{{short description|Trinidad and Tobago footballer}} {{BLP sources|date=January 2024}} {{EngvarB|date=November 2021}} {{Use dmy dates|date=November 2021}} {{Infobox football biography | name = Collin Samuel <br><small>[[Chaconia Medal|CM]]</small> | fullname = Collin Andrew Samuel<ref>{{cite web|title=Collin Andrew Samuel|url=http://www.playerhistory.com/player/7894/|publisher=Player History|access-date=13 February 2012}}</ref> | birth_date = {{birth date and age|1981|8|27|df=y}} | birth_place = [[Manzanilla, Trinidad and Tobago|Manzanilla]], Trinidad and Tobago | height = {{height|ft=5|in=9}}<ref>{{cite web|title=Collin Samuel|url=http://www.mlssoccer.com/players/collin-samuel|publisher=Major League Soccer|access-date=13 February 2012}}</ref> | position = [[Winger (association football)|Winger]], [[striker (association football)|striker]] | currentclub = | years1 = 1998–2000 | clubs1 = [[Doc's Khelwalaas]] | caps1 = | goals1 = | years2 = 2000–2002 | clubs2 = [[San Juan Jabloteh]] | caps2 = | goals2 = | years3 = 2002–2003 | clubs3 = [[Falkirk F.C.|Falkirk]] | caps3 = 34 | goals3 = 11 | years4 = 2003–2007 | clubs4 = [[Dundee United F.C.|Dundee United]] | caps4 = 116 | goals4 = 14 | years5 = 2007–2008 | clubs5 = [[Toronto FC]] | caps5 = 19 | goals5 = 3 | years6 = 2008–2011 | clubs6 = [[St Johnstone F.C.|St Johnstone]] | caps6 = 83 | goals6 = 13 | years7 = 2011 | clubs7 = [[Luton Town F.C.|Luton Town]] | caps7 = 1 | goals7 = 0 | years8 = 2012 | clubs8 = [[Arbroath F.C.|Arbroath]] | caps8 = 14 | goals8 = 4 | years9 = 2012 | clubs9 = [[East Fife F.C.|East Fife]] | caps9 = 22 | goals9 = 3 | years10 = 2013–2014 | clubs10 = [[Sauchie F.C.|Sauchie]] | years11 = 2014–2016 | clubs11 = [[Guaya United F.C.|Guaya United]] | years12 = 2016–2017 | clubs12 = [[Ma Pau Stars S.C.|Ma Pau Stars]] | nationalyears1 = 2002–2009 | nationalteam1 = [[Trinidad and Tobago national football team|Trinidad and Tobago]] | nationalcaps1 = 24 | nationalgoals1 = 5 }}
'''Collin Andrew Samuel''' [[Chaconia Medal|CM]] (born 27 August 1981) is a [[Trinidad and Tobago]] former professional [[association football|footballer]] who played as a [[winger (association football)|winger]] or [[striker (association football)|striker]]. He represented [[Trinidad and Tobago national football team|Trinidad and Tobago]] at senior international level and played in the [[2006 FIFA World Cup|2006 World Cup]]. He played abroad professionally for a number of clubs in Scotland, including [[Falkirk F.C.|Falkirk]], [[Dundee United F.C.|Dundee United]] and [[St Johnstone F.C.|St Johnstone]], as well as [[Toronto FC]] in Canada and [[Luton Town F.C.|Luton Town]] in England.
==Club career==
===Early career=== Samuel began his career with Doc's Khelwalaas of his native Trinidad, where he played from 1998 to 2000. In 2000, he moved to one of the nation's largest clubs, [[San Juan Jabloteh]], where he played the 2001 and 2002 seasons.
===Falkirk=== Samuel moved to Scotland in August 2002 when he was scouted by Simon Lindsay for [[Falkirk F.C.|Falkirk]]. He scored 16 goals in 42 appearances in his first season for the then-Scottish First Division side, including a first half hat-trick in a 4–0 [[Scottish Cup]] victory against [[Heart of Midlothian F.C.|Hearts]]. During his spell with Falkirk, he had an unsuccessful trial with [[Everton F.C.|Everton]] in the English [[Premier League]].
===Dundee United=== Samuel moved to [[Scottish Premier League]] club [[Dundee United F.C.|Dundee United]] on 11 July 2003 for £100,000.
