Sam in the Sky Blue
On this day (6th July) in 2015, CCFPA member Sam Ricketts joined CCFC on a free transfer from Wolverhampton Wanderers, signing a one-year deal with the club. Clocking up exactly fifty CCFC league appearances Sam scored his solitary Sky Blues goal in his sixth outing, a 2-2 home draw with Southend United in August of that year. Sadly, on 16 November 2016, Sam was forced to end his professional playing career whilst at the Ricoh due to a knee injury after 56 appearances in all competitions for CCFC.
In an extensive professional career which began with Oxford United in August 1999 and also took in Telford United, Swansea City, Hull City and Bolton Wanderers (as well as loan spells at near neighbours Nuneaton Town (2002-03) and Swindon Town, Sam amassed 577 career appearances (eighteen goals) in sixteen years as a footballer. Though born in Aylesbury Sam also used his family eligibility to gain 52 international caps for Wales between 2005-14!
Sam joined the Association in December 2016 soon after his forced retirement from playing.
In May 2018 Sam gained his first managerial appointment at National League side Wrexham but, only five months later in December that year, was ‘poached’ by local rivals Shrewsbury Town and was in charge for both Shrews League One games against the Sky Blues in 2018-19. On December 22nd in Salop they defeated CCFC by the only goal of the game and, on our last home game of the season in April 2019 grabbed a 1-1 draw to remove any lingering outside chance of our Play Off place.
Sam in Sky Blue action
This game was also the farewell tribute to Sky Blue Legend Steve Ogrizovic who was leaving CCFC after 35 years with the club as player, coach and caretaker manager.
Sam’s team was one of only three teams to beat the the Sky Blues in the league in the 2019-20 League One season trimming us 2-1 in Salop in mid December with a two goal second half response to a Sky Blue goal from fairly recent CCFPA recruit Jordan Shipley in the 26th minute!
Rival gaffers Mark Robins & Sam greet each other
The planned return in mid March never took place due to the COVID19 lockdown. The Shrews finished fifteenth as the Sky Blues were awarded the League One title five points clear of the pack with a game in hand on most rivals. Sam was relieved of his management post in October 2020 with the Shrews struggling near the bottom. Under new management they finished seventeenth.
After leaving Shrewsbury Town in November 2020, Sam reportedly opened a builder’s
