Samuel Wedgbury (born 26 February 1989) is an English footballer who plays as a central midfielder for Worksop Town.
Wedgbury began his career at Worcester City in 2005 and became the club's youngest ever goalscorer after scoring on his debut aged 16. He attracted the interest of Sheffield United, and joined the club for a five-figure fee in January 2006. He made no first-team appearances during his time in South Yorkshire, although was loaned out twice; first to Mansfield Town and then to Hungarian club Ferencváros. He was released by Sheffield United upon the expiry of his contract in the summer of 2010, and signed for Macclesfield Town shortly after. He spent three seasons at Macclesfield, playing over 100 games. In May 2013, Wedgbury signed for Stevenage on a free transfer. In May 2014, he joined Forest Green Rovers, where he became a fan favourite for his guile, character and uncompromising style of play. He signed for Chesterfield on 22 May 2018 after his contract with Wrexham was cancelled by mutual consent. He has also represented the England C team.
Club career
Early career
Wedgbury started his career at non-league Worcester City in the summer of 2005, where he played regularly for the club's U18 and reserve sides despite being in a younger age bracket. He made a goalscoring debut for the first-team aged just 16, in an FA Cup tie against Bemerton Heath Harlequins, a match that Worcester won 7–0, and became the club's youngest ever goalscorer in the process. He attracted the interest of then-Championship side Sheffield United in January 2006, and subsequently signed for the club on a scholarship contract for a five-figure fee. On Wedgbury's move, Worcester chairman Dave Boddy stated: "I am delighted for Sam, it's a great deal and opportunity for him and obviously a great deal for the club. He is a lovely lad with a superb attitude to the game and he shows unbelievable maturity beyond his years". He was loaned back to Worcester for the remainder of the 2005–06 season, with the two clubs also arranging a pre-season friendly as part of the deal. Wedgbury played regularly for Sheffield United's youth and reserve teams during his first season there, but did not make any first-team appearances.
In October 2008, Wedgbury was loaned out to Conference National side Mansfield Town on a one-month deal to gain more first-team experience. He made his debut a day after signing, on 18 October, starting in the club's 2–1 home defeat to Wrexham. However, he suffered an injury in the match and had to be substituted in the 42nd minute. Although the injury was not a broken leg as first thought, Wedgbury had chipped a bone in his leg and ultimately returned to his parent club to undergo treatment. He was loaned out once again in January 2009, this time to Sheffield United's Hungarian sister club Ferencváros, for the remainder of the 2009–10 campaign. Wedgbury made his first-team debut for Ferencváros two weeks later, on 8 February 2009, in a 0–0 draw with Kecskeméti in the Hungarian League Cup. He went on to play 17 league games for the club, scoring two goals, before returning to Bramall Lane a month into the 2009–10 season. However, on his return Wedgbury was unable to break into the first-team and was released from his contract upon its expiry in May 2010.
Macclesfield Town
Following his release from Sheffield United, Wedgbury signed a one-year contract at then-League Two side Macclesfield Town on 6 July 2010. He made his debut for Macclesfield on the opening day of the 2010–11 season, starting in a 2–2 draw against Stevenage at Broadhall Way. Wedgbury made thirteen appearances during the first half of the season, before being loaned out for a month to Conference North side Altrincham in January 2011, having been out of the Macclesfield first-team for two months. Wedgbury made a goalscoring debut for Altrincham, restoring parity just before half-time as the club came from behind to defeat Hayes & Yeading at Moss Lane. He played six times during the brief loan agreement, before returning to his parent club in late February 2011. Wedgbury regained his place in the Macclesfield first-team on his return, and played regularly for the remainder of the campaign. He scored his first goal for Macclesfield in a 1–1 draw with Lincoln City on 15 March 2011, scoring with an injury-time volley from outside the area to earn the club a point. During his first season with the club, Wedgbury scored once in 26 appearances. Wedgbury's impressive performances earned him an offer of a two-year contract at the end of the season, which he ultimately signed on 10 May 2011.