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Sam Baldock

Samuel Edward Thomas Baldock (born 15 March 1989) is an English former professional footballer who last played as a striker for Oxford United. He also played for Milton Keynes Dons, West Ham United, Bristol City, Brighton & Hove Albion, Reading, Derby County and made two appearances for England U20.

Sam Baldock
Baldock warming up for West Ham United in 2012
Personal information
Full name Samuel Edward Thomas Baldock[1]
Date of birth (1989-03-15) 15 March 1989 (age 35)
Place of birth Buckingham, England
Height 5 ft 7 in (1.70 m)[2]
Position(s) Striker
Youth career
2003–2004 Wimbledon
2004–2005 Milton Keynes Dons
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2005–2011 Milton Keynes Dons 100 (33)
2011–2012 West Ham United 23 (5)
2012–2014 Bristol City 83 (34)
2014–2018 Brighton & Hove Albion 81 (18)
2018–2021 Reading 65 (10)
2021–2022 Derby County 13 (2)
2022–2023 Oxford United 11 (4)
Total 376 (106)
International career
2009 England U20 2 (0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Club career

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Milton Keynes Dons

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Baldock was born in Buckingham, Buckinghamshire.[3] Having joined the Wimbledon F.C. youth system following the club's 2003 relocation to Milton Keynes,[4] Baldock signed as a trainee in July 2004, just after the club renamed itself as Milton Keynes Dons.[5][6] Danny Wilson handed Baldock his first-team debut on 20 December 2005 in the 2–1 Football League Trophy loss to Colchester United as a late substitute in his only appearance of the season.[7]

Martin Allen as Dons manager for the 2006–07 season gave Baldock two further games in the first team in his only year in charge. Baldock failed to score as a substitute in either game as the Dons lost 4–1 away to Brighton & Hove Albion in the Football League Trophy and drew 1–1 at home to Mansfield Town.

As Paul Ince took the role as manager, Baldock became more involved in matches, first making a substitute appearance in the FA Cup away to Crewe Alexandra, before making five substitute appearances in League Two. He also made his full debut in the Football League Trophy victory over Gillingham, and made two further appearances as a substitute, including one in the 2008 Football League Trophy final at Wembley Stadium on 30 March 2008, helping MK Dons win their first ever trophy.[8]

As new manager Roberto Di Matteo joined MK Dons, Baldock made his break-through season as he became a regular in the first-team, scoring his first senior goal in the Dons' 2–1 loss against Reading in a friendly match at stadium:mk on 19 July 2008. He then made his first competitive start in the MK Dons' opening day League One defeat to Leicester City on 9 August 2008.

Baldock's first competitive goal came as the Dons beat Norwich City 1–0 in the Football League Cup at stadium:mk on 12 August 2008.[8] On 12 March 2011, having been named in the starting line-up to face Colchester United away, he scored his first ever senior hat-trick with all three goals coming in the second half to overturn a 1–0 half-time deficit. The final score was 3–1.[8]

On 15 May 2011, Baldock scored a long range free-kick in the play-off semi-final first leg as MK Dons beat Peterborough United 3–2 at stadium:mk. MK Dons lost in the second leg as Peterborough gained promotion, beating Huddersfield Town in the final.[8]

On 29 June 2011, Peterborough United had a £1.2 million bid accepted for Baldock, however, after meeting with the club, Baldock decided to decline the offer to join Peterborough and pledged his future to MK Dons.[9]

In August 2011 at the start of the 2011–12 season, Baldock scored six goals in six appearances including a hat-trick against newly promoted side Chesterfield in a 6–2 win and a goal in a 4–0 away victory in the League Cup against Premier League side Norwich City. Fittingly his last goals for the club came against the opponents he scored his first goal against, Norwich[8]

West Ham United

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On 26 August 2011, Baldock joined West Ham United for an undisclosed fee on a four-year contract with an option for an additional year. He was allocated the number 7 shirt.[8] Baldock made his West Ham debut on 17 September 2011 coming on as a 74th-minute substitute for Henri Lansbury in a 0–0 draw away with Millwall.[10] His first two West Ham goals were scored in 4–0 win on 15 October 2011 against Blackpool at Upton Park.[11] He then got his second two-goal haul in successive home matches helping the Hammers to a 3–2 victory over Leicester City.[12] Despite scoring five goals in his first six starts, an injury reduced his first-team opportunities, as did the arrival of Nicky Maynard and Ricardo Vaz Tê.

