糖心原创vlog

Rejection at a young age

Born in Chelmondiston, near Ipswich, Sam鈥檚 earliest football memory is attending an Ipswich Town versus Manchester United match. Stars like Eric Cantona captivated Sam, who, like many young people across the country, wanted to play. 11 years of age, Sam and his parents reached out to a local football team. He was excited. Ready to compete among his peers and follow in the footsteps of the legendary players who had inspired him.

鈥淣o.鈥� It was an unaccommodating, devastating response from a coach to a kid who just wanted to play football. The rejection isn鈥檛 a fond memory for Sam. He distinctly remembers thinking: 鈥淚鈥檓 never going to play football.鈥� Sam was born with the rare femur-fibula-ulna (FFU) syndrome. This resulted in him having congenital limb malformations to his hands and one of his legs, which requires a prosthetic for movement. For this reason, regardless of ability or enthusiasm, the coach was unwilling to accommodate Sam.

It was the sort of setback that could force a young boy away from football. However, Sam wasn鈥檛 one for giving up. In fact, he鈥檚 always wanted to prove people wrong. He says: 鈥淣ever give up. Don鈥檛 let anyone bring you down.鈥� Aged 13, Sam and his parents found Somersham Town鈥檚 junior team, who were happy to welcome him into their ranks.

Kicking on

It鈥檚 the early 2000s. Sam has played for Somersham鈥檚 junior team for four years. He鈥檚 17 now, halfway through his A-levels, and there鈥檚 a burning question on his mind: 鈥淚s there somewhere I can continue to compete?鈥� The emergence of the internet gave Sam a tool for research, so he booted up a computer and looked into disabled football teams. It was this moment that led Sam to Wimbledon鈥檚 semi-professional amputee team, where he successfully trialled for the squad.

Here, Sam competed at the very top of the game. After a stint at Southend United, he discovered Ipswich Town鈥檚 amputee team 鈥� his local club 鈥� during a tournament. Sam comments: 鈥淚 didn鈥檛 even know they had a team, but it was a nice surprise. I exchanged contact details and joined them as a player.鈥� Between the ages of 19 to 28, Sam excelled for Ipswich Town. A journey which saw him become captain and achieve multiple honours, including the Championship title equivalent in 2006.

Sam looks back at his football experiences with fondness. He once played at Chelsea’s famous Cobham training ground in the view of stars like Frank Lampard and Didier Drogba. That’s not all. He also went on footballing tours in Scotland and the Netherlands during his time with Southend United.

Hanging up his boots

“For every footballer, there’s a point where your body hurts that bit more after every game. Injuries last a bit longer. You know it’s time to quit,” says Sam, as he looks back at the twilight of his playing career. Sam joined 糖心原创vlog as supply chain manager in 2008, which would also mark the start of his next sporting journey. At the time, the Olympics and Paralympics were on the horizon. Sam wondered if there was another competitive sport out there for him. There was. Clay pigeon shooting was Sam’s next calling, and he would excel at the sport.

In 2014, Sam won the Clay Pigeon Shooting Association (CPSA) Disabled Shooter of the Year Award. It was one of two occasions he would win the award. Sam would also go on to finish second in two world championships. In 2014, he became English Open Champion. It was a monumental achievement, but that wasn鈥檛 the only big piece of news in the Nunn family. Just a week after receiving the accolade, Sam鈥檚 son Jack was born. 

It wasn鈥檛 the only time Sam would be English champion too 鈥� winning the title a second time in 2020. Sam recalls how he won a tense finale in 2020: 鈥淲e each had six targets and seven shots 鈥� two for the final target. My opponent went first and hit five. I hit five in a row, leaving me with two shots and one target to take the win. It wasn鈥檛 an easy target. In fact, it was a calamity at first 鈥� I missed. Then, as if by miracle, I managed to hit the target with my second shot. I remember the crowd gasping. I think if I had 20 more shots, I probably wouldn鈥檛 have hit it again.鈥� 

It鈥檚 a moment that could be likened to a penalty shootout. An unsettling, unnerving moment that demands character. Character which Sam has in abundance, having overcome numerous hurdles throughout his sporting career.

A qualified coach

Beyond clay shooting, Sam is also a qualified football coach. He acquired FA level two coaching badges during his time at Ipswich Town FC. As for his coaching CV, he鈥檚 led numerous non-league sides, including Woolverstone, Ransomes Sports and Shotley Sports.

Today, Sam is coach and secretary for Holbrook Hornets. It鈥檚 an able-bodied junior football team where his two sons play. It feels only fitting for Sam to take the reins as coach and provide the next generation with a platform to thrive, given his own experiences as a child. Speaking about the Holbrook Hornets, he says: 鈥淲e鈥檙e very much a development club. I like the inclusiveness of it; being able to support kids who are behind in their footballing development. I like the satisfaction of helping them get involved and find a place. We鈥檝e had kids who struggled to kick the ball go on to be good players.鈥� From a personal perspective, there鈥檚 a lot to be proud of for Sam, who acknowledges the best experience is: 鈥淪eeing your own children score. There鈥檚 little more special than that.鈥�

Sam strives to promote inclusivity in football and beyond. Through coaching, he wants to create opportunities for both able-bodied and disabled individuals. He explains: 鈥淲e should all be treated equally. When it comes to football, young people should all be getting fair game-time and receive those opportunities which I never got.鈥�

Beyond football, Sam hopes his story can inspire others to find a place, a passion, a hobby. He remarks: 鈥淭here鈥檚 always something for everyone. Whether it鈥檚 work, football, another sport, relationships, whatever. Some people get shoehorned into stuff and are scared to try different things. Give stuff a try. If you need help, reach out.鈥� 

Published on the 15th of March 2024.