Dorking and Loxwood winger Beard attracts interest from Championship clubs

The left-sided player left Loxwood for Ryman League South Division leaders Dorking Wanderers last month and has already impressed watching scouts.

The Haywards Heath based 18-year-old, has developed under the watchful eye of his dad – former Southend and Millwall man Mark.

Having been released from Brighton & Hove Albion at the age of 16, Sam has played academy and men’s football under Mark’s reign at Loxwood and his former Love the Ball set-up.

He impressed a number of watching scouts during Dorking’s 7-1 hammering of Horsham last week and did the same previously against Worthing. Mark said: “Since going to Dorking he has been playing really well and they are on a good run. Being top of the league, a lot of people and scouts are going to watch them as they have a good group of players.

“I honestly don’t know what is going to happen. We had a few phone calls over the weekend from different clubs and people. I have just told him not to worry about it. He needs to keep playing well for Dorking, and see what happens. He is very grounded anyway and just enjoys his football.”

Mark believes having introduced Sam to adult non-league football at a young age has also benefitted him.

He added: “When he was released by Brighton it was a massive blow for him. But he did the best thing. He could have gone to another academy, but he came with me to Loxwood.

“He started playing non-league at 16 and has now played 100 games of adult football.

“It’s prepared him more. He is more used to the knocks and is two years ahead of those boys in the academies – as long as he was getting the right coaching, which he was.”

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