Sammie McLeod: Fighting fit and ready to make his mark at Dartford FC

Gareth Morgan speaks to Sammie McLeod about his career, fitness and move to DFC.

When Sammie McLeod was involved in an horrific car accident in 2019, he was unsure if he’d be able to ever walk again, with doctors fearing he may even need his leg amputated.

With two pro-contracts in his teens, the football prodigy had the world at his feet until the day that is etched firmly in his mind.

However, not only has the midfielder battled back to full fitness, he is stronger than ever.

And now, one of the Club’s latest recruits – with two pro-contracts under his belt – can’t wait to show supporters what he’s all about and prove that his best days are still to come.

The 25-year-old said: “I don’t really remember the accident very well, but I was a little tired driving to training and somehow hit a lorry head on.

“I woke up in a helicopter that was taking me to the Royal London Hospital and found out I’d broken my collar bone and shattered my femur.

“It was a horrible experience and a really tough time. I asked the doctor when I could play football again and she said I might not be able to walk again and they talked about maybe having to amputate my leg.

“It’s been a long journey since then. I have almost started my playing career all over again during the past few years, but I’m now fitter than I’ve ever been.

“I was one of the quickest in the tests last week at pre-season training, so it shows where I am when it comes to fitness. I’m really excited to get going and showing what I am all about.”

Sammie started playing football at his local club Tunbridge Wells, then joined the Maidstone Academy system at 16. He was half-way through his first-year scholarship at Maidstone when one of the coaches set up a trial match with Leicester City.

He continued: “I was 17 and playing against Jamie Vardy, Riyad Mahrez, Wes Morgan and Kasper Schmeichel in goal. It was unreal, but a bit of a shock to the system.

“I’d never seen a Premiership player up close, but now I was playing against them. Leciester offered me a two-year contract and I was on top of the world. I was quickly playing and training with the U18s, reserves and first team.”

Being so young, Sammie admits he was inconsistent and struggled to settle away from home.

He was eventually let go, but went on trial to Colchester United who signed him on a three-year deal immediately.

They sent him to their feeder club Maldon and Tiptree where he had a stand-out season, with other Premiership clubs enquiring after him.

However, on 25th February of 2019, he was involved in the accident that shook his world.

He continued: “There was a lot of bleeding on the leg and they said they might have to amputate, but thankfully they managed to stem the flow. They were worried I wouldn’t walk again.

“I was in hospital for three weeks and the surgery went well and I went home, but couldn’t move from bed for about four or five weeks. I lost a lot of weight and muscle in that time and was having to be dragged into cars to get places.

“But I saw a lot of physios and worked hard, and finally got playing again.”

Five months later, he was learning how to walk again and soon worked his way back to fitness, amazingly, making his pro debut for Colchester United the following season.

He said: “I was so happy, but it had put a lot of doubts in my mind. I lost a bit of confidence. Then my mum passed away. I’m normally a really optimistic person, but I felt I wasn’t the same.”

He was later released from Colchester Utd when an opportunity to play in the Northern Ireland Premier League for Portadown arose, which he grabbed with both hands. Half a season later, he was ready to play in England again, turning out for Lewes before moving to Iceland to play for half a season.

Sammie’s goal at this time was still to play in the football league, so when Worthing came in for him, he decided this was the move that could catapult his career once again. He played regularly for half a season. However, during a month loan period at Bognor Regis he ruptured his ACL.

He said: “I thought that was it for me. I went to Thailand while I waited for surgery for six weeks with some friends and did some soul-searching.

“I had the surgery and did my rehab and got back to fitness. But my ambitions changed. I had no ego, had nothing to lose and I made the decision to start over again. I just wanted to play football. I didn’t want any more stop-starts.

“I went back to Tunbridge Wells playing centre back. I played really well for the season and got fit and strong and was ready to play up a level.”

Last season, he played more than 40 times for Sevenoaks as a holding midfielder and wants to keep looking forward – and is ready to show Dartford supporters what he has to offer.

He continued: “I had really strong season that got better and better. From there, I knew I could go up another few levels.

“I’ve been to Portugal in pre-season and got even fitter. I then spoke to Callum Jones who I had known from Colchester, who told me lots of great things about Dartford. I spoke to Ady and here I am.

“From where I was, I’m just happy to be playing football. I’m a holding midfielder, a No.4 or No.8. I have an engine and can run all day.

“I like to get the ball down and play, and break up play. I can be aggressive but like to keep the ball moving.”

With two seasons injury-free, Sammie believes he is now in the best shape of his life.

He added: “I’m a hard worker. My only goal is to do well this season. I’m not looking beyond that. But I’m in the best shape and mental state I’ve been in my career.

“I feel as though I have my best years ahead of me. It’s been a rollercoaster, but it’s all behind me.

“I’m a fitness freak. I try to be at the gym every day and run a lot. On the first day of pre-season training, I was second fastest during a 1km fitness test with a time of 3m 27 seconds!

“I can see already we have a really good changing room. I’m looking forward to playing at home and Callum has told me lots about how amazing the fans are. 

“It’s really exciting. It’s a brand-new challenge. I’m a winner, I hate losing. Now, I can’t wait to get going again, getting those three points on a Saturday and hopefully helping us get promoted.”

Welcome to Dartford FC, Sammie – and good luck for the season!

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