Saints » Player

	2008	Career
App
Sub	6	6
T
G
DG
Pts

DOB	9th Oct 1986
Height	186cm
Weight	109kg

Signing from Blackbrook Royals, Sam is a big, strong front rower with good footwork.

Prop Sam Thompson is a qualified bricklayer who has just begun working for Helena Housing after being self employed following his apprenticeship at St Helens Technical College when he left St Cuthberts High School (formerly Parr High School) St Helens at 16.

Q. How did you become involved playing rugby league?

A. My dad Sam – who has always watched me wherever I have played and encouraged me throughout my career – took me to Blackbrook Royals when I was ten. I wasn’t the best player to be honest and never used to get a game in the Under 11’s. So after that season I left as I wasn’t happy I thought that’s it I ‘m never going to play rugby league again.

Q. What changed that?

A. I played for Parr High School as it was when I was thirteen; in the space of two years I had grown up a lot and began playing prop forward. I was scoring full length tries for my school and playing well and was named Player of the Year for two years. My Head of the PE Department, Mr Paul Rawlinson, who has since become Deputy Head at Haydock High School suggested going to Blackbrook and I explained my experience previously there. I thought I was a better player now so went down with a couple of mates at Under 14’s. Within a couple of months of returning the Saints had snapped me up and I was on a Scholarship Scheme with them. I was at Saints from being 14 to the Under 16’s and I played in the Town team every year and I also played in the Service Area. At Under 16’s I used to mess about a lot and at the time my attitude wasn’t the best, I was a bit childish and the club let me go.

Q. What happened then?

A. I was playing for Blackbrook Under 18’s at the time at sixteen and Salford came in and I went there for two seasons. During this time I was still playing amateur and I represented Lancashire and the ‘Town Team’. I was playing well at Salford and Saints came in for me but I turned them down because firstly I thought that I owed Salford and secondly they had promised me a contract. It never came about and when it was time to move up to their Under 21’s so Saints asked me again and I went back.

Q. A great move for you?

A. Yes, in that first season I was 18th man against Catalan Dragons in Catalan were we lost to a late Stacey Jones try. In that off season I returned to Blackbrook playing in the Open Age side and represented Lancashire against Cumbria in Cumbria. I also captained England Universities Under 19’s winning the Championship, winning three games and losing one. A great experience and honour. I also played BARLA Great Britain Under 21’s against the Army. I then signed a Pay as you Play Contract meaning I couldn’t represent BARLA anymore.

Q. Have you always played prop?

A. No when I was at Salford I was second row, but returning to the Saints over the last couple of years I have put a lot of muscle weight on so I moved back up to prop which is what I enjoy. It is my preferred position and I love playing there, I love being involved in the middle.

Q. Who are and were your role models in rugby league?

A. I have always looked up to the likes of Stuart Fielden, Jamie Peacock and people like that. I look at the props at Saints - Maurie Fa’asavalu, I like his playing style. Nick Fozzard who really developed in his 20’s, the way he played and were he is now. I admire him he was never in the Great Britain picture; he has never given up maturing and pushing for that England spot in the props. He has taught me never to give up no matter whatever age you are; there is always a chance that you can make it there.

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