Sampson Wants To Make Striker`s Position His Own

Sampson was one of the Sandgrounders’ first signings this summer after two years in the National League with Macclesfield Town and time on loan at Chorley.

The 24-year-old is part of a newly-constructed squad put together by manager Alan Lewer and head of development Mark Wright as Southport look to adapt to life at the second level of non-League football.

The Sandgrounders begin the season on Saturday at home to Boston United before matches away at Bradford Park Avenue and Leamington.

Sampson will compete alongside Kaiman Anderson and Ethan Jones for the chance to lead the Southport attack and he is keen to make an impact as the new season begins.

“We’ve signed three strikers so far and I think it’s important that there is competition for places,” he told Alan Jones on the club`s official website. “You need that competition to keep you on your toes and hopefully we can bring out the best in each other.

“As a striker, I’d like to think I’m versatile. I can play up front on my own but I like it when there is someone playing alongside me or just off me and that’s the way we’ve played during pre-season.

“Alan and Mark are very experienced and I’m sure they can get the best out of the squad.

“I’ve played in the National League for Macclesfield over the past few seasons and the target for us has got to be to get back to that level.”

Sampson, a one-time England under-19 international, began his career with Bolton Wanderers before time on loan in the EFL with Southend United and Accrington Stanley.

He played over fifty times for Morecambe in SkyBet League Two and has also featured for his previous clubs as a wide player.

This summer has seen an overhaul in the Southport playing squad, but despite the number of changes, Sampson says that the players have quickly knitted together.

The National League North promises to be competitive and, in Boston, the Sandgrounders will face an early test against one of the division’s bigger clubs.

“We’ve got a mixture of young lads and some experienced players so there’s a nice blend in the team and it’s good to have some older heads who other players can look to,” Sampson added. “I’m feeling quite sharp myself and looking back at pre-season I think the team has looked good overall.

“Everyone is brand new so it’s been a case of getting to know each other and we’ve planned a few things to help us bond as a squad.

“We’re a new group of players but given the amount of time we have had I think we’ve gelled well and we’re looking forward to getting started”.

(Photo: Julia Unwin)