Quick Facts
Biography
Adrian Samuel "Sam" Hird (born 7 September 1987) is an English professional footballer who plays for Chesterfield. Although primarily a central defender, he can also play as a defensive midfielder.
Career
Leeds United
Born in Norton, Doncaster, South Yorkshire, Hird signed terms with Aston Villa at a young age after catching the eyes of scouts, before moving on to sign for the Leeds United Academy at the age of nine. Hird initially played as a striker before being developed into a defender at Leeds. He captained the youth and reserve sides before moving on.
Doncaster Rovers
Hird was signed by Doncaster Rovers on a three-month loan from Leeds United in February 2007. He was released by Leeds at the end of the 2006–07 season and was signed by Doncaster Rovers on 2 July 2007. He joined Grimsby Town on a month's loan in November 2007. This was extended for a second month in December.
Hird broke into the Doncaster side late in the 2007–08 season after an injury crisis hit Rovers in defence. Hird put in several impressive performances and was part of the side that beat Leeds United (his former club) 1–0 at Wembley Stadium in the League One Play-off final to win promotion to the Championship.
Hird formed an impressive partnership with Matt Mills in Rovers first season in the Championship. He has been in and out of the team over the years but in the summer of 2011, Hird once again signed a contract extension, this time for an extra year. In May 2012, Hird was released by the club after the expiry of his contract.
Chesterfield
On 2 June 2012 he agreed a 2-year deal with Chesterfield, and was immediately given the captain's armband. On 16 May 2014, Hird signed a new contract with the Spireites. In July 2014 Hird played a key role in his club's 3–1 pre-season win against his first club, Aston Villa of the Premier League, scoring the first goal in a 3–1 win. Hird signed a new deal keeping him at the 'Spireites' until the summer of 2017 after a successful first season with the club in League One after reaching the playoffs.
After the 2015–16 season, Hird was named Chesterfield's Player of the Year, as well as winning the additional Player of the Year awards from several club sponsors and local newspapers.
Club statistics
- As of match played 1 November 2016
| Club | Season | League | FA Cup | League Cup | Other | Total | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
| Leeds United | 2006–07 | Championship | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Doncaster Rovers (loan) | 2006–07 | League One | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 0 |
| Doncaster Rovers | 2007–08 | League One | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 9 | 0 |
| 2008–09 | Championship | 38 | 1 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 42 | 2 | |
| 2009–10 | 36 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 39 | 0 | ||
| 2010–11 | 36 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 35 | 0 | ||
| 2010–11 | 36 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 34 | 0 | ||
| Total | 157 | 1 | 9 | 1 | 5 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 176 | 2 | ||
| Grimsby Town (loan) | 2007–08 | League Two | 17 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 18 | 0 |
| Chesterfield | 2012–13 | League Two | 41 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 44 | 2 |
| 2013–14 | 35 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 44 | 2 | ||
| 2014–15 | League One | 30 | 3 | 5 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 38 | 3 | |
| 2015–16 | 40 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 43 | 2 | ||
| 2016–17 | 15 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 16 | 1 | ||
| Total | 161 | 10 | 9 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 10 | 0 | 185 | 10 | ||
| Career totals | 341 | 11 | 19 | 1 | 10 | 0 | 15 | 0 | 365 | 12 | ||
Honours
- Doncaster Rovers
- League One play-off winners: 2007–08
- Chesterfield F.C.
- Football League Two: 2013–14
- 2015–16 Player of the Year