Sammie Szmodics, the current leading scorer for Blackburn Rovers with 14 goals, stands out not just for his on-field prowess but also for a crucial early career decision: rejecting Arsenal in favour of playing for his local team, Colchester United.
Sammie Szmodics, currently Blackburn Rovers‘ top scorer in the Championship with 14 goals, made a pivotal decision early in his career that set him on a unique path.
Despite having the opportunity to join Arsenal, one of England’s most successful clubs, Szmodics chose to stay with his local team, Colchester United.
“When you could play for one of the most successful clubs in England, why bother with your local team?” This question often confronts young footballers. However, Szmodics, now a key player for Blackburn Rovers and one of the unsung heroes of English football in the 2023-24 season, saw things differently.
“From Under-10 level all the way to Under-15 or Under-16 Arsenal always used to invite me down but I just wasn’t interested,” Szmodics recalls. His family’s strong support for Colchester United and his deep-rooted connection with the club influenced his decision significantly.
Szmodics’ choice to turn down Arsenal‘s advances multiple times is a testament to his commitment to his roots. “My family and I were the biggest Colchester United fans and all I wanted to do was play for them,” he explains. His journey through the ranks at Colchester United, from fan and ball boy to academy player and then to the Under-23s, mirrored a progression that felt more meaningful to him than the allure of Premier League football.
Reflecting on what might have been, Szmodics doesn’t harbour any regrets. He muses, “Looking back now it sounds bizarre but if I’d gone to Arsenal at a young age who knows where my career would have taken me? I might not even have ended up being a footballer.” His father’s concerns about the competitive nature of Arsenal‘s youth system, where players were often brought in from overseas, further solidified Szmodics’ decision to stay put.
Szmodics’ career, marked by stints with Colchester United, Bristol City, and Peterborough before joining Blackburn Rovers, illustrates a different kind of success – one grounded in personal values and gradual progression.
His journey through lower leagues, including a loan spell at Braintree, instilled in him a profound appreciation for the game. “There’s nothing wrong with starting in a Premier League academy and having a career in the EFL, but it’s nice to know I’ve played in the National League and worked my way up,” Szmodics says, hoping to take his career even further.
Szmodics’ story is not just about football; it’s also about life’s harsh realities. He dealt with the untimely death of his close friend, Spencer McCall, a semi-professional player who died of Ewing’s sarcoma, a rare form of bone cancer, at the age of 26. This personal tragedy brought a deeper perspective to Szmodics’ life and career. “It makes you appreciate life more, appreciate football more,” he reflects.
At Blackburn Rovers, Szmodics continues to shine, contributing significantly to the team’s push towards the play-offs.