpha 1]0220
1997–98[43][42]Third Division41010403[lower-alpha 2]0490
1998–99[44]Third Division41010201[lower-alpha 1]0450
1999–00[45]Third Division34100203[lower-alpha 2]0391
2000–01[46]Third Division45120203[lower-alpha 1]0521
Total 1822401001102072
Oxford United2001–02[47]Third Division41010101[lower-alpha 1]0440
Colchester United2002–03[lower-alpha 3][48]Second Division33110001[lower-alpha 1]0351
2003–04[49]Second Division44060206[lower-alpha 1]0580
2004–05[50]League One371502000441
2005–06[51][42]League One27130104[lower-alpha 1]0351
Total 1413150501101723
Blackpool (loan)2005–06[51]League One70———70
Wycombe Wanderers2006–07[52]League Two34120402[lower-alpha 1]0421
2007–08[53]League Two220100000230
Total 561304020651
Port Vale2008–09[54]League Two22010101[lower-alpha 1]0250
2009–10[55]League Two90—201[lower-alpha 1]0120
Total 310103020370
Ferencvárosi TC2009–10[56][57]Nemzeti Bajnokság I150—10—160
2010–11[56][57]Nemzeti Bajnokság I201010—40
Total 170102000200
Ferencvárosi TC II 2010–11[56][57] Nemzeti Bajnokság II 10———10
Telford United2010–11Conference North00——0000
Droylsden2010–11[58]Conference North10———10
F.C. New York2011[58]USL Pro17010——180
Carolina RailHawks2012[58]North American Soccer League13000—3[lower-alpha 4]0160
2013[58]North American Soccer League1000——10
Total 14000—30170
Career total 50862602503005896
  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Appearance(s) in Football League Trophy
  2. 1 2 One appearance in Football League Trophy; two appearances in Third Division play-offs
  3. ↑ Part of this season was spent on loan from Oxford United
  4. ↑ Appearance(s) in North American Soccer League playoffs

