Non-League Legend: Marvin Samuel (Part 2)

In part one of our look back at Marvin Samuel’s career, we saw went through his formative years as a footballer. In part two, we see Samuel his playing peak.

2005-6

Samuel lead Boreham Wood in 2005 with his grit and determination from midfield, driving forward a team which included Ian Cooper, Chris Bangura and Leon Archer, as well as Lee Harvey and Noel Imber.

By the start of December, Wood had gone 14 games unbeaten and sat top of the pile after a 2-0 win over Berkhamstead Town thanks to two Leon Archer penalties.

At the start of February a 6-1 hammering of Waltham Forest kept Wood three points clear at the end of the league, and a 2-0 over Crawley Town a week later saw them cruise into the quarter finals of the FA Trophy

March was another great month as Wood beat Worksop Town 1-0 to reach the semi-finals of the Trophy before making the Herts Charity Cup final with a 3-2 win over Hemel Hempstead Town.

A 3-0 aggregate defeat to Working ended Wood’s FA Trophy dreams, but the league wins just kept coming, and a 2-2 draw with Stamford on the final day of the season was enough to beat Corby Town to promotion on goal difference.

Samuel was voted Supporters’ Player of the Year too this season.

2006-7

It didn’t take long for Wood, and Samuel to find their feet in the Isthmian Premier. They were without a win until the 14th of September when they hammered Margate 6-1, and followed it up with a 5-2 win away to Hampton & Richmond Borough.

And by January, Wood were involved in a promotion challenge, though they had to do it without Leon Archer and Chris Watters who left for St Albans City.

Wood even relegated Walton & Hersham by beating them 2-1 in April 2007, but defeat to Bromley on the last day of the season meant Wood finished seventh in the league, four points off the play-offs.

2007-8

Second season syndrome hit Wood as they struggled to 17th place the following season.

George Borg was brought in as caretaker manager, and it was Borg who gave Samuel his first taste of coaching experience, as the midfielder was made player-coach in February 2008.

Things got worse before they got better, and at the end of March, Wood were in real danger of relegation. However, a 3-0 win over Leyton at the start of April, coupled with a final-day win saw Wood remain in the Isthmian premier by the narrowest of margins.

At the end of the season, Samuel was voted Supporters’ Player of the Season for second time in three seasons, while the manager and chairman both also voted as Samuel as their player of the season.

2008-9

This wasn’t enough to keep Samuel with Wood though, as at the start of the 2008-9 season he made the move down the M1 to Wingate & Finchley, where he was a player-coach.

When signing for the club, Wingate manager Michael Stone said “Marvin is exactly the type of player that we targeted to improve the squad for next season. He has spent the last two seasons playing in the level above us and has won this league before, in addition to numerous awards over the last few years. His experience and leadership skills will be vital for us to progress.”

Four games into the season, Samuel had enjoyed a perfect start at his new club. Wingate were top of the pile, with a 100% record.

Samuel became further ingrained at Wingate in the new year of 2009, being part of their Football Learning Excellence (FLEX) scheme.

Martin Hayes took over at Wingate in March 2009, and Samuel – by this point club captain – scored the first goal in a 2-2 draw against Waltham Abbey in Hayes’ first game in charge.

A stumbling end to the season saw Wingate finish seventh in the table – their highest ever league finish.

2009-10

Wingate would go on to finish 4th in the 2009-10 season, but Samuel left the club in October 2009, electing to return to Boreham Wood.

He played a key part in a 2-0 win over Tonbridge Angels in FA Trophy, but would soon depart Hertfordshire to make his first foray into management.

In part three, we’ll look at Samuel’s first foray into management, at Harlow Town.