Samuel was not as prolific at [[Tannadice Park|Tannadice]], scoring just 15 goals in total during his four seasons there. Despite scoring on his debut, Samuel managed just one more all season and failed to score at all during [[2004���05 in Scottish football|2004–05]]. Samuel was part of the Dundee United match day squad which participated in the [[Scottish Cup]] final in season [[2004–05 in Scottish football|2004–05]] against [[Celtic F.C.|Celtic]]. Despite losing that cup final 1–0, the team still qualified for the following season's [[UEFA Cup]] in which Samuel scored against Finnish team, [[MyPa]], at Tannadice in the second leg of the qualifying round tie. Finding his form somewhat that particular season, he managed seven goals, including three in four games during December. In [[2006–07 in Scottish football|2006–07]], however, Samuel scored five times for United.<ref name="Arabarchiveentry">{{cite web|title=Collin Samuel Player Profile|url=https://www.arabarchive.co.uk/player.php?id=73|website=arabarchive |access-date=11 July 2018}}</ref> Generally starting from the bench, he was frequently used as a right midfielder or as a forward. Samuel was told he was free to leave Dundee United at the end of the 2006–07 season,<ref name="free">{{cite news|url=http://www.thecourier.co.uk/output/2007/05/15/sportstory9712871t0.asp|title=Samuel on way out at Tannadice|publisher=[[The Courier (Dundee)]]|date=15 May 2007|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070520155433/http://www.thecourier.co.uk/output/2007/05/15/sportstory9712871t0.asp|archive-date=20 May 2007}}</ref> with interest shown by [[Major League Soccer]] side [[Toronto FC]] and Scottish First Division side, St Johnstone.<ref name="samuel">{{cite news|url=http://www.thecourier.co.uk/output/2007/05/16/sportstory9718025t0.asp|title=Visa blow for Samuel|publisher=[[The Courier (Dundee)]]|date=16 May 2007|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070524161918/http://www.thecourier.co.uk/output/2007/05/16/sportstory9718025t0.asp|archive-date=24 May 2007}}</ref> Samuel subsequently played his last game for Dundee United in their final game of the 2006–07 season, a 0–0 draw at home to Motherwell.
===Toronto FC=== After being released by [[Dundee United F.C.|Dundee United]], media speculation increasingly linked him with moves to a team in the [[Major League Soccer]] and the aforementioned [[St Johnstone F.C.|St Johnstone]]. Samuel eventually signed for MLS side [[Toronto FC]], during which time he started every game for the Canadian club, making 19 appearances and scoring three goals for the injury-racked club in their inaugural season. He was released from Toronto FC in April 2008 for personal reasons, with the club allowed a limited number of international players on their roster.
===St Johnstone=== Samuel then signed a two-year deal with [[Scottish Football League First Division|Scottish First Division]] side St Johnstone on 6 May 2008 where he proceeded to play no small part in the campaign that led to promotion back to the Scottish Premier League for the 2009–10 season.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/s/st_johnstone/7385622.stm|title= Samuel joins up at St Johnstone|access-date=6 May 2008 | work=BBC News | date=6 May 2008}}</ref>
Despite being injured for half of the season in St Johnstone's return to the SPL in 2009–10, he still managed seven SPL goals plus one in the cup. He has signed a one-year contract for the 2010–11 campaign, scoring three goals in 36 appearances over the season. He was released at the end of his contract in May 2011.
===Later career=== Samuel was signed on 31 August 2011, the transfer deadline day, by [[Luton Town F.C.|Luton Town]] of the English [[Conference Premier]],<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/14741552|title= Luton sign forwards Stuart Fleetwood and Collin Samuel|access-date=1 September 2011 | work=BBC Sport | date=31 August 2011}}</ref> but left the club by mutual consent after playing one game.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/15641391|title= Collin Samuel exits Luton Town after one game|access-date=8 November 2011 | work=BBC Sport | date=8 November 2011}}</ref>
Following an unsuccessful trial with [[Livingston F.C.|Livingston]], Samuel signed for Scottish Second Division club [[Arbroath F.C.|Arbroath]] on 20 January 2012 until the end of the 2011–12 season.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/16664929|title=Arbroath secure international striker Collin Samuel|work=BBC Sport|publisher=BBC|date=21 January 2012|access-date=21 January 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/16664929|title=Arbroath sign-up international striker Collin Samuel|work=BBC Sport|publisher=BBC|date=21 January 2012|access-date=21 January 2012}}</ref> In the summer of 2012, Samuel moved to [[East Fife F.C.|East Fife]], another Second Division club until the end of the season.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/19037867|title=Scottish Division Two ins and outs|work=BBC Sport|publisher=BBC|date=7 August 2012|access-date=7 August 2012}}</ref>
In August 2013, Samuel had a successful trial with Junior outfit Sauchie and signed a contract for the 2013–14 season.