Bristol City

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Baldock joined Bristol City in August 2012 for an undisclosed fee, signing a three-year contract.[13][14] He made his debut on 25 August, in a 4–2 win against Cardiff, in which he scored and assisted a goal.[15] He scored again on 15 September, in a 5–3 defeat at home to Blackburn Rovers[16] and a brace in the club's following match, a 2–1 win away at Peterborough to take his tally to four goals in four matches for Bristol City. Baldock finished the 2012–13 season with ten goals but could not help Bristol City survive as they were relegated to League 1.[17]

During the pre-season, Baldock failed to score but fellow striker Steven Davies moved to Blackpool[18] leaving Baldock as the only recognised goal scorer at Bristol City. Sean O'Driscoll made Baldock captain at the start of the season and his first goal came in a 2–0 away win in the first round of the League Cup.[19] He scored a brace against Coventry City in a 5–4 loss.[20] He continued his great start by scoring his second brace of the season against old club MK Dons. He chose not to celebrate either goal after saying it was an emotional day.[21] Baldock finished the League One 2013–14 season with the Golden Boot as top scorer with 24 goals.[22]

Brighton & Hove Albion

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On 27 August 2014, Baldock signed for Brighton & Hove Albion for an undisclosed fee[23] in the region of £2 million.[24]

Reading

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On 30 July 2018, Baldock transferred to Reading on a three-year contract for an undisclosed fee.[25] Baldock left Reading when his contract expired at the end of the 2020–21 season.[26]

Derby County

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On 17 August 2021, after training with the club over pre-season, Baldock joined Derby County on a short-term contract until January 2022.[27] A day after signing he made his debut scoring the only goal of the game in the 1–0 away victory over Hull City.[28] On 13 January 2022, manager Wayne Rooney announced that Baldock would leave the club upon the expiration of his short-term deal the following week.[29]

Oxford United

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On 4 February 2022, Baldock signed a contract with League One club Oxford United until the end of the season.[30] He scored in his first League One start for Oxford, netting the third goal in a 4–0 away victory over Charlton on 19 February 2022.[31] On 16 May 2022, he signed a new two-year deal with the club.[32] Baldock retired because of injury on 14 September 2023 and accepted a role at Oxford United as a business development analyst.[33]

International career

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On 26 August 2009, Baldock was called up to an initial 30-man squad for the 2009 FIFA U-20 World Cup in Egypt.[34] Later, on 11 September, he made the final squad of 21 players, MK Dons chairman Pete Winkelman commented: "The standard of players he will now be rubbing shoulders with underlines what a wonderful talent he is."[35]

Personal life

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Born in England, Baldock is of Greek descent through his grandmother. His late younger brother George was also a professional footballer, and his other brother James is the club doctor at Sam's former club Oxford United.[36]

Career statistics

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Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League FA Cup League Cup Other Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Milton Keynes Dons 2005–06[37] League One 0 0 0 0 0 0 1[a] 0 1 0
2006–07[38] League Two 1 0 0 0 0 0 1[a] 0 2 0
2007–08[39] League Two 5 0 1 0 0 0 3[a] 0 9 0
2008–09[40] League One 40 12 0 0 2 1 2[b] 0 44 13
2009–10[41] League One 21 5 3 2 0 0 4[a] 3 28 10
2010–11[42] League One 29 12 2 0 1 1 2[b] 1 34 14
2011–12[43] League One 4 4 — 2 2 — 6 6
Total 100 33 6 2 5 4 13 4 124 43
West Ham United 2011–12[43] Championship 23 5 1 0 — — 24 5
Bristol City 2012–13[44] Championship 34 10 0 0 — — 34 10
2013–14[45] League One 45 24 4 1 3 1 2[a] 0 54 26
2014–15[46] League One 4 0 — 0 0 — 4 0
Total 83 34 4 1 3 1 2 0 92 36
Brighton & Hove Albion 2014–15[46] Championship 20 3 2 1 0 0 — 22 4
2015–16[47] Championship 28 4 1 0 2 0 2[b] 0 33 4
2016–17[48] Championship 31 11 0 0 3 1 — 34 12
2017–18[49] Premier League 2 0 3 0 0 0 — 5 0
Total 81 18 6 1 5 1 2 0 94 20
Reading 2018–19[50] Championship 21 5 0 0 2 0 — 23 5
2019–20[51] Championship 24 5 2 1 2 0 — 28 6
2020–21[52] Championship 20 0 1 0 2 0 — 23 0
Total 65 10 3 1 6 0 0 0 74 11
Derby County 2021–22[53] Championship 13 2 1 0 0 0 — 14 2
Oxford United 2021–22[53] League One 7 4 0 0 0 0 — 7 4
2022–23[54] League One 4 0 0 0 0 0 — 4 0
2023–24[55] League One 0 0 0 0 0 0 — 0 0
Total 11 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 11 4
Career total 376 106 21 5 19 6 17 4 433 121
  1. ^ a b c d e Appearance(s) in Football League Trophy
  2. ^ a b c Appearances in Football League play-offs

