{{short description|English footballer (1912–1993)}} {{for|the American journalist, evangelist, and prohibitionist|Samuel W. Small}} {{Use dmy dates|date=March 2016}} {{Use British English|date=March 2016}} {{Infobox football biography | name = Sam Small | image = | fullname = Samuel John Small | birth_date = {{birth date|1912|5|15|df=y}} | birth_place = Birmingham, England | death_date = {{death date and age|1993|12|19|1912|5|15|df=y}} | death_place = Birmingham, England | height = {{height|ft=5|in=10}}<ref name="height">{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/evening-despatch-birmingham-fc-3536-pre/130563437/ |title=Faith in "Blues'" fowrard line. No new "stars" |newspaper=Evening Despatch |location=Birmingham |date=1 August 1935 |page=13 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> | position = Centre forward | youthyears1 = | youthclubs1 = | years1 = | clubs1 = Bromsgrove Rovers | years2 = 1934–1937 | clubs2 = Birmingham | caps2 = 6 | goals2 = 0 | years3 = 1937–1948 | clubs3 = West Ham United | caps3 = 108 | goals3 = 39 | years4 = 1948–1950 | clubs4 = Brighton & Hove Albion | caps4 = 38 | goals4 = 0 }} '''Samuel John Small''' (15 May 1912 – 19 December 1993) was an English footballer who played as a centre-forward in the Football League for Birmingham, West Ham United and Brighton & Hove Albion.<ref name=Joyce2012>{{cite book| first=Michael| last=Joyce| title=Football League Players' Records 1888 to 1939| year=2012| orig-year=2002| publisher=SoccerData| location=Nottingham| isbn=978-1-905891-61-0| page=267}}</ref>
Born in Gosta Green, Birmingham, Small started his career at Bromsgrove Rovers.<ref name=Joyce2012/><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.whufc.com/news/articles/2020/june/08-june/sam-small-modest-birmingham-born-cabinet-maker-who-was-west-ham|title = Sam Small: The modest Birmingham-born cabinet-maker who was West Ham United's first Wembley match-winner | West Ham United}}</ref> He made six league appearances for Birmingham before signing for West Ham United in 1937. He scored the only goal in the Football League War Cup final against Blackburn Rovers in 1940.<ref name=Hogg2005>{{cite book |last=Hogg |first=Tony |title=Who's Who of West Ham United |year=2005 |publisher=Profile Sports Media| isbn=1-903135-50-8 |page=189}}</ref>
After 116 league and cup appearances and 41 goals for the east London club, Small transferred to Brighton & Hove Albion in March 1948 and made 38 league appearances without return.<ref name=Hogg2005/>
He died in Birmingham aged 81.<ref>{{cite book |author=Matthews, Tony |title=Birmingham City: A Complete Record |publisher=Breedon Books |location=Derby |year=1995 |isbn=978-1-85983-010-9 |page=124}}</ref>
==References== {{reflist}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Small, Sam}} Category:1912 births Category:1993 deaths Category:Footballers from Birmingham, West Midlands Category:English men's footballers Category:Men's association football forwards Category:Bromsgrove Rovers F.C. players Category:Birmingham City F.C. players Category:West Ham United F.C. players Category:Brighton & Hove Albion F.C. players Category:English Football League players Category:20th-century English sportsmen
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