In 2015 he became [[James Baird (footballer)|James Baird]]'s player/assistant manager at [[Guaya United F.C.|Guaya United]]. In February 2016, he joined [[North East Stars F.C.|North East Stars]] as a player-coach
Samuel returned to Scotland for work and joined Mill AFC as player/coach.<ref>{{cite news|title=Samuel now player/coach at North East Stars|url=http://www.guardian.co.tt/sport/2016-02-12/samuel-now-playercoach-north-east-stars|access-date=14 January 2018|work=Trinidad and Tobago Guardian|date=12 February 2016|location=Port of Spain}}</ref>
==International career== Samuel played for the [[Trinidad and Tobago national football team|Trinidad and Tobago national team]], having made his debut on 11 January 2002.<ref>{{cite web|title=Collin Andrew Samuel|url=http://socawarriors.net/mens-senior-team/senior-team-news/player-pool.html?view=playerprofile&id=390|publisher=Soca Warriors|access-date=13 February 2012|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120131054631/http://socawarriors.net/mens-senior-team/senior-team-news/player-pool.html?view=playerprofile&id=390|archive-date=31 January 2012}}</ref> He played for the team in the [[2002 CONCACAF Gold Cup]] and was called up to the [[2006 FIFA World Cup|2006 World Cup]] squad. He started the opening group match against [[Sweden men's national football team|Sweden]] and helped the team earn a goalless draw.
As a member of [[Trinidad and Tobago at the 2006 FIFA World Cup|the squad]] that competed at the 2006 FIFA World Cup in Germany, Samuel was awarded the [[Chaconia Medal|Chaconia Medal (Gold Class)]], the second highest [[Orders, decorations, and medals of Trinidad and Tobago|state decoration]] of Trinidad and Tobago.<ref>{{cite web |title=Birchall and Bell up for award |url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/coventry/content/articles/2006/11/13/midlands_sports_awards_feature.shtml |website=[[BBC Sport]] |access-date=6 September 2021}}</ref>
==Career statistics== {| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" |+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competition<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.world-soccer.org/p-26587.htm |title=Collin Andrew Samuel |publisher=World-soccer.org |access-date=17 October 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090914032303/http://www.world-soccer.org/p-26587.htm |archive-date=14 September 2009 |url-status=usurped }}</ref> |- !rowspan="2"|Club !rowspan="2"|Season !colspan="3"|League !colspan="2"|National Cup !colspan="2"|League Cup !colspan="2"|Continental !colspan="2"|Other !colspan="2"|Total |- !Division!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals |- |[[Falkirk F.C.|Falkirk]] |[[2002–03 Scottish First Division|2002–03]] |[[Scottish Football League First Division|Scottish First Division]] |33||11||4||4||3||1||colspan="2"|–||colspan="2"|–||40||16 |- |rowspan="5"|[[Dundee United F.C.|Dundee United]] |[[2003–04 Scottish Premier League|2003–04]] |rowspan="4"|[[Scottish Premier League]] |26||2||1||0||2||0||colspan="2"|–||colspan="2"|–||29||2 |- |[[2004–05 Scottish Premier League|2004–05]] |18||0||3||0||3||0||colspan="2"|–||colspan="2"|–||24||0 |- |[[2005–06 Scottish Premier League|2005–06]] |35||7||1||0||1||0||1||1||colspan="2"|–||38||8 |- |[[2006–07 Scottish Premier League|2006–07]] |37||5||2||0||2||0||colspan="2"|–||colspan="2"|–||41||5 |- !colspan="2"|Total !116!!14!!7!!0!!8!!0!!1!!1!!0!!0!!132!!15 |- |rowspan="3"|[[Toronto FC|Toronto]] |[[2007 Major League Soccer season|2007]] |rowspan="2"|[[Major League Soccer]] |18||3||||||||||||||colspan="2"|–||18||3 |- |[[2008 Major League Soccer season|2008]] |1||0||||||||||||||colspan="2"|–||1||0 |- !colspan="2"|Total !19!!3!!0!!0!!0!!0!!0!!0!!0!!0!!19!!3 |- |rowspan="4"|[[St Johnstone F.C.|St Johnstone]] |[[2008–09 Scottish First Division|2008–09]] |[[Scottish First Division]] |28||6||1||0||1||0||colspan="2"|–||colspan="2"|–||30||6 |- |[[2009–10 Scottish Premier League|2009–10]] |rowspan="2"|Scottish Premier League |27||5||0||0||1||2||colspan="2"|–||colspan="2"|–||28||7 |- |[[2010–11 Scottish Premier League|2010–11]] |28||2||5||1||3||0||colspan="2"|–||colspan="2"|–||36||3 |- !colspan="2"|Total !83!!13!!6!!1!!5!!2!!0!!0!!0!!0!!94!!16 |- |[[Luton Town F.C.