Honours

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Milton Keynes Dons

West Ham United

Brighton & Hove Albion

Individual

References

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  1. ^ "FIFA U-20 World Cup Egypt 2009™: List of Players: England" (PDF). FIFA. 6 October 2009. p. 7. Archived (PDF) from the original on 13 October 2009.
  2. ^ "Sam Baldock – Forward". www.readingfc.co.uk. Reading F.C. Archived from the original on 10 April 2021. Retrieved 21 March 2020.
  3. ^ Rollin, Glenda; Rollin, Jack, eds. (2012). Sky Sports Football Yearbook 2012–2013 (43rd ed.). London: Headline. p. 550. ISBN 978-0-7553-6356-8.
  4. ^ "Sam Baldock". Milton Keynes Dons. Archived from the original on 7 September 2011. Retrieved 17 October 2011. Sam ... joined the club as a 14-year-old. As Baldock was born on 15 March 1989, joining "as a 14-year-old" would mean he entered the youth system before 15 March 2004. Wimbledon F.C. did not become Milton Keynes Dons until July 2004.
  5. ^ "Saints hit sorry Dons for six (MK Citizen 16 September 2004)". Retrieved 11 September 2014.
  6. ^ "Dons under-16s beat Spurs (MK Citizen 17 December 2004)". Retrieved 11 September 2014.
  7. ^ "MK Dons 1, Colchester United 2 (MK Citizen 20 December 2005)". Retrieved 11 September 2014.
  8. ^ a b c d e f "Hammers bag Baldock". whufc.com. Archived from the original on 30 September 2012. Retrieved 27 August 2011.
  9. ^ "Baldock transfer talk ends in Posh war of words". Retrieved 11 September 2014.
  10. ^ "Millwall 0–0 West Ham". BBC Sport. 17 September 2011. Retrieved 16 October 2011.
  11. ^ "Blackpool rout pleases Big Sam". whufc.com. 15 October 2011. Archived from the original on 17 October 2011. Retrieved 16 October 2011.
  12. ^ "Big Sam hails Little Sam". whufc.com. 29 October 2011. Archived from the original on 31 October 2011. Retrieved 29 October 2011.
  13. ^ "Baldock departs". West Ham United F.C. 21 August 2012. Archived from the original on 23 August 2012. Retrieved 21 August 2012.
  14. ^ "Brilliant Baldock signs". Bristol City F.C. 21 August 2012. Archived from the original on 23 August 2012. Retrieved 21 August 2012.
  15. ^ "Bristol City 4–2 Cardiff". BBC Sport. 24 August 2012. Retrieved 11 September 2014.
  16. ^ ""Bristol City 3–5 Blackburn Rovers"". BBC Sport. 14 September 2012. Retrieved 11 September 2014.
  17. ^ "Bristol City relegated to League One". Bristol Post. 17 April 2013. Archived from the original on 20 April 2013. Retrieved 21 July 2016.
  18. ^ "Steven Davies: Blackpool sign Bristol City striker". BBC Sport. 26 July 2013. Retrieved 21 July 2016.
  19. ^ "Gillingham 0–2 Bristol City". BBC Sport. 6 August 2013. Retrieved 21 July 2016.
  20. ^ "Coventry 5–4 Bristol City". BBC Sport. 11 August 2013. Retrieved 21 July 2016.
  21. ^ "It was emotional – Baldock". Bristol City F.C. 26 August 2013. Retrieved 21 July 2016.
  22. ^ a b "Bristol City striker Sam Baldock lands the League One Golden Boot and thanks his team-mates". Archived from the original on 4 May 2014.
  23. ^ "BBC Sport — Sam Baldock: Brighton & Hove Albion sign Bristol City striker". BBC Sport. 27 August 2014. Retrieved 11 September 2014.
  24. ^ "Sale of Sam Baldock earned Bristol City "close to" £2 million — Bristol Post". Bristol Post. Archived from the original on 3 September 2014. Retrieved 11 September 2014.
  25. ^ "Sam Baldock is a Royal!". readingfc.co.uk. Reading F.C. 30 July 2018. Retrieved 30 July 2018.
  26. ^ "Contracts offered, clauses triggered, loans end and best wishes issued for those set for pastures new…". readingfc.co.uk/. Reading F.C. 11 May 2021. Retrieved 11 May 2021.
  27. ^ "RAMS ADD JAGIELKA AND BALDOCK TO THE RANKS". www.dcfc.co.uk. 17 August 2021.
  28. ^ "Hull City 0–1 Derby County: Sam Baldock scores winner on Rams debut". BBC Sport. 18 August 2021. Retrieved 19 August 2021.
