Sam Byles

**Last statistical update: n/a**

**Sam Byles** is a footballer who played for **Hashtag United** (men).

Having played for grassroots clubs in his local area at under-5 and under-6 level, Byles soon joined the Arsenal academy from the age of 7 to the age of 18, notably winning the 2009–10 Premier Academy League with the U18s and featuring at reserve level during a two-year stint as a scholar. He also trained with the first-team squad on occasions. After departing Arsenal, a move to Kettering Town fell through due to the team's manager getting sacked.

England (youth)
Whilst with Arsenal, Byles also featured for England internationally at under-16 and under-17 schoolboy level; notably winning the Victory Shield.

Thurrock/Cheshunt
After leaving *The Gunners*, Byles spent short spells with Thurrock and Cheshunt; also spending time in Sunday League with Cheshunt Town/AFC Cheshunt, netting once in 13 games across four campaigns.

Team Solent
In 2013, having almost given up football before advice from the PFA, Byles entered Southampton Solent University and started playing for their Team Solent side in the Wessex League. He made his competitive debut on 10 August 2013 in an 8–1 win in the League Cup away to Fleet Spurs. Against the same opponents in the league on 26 October, Byles scored his first goal in a four-goal victory on the road. His next goal for the club came on 17 February 2014 during a draw at home to Petersfield Town, in a campaign that saw them finish 6th in Division One. In 2014–15, Byles made 17 appearances and scored goals versus Andover New Street and Cowes Sports as Team Solent were promoted as champions.

After netting at St Mary's Stadium in the 2015 Southampton Senior Cup final victory over Hamble Club to make it a double for 2014–15, Byles subsequently started 25 times in the Premier Division as the club finished a noteworthy 7th. He scored his sixth and final goal for Team Solent on 6 February 2016 after netting an 88th-minute winner on the road to Newport (IOW), having previously debuted at that level in a 4–1 win away to Moneyfields on 26 September 2015. Byles departed in May 2016.

Buffalo
In mid-2016, Byles headed to the United States to join National Premier Soccer League team Buffalo. The move occurred after expat ex-Sholing player Matt Brown put the American team in touch with Team Solent manager James Taylor. It was originally planned to bring three or four players over, though only Byles and Jim Orvis were selected due to budget restraints. His first appearance came off the bench in a Midwest-Great Lakes East loss away to AFC Cleveland on 21 May. After sub showings versus Erie Commodores and Indiana, Byles started for the first and only time in the return fixture with Indiana on 17 June. His last four appearances were as a substitute, as the team finished 3rd; 2pts off the play-offs.

Sorrento
At some point after the conclusion of his season in the States in early July 2016, Byles switched North America for Australia as he joined Sorrento of the National Premier Leagues Western Australia. Whilst in the country, Byles lived with relatives that he had never met. As well as featuring in the league, Byles played in FFA Cup ties with Canberra Olympic and South Melbourne as the club became the first team from their level to reach the round of sixteen.

Rebel
At some point after the club's launch in 2017, Byles joined YouTube team Rebel; along with former Team Solent and future HTU teammate Jesse Waller Lassen. He played against *The Tags* twice at the Wembley Cup whilst with Rebel, the first in a 3–0 group stage loss at the St Paul's Sports Ground and the second in a semi-final 1–0 win at Wembley Stadium on 25 November 2018.

#### HTU

2019–20
On 11 September 2019, Byles and Jesse Waller Lassen signed with HTU on trial. The two started later that day in an Essex Thames-Side Trophy first round defeat at home to Brentwood Town. On 12 September, it was revealed that the two players had joined on permanent terms; with his move briefly held up due to international clearance. His first appearance as a full-time player arrived a week later in the Essex Senior Cup second round as the club beat Frenford, which preceded Byles grabbing his first assist on 21 September in an Essex Senior League win away versus Ilford. In his fourth apperance overall, the player scored in a win on the road in the Gordon Brasted Memorial Trophy preliminary round versus Walthamstow. In total, Byles made 16 appearances in his first season, having also scored one further goal versus Tower Hamlets in January 2020.

2020–21
Following on from the COVID-19 pandemic-enforced curtailment, Byles scored his third and final goal for *The Tags* in a 4–0 pre-season friendly win over Great Wakering Rovers on 22 August 2020. The campaign, like the preceding one, was curtailed midway through the season, with Byles' appearance in a narrow league win over Sawbridgeworth Town on 12 December ending up being his final showing in a HTU shirt; he had notched his fourth and last assist just under two months prior in an Essex Senior League win over Clapton.