Honours

Individual

Colchester United

References

  1. ↑ "Player Registrations" (PDF). thefa.com. November 2009. Retrieved 28 June 2011.
  2. ↑ "FootballSquads - Port Vale - 2009/10". footballsquads.co.uk. Retrieved 24 June 2019.
  3. 1 2 "Barnet Football Club Supporters Association". onlybarnet.com. Retrieved 27 August 2017.
  4. ↑ "Oxford sign Barnet defender". BBC Sport. 11 July 2001. Retrieved 6 June 2009.
  5. ↑ "Stockley to stay with U's". BBC Sport. 26 September 2002. Retrieved 6 June 2009.
  6. ↑ "Stockley signs for U's". BBC Sport. 31 October 2002. Retrieved 6 June 2009.
  7. ↑ "Colchester vs Barnsley". cu-fc.com. 29 October 2002. Archived from the original on 8 September 2012. Retrieved 16 February 2012.
  8. ↑ "Colchester pair pen deals". BBC Sport. 12 May 2004. Retrieved 6 June 2009.
  9. ↑ "Sheffield Wed vs Colchester". cu-fc.com. 7 August 2004. Archived from the original on 29 August 2012. Retrieved 16 February 2012.
  10. ↑ "Southend vs Colchester". cu-fc.com. Archived from the original on 26 August 2012. Retrieved 16 February 2012.
  11. ↑ "Parkinson allows quartet to leave". BBC Sport. 10 May 2006. Retrieved 6 June 2009.
  12. ↑ "Stockley completes Wycombe switch". BBC Sport. 17 July 2006. Retrieved 6 June 2009.
  13. ↑ "Peterborough vs Wycombe". theposh.com. 31 March 2007. Archived from the original on 5 August 2012. Retrieved 16 February 2012.
  14. ↑ "Stockley in MLS trial with Dallas". BBC Sport. 6 February 2008. Retrieved 6 June 2009.
  15. ↑ "I'm here for promotion - Stockley". BBC Sport. 8 July 2008. Retrieved 6 June 2009.
  16. ↑ "Stockley named new Vale captain". BBC Sport. 28 July 2008. Retrieved 6 June 2009.
  17. ↑ "More to come from me - Stockley". BBC. 12 November 2008. Retrieved 12 November 2008.
  18. ↑ "Stockley aims to take Vale chance". BBC Sport. 12 March 2009. Retrieved 6 June 2009.
  19. ↑ Shaw, Steve (7 April 2009). "Port Vale: Stockley back on track after difficult time on sidelines". The Sentinel. Retrieved 7 April 2009.
  20. ↑ "Stockley changes Port Vale deal". BBC Sport. 5 August 2009. Retrieved 5 August 2009.
  21. ↑ "Adams puts Vale squad up for sale". BBC Sport. 27 September 2009. Retrieved 27 September 2009.
  22. 1 2 "Defender Stockley set to retire". BBC Sport. 1 November 2009. Retrieved 1 November 2009.
  23. ↑ "Stockley hangs up his boots". The Sentinel. 2 November 2009. Retrieved 2 November 2009.
  24. ↑ "Sam says his goodbyes". port-vale.co.uk. 2 November 2009. Archived from the original on 5 November 2009. Retrieved 2 November 2009.
  25. ↑ "Sam Stockley and Anthony Elding set for Hungarian move". BBC Sport. 4 January 2010. Retrieved 4 January 2010.
  26. ↑ "AFC Telford sign former Port Vale captain Sam Stockley". BBC Sport. 13 January 2011. Retrieved 14 January 2011.
  27. ↑ "Sam Stockley set to leave AFC Telford to join Droylsden". BBC Sport. 11 February 2011. Retrieved 12 February 2011.
  28. ↑ "USL PRO 2012 Schedule Released". uslpro.uslsoccer.com. 11 January 2012. Archived from the original on 15 January 2012. Retrieved 16 February 2012.
  29. ↑ "Three new additions to the Carolina RailHawks". ABC News. 3 April 2012. Retrieved 5 April 2012.
  30. 1 2 3 4 "Sam Stockley Joins Xavier Women's Soccer as Assistant Coach". Xavier University Athletics. 26 January 2017. Retrieved 24 March 2021.
  31. ↑ "Sam Stockley Joins West Florida Flames Director Staff". West Florida Flames. 19 August 2017. Retrieved 24 March 2021.
  32. ↑ Quinn, Ethan (8 August 2020). "Sam Stockley New Head of Coaching". pitchero.com. Retrieved 24 March 2021.
  33. ↑ Jones, Dean (10 August 2020). "Sam Stockley appointed head of coaching at Llandudno". North Wales Pioneer. Retrieved 24 March 2021.
  34. ↑ USLLeagueOne com Staff (5 October 2021). "United Soccer League Welcomes Lexington Pro Soccer as League One Expansion Club". USL League One. Retrieved 21 April 2022.
  35. ↑ "Lexington pro soccer reveals crest, new name: Lexington Sporting Club". WLEX. 22 March 2022. Retrieved 21 April 2022.
  36. ↑ Piercy, K. "Sam Stockley selected as first ever head coach for Lexington Sporting Club senior team". LexSporting.com. Retrieved 13 October 2022.
  37. ↑ "Stockley plans managerial career". BBC Sport. 16 April 2009. Retrieved 16 April 2009.
  38. ↑ Shaw, Steve (3 November 2009). "Port Vale: Stockley has write stuff for new career". The Sentinel. Retrieved 3 November 2009.
  39. ↑ "Sam Stockley is an experienced full-back who joined the Blues in the summer of 2006 after a long association with Colchester United". wycombewanderers.co.uk. Archived from the original on 6 July 2008. Retrieved 24 December 2009.
  40. ↑ Burton, Chris (2 November 2009). "From full-back to hack". Sky Sports. Retrieved 3 November 2009.
  41. ↑ "Games played by Sam Stockley in 1996/1997". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 1 January 2017.
  42. 1 2 3 "The English National Football Archive". www.enfa.co.uk. Retrieved 27 July 2022.
  43. ↑ "Games played by Sam Stockley in 1997/1998". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 1 January 2017.
  44. ↑ "Games played by Sam Stockley in 1998/1999". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 1 January 2017.
  45. ↑ "Games played by Sam Stockley in 1999/2000". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 1 January 2017.
  46. ↑ "Games played by Sam Stockley in 2000/2001". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 1 January 2017.
  47. ↑ "Games played by Sam Stockley in 2001/2002". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 1 January 2017.
  48. ↑ "Games played by Sam Stockley in 2002/2003". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 1 January 2017.
  49. ↑ "Games played by Sam Stockley in 2003/2004". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 1 January 2017.
  50. ↑ "Games played by Sam Stockley in 2004/2005". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 1 January 2017.
  51. 1 2 "Games played by Sam Stockley in 2005/2006". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 1 January 2017.
  52. ↑ "Games played by Sam Stockley in 2006/2007". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 1 January 2017.
  53. ↑ "Games played by Sam Stockley in 2007/2008". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 1 January 2017.
  54. ↑ "Games played by Sam Stockley in 2008/2009". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 1 January 2017.
  55. ↑ "Games played by Sam Stockley in 2009/2010". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 1 January 2017.
  56. 1 2 3 Magyarfutball.hu. "Stockley Sam (Tiverton 1977.09.05 - ) • People • Magyarfutball.hu - Hungarian football database". magyarfutball.hu. Retrieved 11 November 2019.
  57. 1 2 3 "SAM JOSHUA STOCKLEY - FERENCVÁROSI TC - MLSZ adatbank". adatbank.mlsz.hu. Retrieved 11 November 2019.
  58. 1 2 3 4 "England - S. Stockley - Profile with news, career statistics and history - Soccerway". uk.soccerway.com. Retrieved 27 July 2022.
  59. ↑ "Sam Stockley - Players - Colchester United". coludata.co.uk. Retrieved 6 April 2019.
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