  29. ^ "Rooney Confirms Baldock To Depart Derby". www.dcfc.co.uk. 13 January 2022. Retrieved 18 January 2022.
  30. ^ "Sam Baldock Signs For Oxford United". Oxford United F.C. 3 February 2022. Retrieved 3 February 2022.
  31. ^ "Charlton Athletic 0 Oxford United 4". BBC Sport. 19 February 2022. Retrieved 27 February 2022.
  32. ^ "Sam Baldock Signs". www.oufc.co.uk. 16 May 2022. Retrieved 16 May 2022.
  33. ^ "Sam Baldock confirms retirement". Oxford United. 14 September 2023. Retrieved 14 September 2023.
  34. ^ Chard, James (26 August 2009). "Baldock surprised by England call". MK Citizen. Retrieved 12 September 2009.
  35. ^ "Baldock set for U20 World Cup". Milton Keynes Dons. 11 September 2009. Archived from the original on 14 September 2009. Retrieved 12 September 2009.
  36. ^ "Sam Baldock signs for Oxford United". Oxford United F.C. 4 February 2022. Retrieved 19 March 2022.
  37. ^ "Games played by Sam Baldock in 2005/2006". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 28 February 2018.
  38. ^ "Games played by Sam Baldock in 2006/2007". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 28 February 2018.
  39. ^ "Games played by Sam Baldock in 2007/2008". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 28 February 2018.
  40. ^ "Games played by Sam Baldock in 2008/2009". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 28 February 2018.
  41. ^ "Games played by Sam Baldock in 2009/2010". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 28 February 2018.
  42. ^ "Games played by Sam Baldock in 2010/2011". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 28 February 2018.
  43. ^ a b "Games played by Sam Baldock in 2011/2012". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 28 February 2018.
  44. ^ "Games played by Sam Baldock in 2012/2013". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 28 February 2018.
  45. ^ "Games played by Sam Baldock in 2013/2014". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 28 February 2018.
  46. ^ a b "Games played by Sam Baldock in 2014/2015". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 28 February 2018.
  47. ^ "Games played by Sam Baldock in 2015/2016". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 28 February 2018.
  48. ^ "Games played by Sam Baldock in 2016/2017". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 28 February 2018.
  49. ^ "Games played by Sam Baldock in 2017/2018". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 14 May 2018.
  50. ^ "Games played by Sam Baldock in 2018/2019". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 26 August 2018.
  51. ^ "Games played by Sam Baldock in 2019/2020". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 15 March 2021.
  52. ^ "Games played by Sam Baldock in 2020/2021". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 15 March 2021.
  53. ^ a b "Games played by Sam Baldock in 2021/2022". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 19 August 2021.
  54. ^ "Games played by Sam Baldock in 2022/2023". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 16 September 2023.
  55. ^ "Games played by Sam Baldock in 2023/2024". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 16 September 2023.
  56. ^ Mitchener, Mark (30 March 2008). "Grimsby 0–2 MK Dons". BBC Sport. Retrieved 16 March 2024.
  57. ^ Fletcher, Paul (19 May 2012). "Blackpool 1–2 West Ham". BBC Sport. Archived from the original on 13 January 2016.
  58. ^ "Albion could net almost £5 million from Sam Baldock's move to Reading". The Argus. 31 July 2018. Retrieved 18 November 2018.
  59. ^ "Baldock named Young Player of the Month". The Football League. 13 September 2010. Archived from the original on 16 September 2010.
  60. ^ "Player and Supporter of the Year awards". 28 July 2014. Retrieved 18 November 2018.
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