Sam James is a former Newport County academy graduate who was part of the 2014 – 2016 cohort at the Welsh club. “It was one of the most memorable periods in my life,” James told LFE. “I don’t think at the time you really appreciate it, but looking back, it was a really powerful experience.”
“You learn so much during that two-year apprenticeship. At the time, all you think about is earning that professional contract at the end. But when you step back from that mindset and reflect a little later in life, that’s when you really start to see the benefits.”
Reflecting on his time as an apprentice in further detail, James believes the transferrable skills you develop during that period can’t be taken for granted. “First of all, time management is key to being successful in any walk of life and that is drilled into you as a young footballer. This especially has really helped me later down the line.”
James, a central defender during his time with the Exiles, was eventually released at the end of his apprenticeship – a decision that hurt, but one he planned for. “It was a tough, tough time. Probably the most challenging period of my life. However, I did forecast that decision during my second year. A few new coaches came in and I didn’t get much of a look in, so by Christmas time I began to use my initiative and start researching various exit plans.
“I then suffered a really unique hamstring injury right towards the end of my apprenticeship and was side-lined for nine months, so I ended up taking a year out and working a normal job while I did my rehab.”
After taking a break from the game to regain full fitness, James headed stateside to embark on a scholarship at Erskine College in South Carolina. “It was a difficult transition at first. My first year was tough, but in a positive way too. The football side of things was a massive breath of fresh air – a completely different culture. The demands were still high, but there was constant positive energy. It was also great to play alongside lads from so many different places around the world. In my team, we had players from Germany, Spain, and South America, to name just a few.”
“Looking back on my time as an apprentice, I feel that period really helped with the transition to America. I’d grown up in a very structured environment with lots of training and education, which was a big help when moving into another highly structured setup like college in the US. I think that’s why coaches over there love bringing lads over from the English leagues – they hold themselves to high standards, having been in an academy system from such a young age.”
After four years in the States, during which he earned both an undergraduate and a master’s degree, James returned to the UK to pursue opportunities back home. “I came back feeling like an adult thanks to my time in America and felt ready to explore new things. I leaned on the PFA for a bit of guidance when I returned and went into physiotherapy for a while, as I’ve always had a bit of a passion for that. Eventually, though, I ended up getting a job at BAE Systems, which is a private defence company. I work in a commercial role, so my day-to-day responsibilities include dealing with contracts and generally being customer-facing. It’s a really intense role, but an enjoyable one.”
In addition to his day role at BAE, James is keen to get back involved in football in some capacity in the near future to offer his knowledge and experience to today’s young aspiring footballers. “I’ve been doing a course outside of work with the PFA’s Business School, which is really all about professional development. Everything from psychology to data analysis – it gives a holistic view of all areas of the game. We’ve had lectures from people at the top of their field, like Gary Neville and Dougie Freedman. It’s such a great opportunity, and I’d recommend it to anyone looking to further their knowledge of the game.
“I’ve also started undertaking my UEFA B coaching qualification too which I’ll hopefully finish soon. I just want to build my skill set as much as I can and understand the game more from a coaches’ perspective. I just want to gain a better knowledge of the game as a whole so I can help players who are in the same position I was. I think that’s where my calling is, it’s my passion and it all comes from personal experience.”