|Luton Town]] |[[2011-12 Football Conference|2011–12]] |[[Conference Premier]] |1||0||0||0||colspan="2"|–||colspan="2"|–||colspan="2"|–||1||0 |- |[[Arbroath F.C.|Arbroath]] |[[2011–12 Scottish Second Division|2011–12]] |[[Scottish Football League Second Division|Scottish Second Division]] |13||4||0||0||0||0||colspan="2"|–||colspan="2"|–||13||4 |- |[[East Fife F.C.|East Fife]] |[[2012–13 Scottish Second Division|2012–13]] |Scottish Second Division |22||3||0||0||0||0||colspan="2"|–||5{{efn|Four appearances in Scottish Second Division play-offs; one appearance, one goal in [[Scottish Challenge Cup]]}}||1||27||4 |- !colspan="3"|Career total !287!!48!!17!!5!!16!!3!!1!!1!!5!!1!!326!!58 |}
{{notelist}}
==Honours== '''San Juan Jabloteh''' * [[Trinidad and Tobago League Cup|First Citizens Cup]]: 2000
'''Falkirk''' * [[Scottish First Division]]: [[2002–03 Scottish First Division|2002–03]]<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2003/may/23/newsstory.sport1|title=Falkirk denied SPL promotion|newspaper=[[The Guardian]]|date=23 May 2009|access-date=26 March 2019}}</ref> * [[Stirlingshire Cup]]: [[2002–03 in Scottish football|2002–03]]<ref>{{cite web | url=http://sfha.org.uk/stirlingshirecup.htm | title=Stirlingshire Cup | date=2 July 2020 | work=SFHA | access-date=4 June 2021}}</ref>
'''Dundee United''' * [[Scottish Cup]] Runner-up: [[2005 Scottish Cup Final|2004–05]] * [[Forfarshire Cup]]: [[2004–05 in Scottish football|2004–05]]<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.arabarchive.co.uk/matchdetails.php?id=4800 | title=Forfarshire Cup Final 2005 | publisher=Arab Archives | access-date=4 June 2021}}</ref>
'''St Johnstone''' * [[Scottish First Division]]: [[2008–09 Scottish First Division|2008–09]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/scot_div_1/8028043.stm|title=St Johnstone 3-1 Greenock Morton|publisher=[[BBC]]|date=2 May 2009|access-date=30 March 2019}}</ref>
'''Arbroath''' *[[Scottish Second Division]]: Runner-up [[2011–12 Scottish Second Division|2011–12]]
'''Sauchie Juniors''' * East of Scotland Cup: [[2013–14 in Scottish football|2013–14]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.alloaadvertiser.com/news/13535133.super-sauchie-show-their-mettle-at-both-ends-to-secure-historic-east-of-scotland-cup-win/|title=Super Sauchie show their mettle at both ends to secure historic East of Scotland Cup win|date=20 June 2014|publisher=Alloa Advertiser|access-date=30 March 2019}}</ref>
'''Individual''' *[[File:TTO_Chaconia_Medal.png|60px]] [[Chaconia Medal]] Gold Class: 2006
==References== {{reflist}}
==External links== *{{Soccerbase}} *{{NFT player|6681}}
{{Navboxes | title = Trinidad and Tobago squads | bg = #ce1126 | fg = white | bordercolor = black | list1 = {{Trinidad and Tobago squad 2002 CONCACAF Gold Cup}} {{Trinidad and Tobago squad 2005 CONCACAF Gold Cup}} {{Trinidad and Tobago squad 2006 FIFA World Cup}} }}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Samuel, Collin}} [[Category:1981 births]] [[Category:Living people]] [[Category:People from Saint Andrew County]] [[Category:Trinidad and Tobago men's footballers]] [[Category:21st-century Trinidad and Tobago sportsmen]] [[Category:Trinidad and Tobago men's international footballers]] [[Category:Men's association football forwards]] [[Category:San Juan Jabloteh F.C. players]] [[Category:Falkirk F.C. players]] [[Category:Dundee United F.C. players]] [[Category:Toronto FC players]] [[Category:St Johnstone F.C. players]] [[Category:Luton Town F.C. players]] [[Category:Arbroath F.C. players]] [[Category:TT Pro League players]] [[Category:Scottish Football League players]] [[Category:Scottish Premier League players]] [[Category:Major League Soccer players]] [[Category:2002 CONCACAF Gold Cup players]] [[Category:2005 CONCACAF Gold Cup players]] [[Category:2006 FIFA World Cup players]] [[Category:Trinidad and Tobago expatriate men's footballers]] [[Category:Expatriate men's footballers in Scotland]] [[Category:Expatriate men's soccer players in Canada]] [[Category:East Fife F.C. players]] [[Category:Recipients of the Chaconia Medal]] [[Category:Trinidad and Tobago expatriate sportspeople in Canada]] [[Category:Trinidad and Tobago expatriate sportspeople in Scotland]] [[Category:Guaya United F.C. players]] [[Category:Expatriate men's footballers in England]]