2021–22
At the beginning of the 2021–22 season, manager Jay Devereux revealed that Byles was still with the club but had put his career with HTU on hold in order to focus on the 2021 London Marathon. Despite this, Byles did not return to now-Isthmian League - North Division side HTU.

#### Post-HTU

Hertford Town
In September 2022, it was announced that Byles had signed with Southern League outfit Hertford Town; reuniting with Jesse Waller Lassen once again. He debuted in an away defeat to Kempston Rovers on 17 September, as he replaced Billy Mardell-Smith off the bench after 56 minutes.

### As a Coach

#### Pre-HTU

Arsenal (youth)
Between 2010 and 2012, Byles worked part-time in the academy of Arsenal with their 8-14 year old footballers.

Southampton Solent University
From September 2015 and May 2016, Byles worked as a coach for Southampton Solent University's uni BUCS League team.

Sorrento (youth)
Between March and September 2017, Byles was head coach of Australian team Sorrento's under-16s.

#### Post-HTU

Harpenden Town (youth)
During 2022, Byles was the manager of Harpenden Town's under-14s.

## Personal Life

Byles grew up around Cheshunt and Enfield. Speaking to Buffalo in April 2016, he revealed that Lionel Messi was his favourite club player and that Django Unchained or Man on Fire was his favourite film. As a youngster, Byles attended Goffs Academy. At Southampton Solent University, Byles graduated with a first class degree in BA (Hons) Sport Studies. In October 2021, Byles ran the London Marathon and placed 4,489th out of around 40,000 competitors. He works as a 1-to-1 youth coach.

## HTU Statistics

Breakdown

'*Other Cups' includes competitions like the FA Trophy, the FA Vase and friendly tournaments. See also: HTUwiki:DataIssues.*

Appearances (28)
* List of appearances of Sam Byles

Goals (3)
Walthamstow  v  Hashtag United

Tower Hamlets  v  Hashtag United

Hashtag United  v  Great Wakering Rovers

## References

1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 "HASHTAG UTD vs BRAINTREE TOWN" , 3 October 2020.
2. ↑ 2.00 2.01 2.02 2.03 2.04 2.05 2.06 2.07 2.08 2.09 2.10 "Team Solent duo Sam Byles and Jim Orvis join USA side FC Buffalo" , 22 May 2016.

	* "Sam Byles player stats" .
	* "Samuel Byles player stats" .
4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 "NPSL Alum Sam Byles Has Bright Future Ahead in Soccer and Business – National Premier Soccer League" , 18 September 2017.
5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 "Hashtag United announce the arrivals of Jesse Waller-Lassen and Sam Byles!" , 12 September 2019.
6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 "Hertford Bring in Two" , 16 September 2022.
7. ↑ 7.00 7.01 7.02 7.03 7.04 7.05 7.06 7.07 7.08 7.09 7.10 "Sam Byles" .
8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 "IS THERE ENOUGH SUPPORT FOR RELEASED FOOTBALLERS? MEET UNIFIED FOOTBALL" , 22 November 2018.
9. ↑ "SAM BYLES player stats" .
10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 10.2 10.3 "Sam Byles player stats" .
11. ↑ "Samuel Byles player stats" .
12. ↑ 12.0 12.1 12.2 "National Premier Soccer League" .
13. ↑ 13.0 13.1 "Get to know ex @Arsenal Academy, @England International and one of Rebel's best" , 18 June 2019.
14. ↑ "Two trialists playing for us tonight" , 11 September 2019.
15. ↑ "NEW SIGNING REVEALED & WHY PLAYERS LEFT! - HASHTAG UNITED SQUAD UPDATE 21/22" , 14 August 2021.
16. ↑ "55. Byles for Mardell-Smith" , 17 September 2022.
17. ↑ "Good to be back at it under the lights last night with @SamByles & the U14s & @THE\_JWL with the @Harpenden\_Town U17s @EJALeague side" , 22 September 2022.
18. ↑ "Know Your Blitzers: Jim Orvis and Sam Byles" , 12 April 2016.
19. ↑ "Virgin Money London Marathon 2021" .