Sam's next step on the road to a professional rugby league career
A St Annes teenager from a football-mad family has taken a big step towards sporting stardom – in rugby league.
Sam Littler has signed his first professional contract with leading Championship side Oldham and would love to make his debut against his former club Salford this month.
The 18-year-old back row forward is the younger brother of Fleetwood Town midfielder Zack Littler, but is delighted his sporting career has moved in a different direction.
Sam told The Gazette: “I always played football as a boy and all the family are big football fans.
“Then I went to AKS and fell in love with rugby. They told me the best thing to do was get involved with Fylde, which I did.”
Sam moved on to Kirkham Grammar School, captaining their first XV, and then switched codes after coming to the attention of Salford Red Devils.
He progressed well in their Academy last year, though a disastrous Super League season ended with the club wound up over outstanding debts.
Sam has welcomed a new challenge, though as fate would have it, the Salford club has been reborn, accepted into the Championship and will be Oldham’s first opponents of the season on January 18.
“I’m pleased Salford have a fresh start but I’m buzzing over the new deal with Oldham,” added Sam.
“I’ve been training for around three weeks and I’m hoping to be part of the first-team this season.
“I’ve spoken with the coaches, who say I’m doing well. Another option is to go out on loan and pick up more experience.
“It’s great to be a professional rugby player and hopefully I’ll pick up a few converts in our family.”
No-one was happier to welcome a Fylde coast recruit to Oldham than the 150-year-old club’s vice-president John Chadwick, who strove to re-establish the sport in this area and served as chairman of Blackpool Panthers in the RFL from 2005-10.
Chadwick added: “We’ve signed Sam as a promising back-rower. He’s a great lad with an excellent attitude.”