Sam was with Tottenham Hotspur as a youngster, but following his release ended up with Aveley, then in Division 3 of the Isthmian League.

A giant of a man, he joined Leyton Pennant towards the end of the 1999-2000 season and was used as a defender, rather than the striker he had been at Aveley. He scored one goal for Pennant, in a 2-1 defeat to Romford.