Sam played his first game for the Wids in the 1949-50 season before going to study and play at Liverpool University. He played eight seasons on the wing for the Wids 1st XV and took pride in the fact that he could throw the ball into a lineout straighter and more accurately than any hooker. As a teacher in the 60s, his playing time was limited due to supervising and refereeing Saturday morning school matches. However, whenever the opportunity arose, he was available for any team that would have him. A longstanding member of Widnes Golf Club, Sam could turn his hand to dominoes and internet chess while still displaying the knowledge that came from a classical education. Very few others used to quote Virgil in Heath Road. He made a major contribution to the book "If you go down to the Wids today" in 2009 and has left 90 minutes of detailed oral history on record for posterity. RIP.