Samuel James Togwell (born 14 October 1984) is an English former professional footballer who plays as a defensive midfielder for Southern League Division One Central club Beaconsfield Town.

Sam Togwell
Togwell playing for Eastleigh in 2017
Personal information
Full name Samuel James Togwell[1]
Date of birth (1984-10-14) 14 October 1984 (age 40)
Place of birth Beaconsfield, England[2]
Height 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)[3]
Position(s) Midfielder
Team information
Current team
Beaconsfield Town
Youth career
1994–2002 Crystal Palace
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2002–2006 Crystal Palace 1 (0)
2004Oxford United (loan) 4 (0)
2005Northampton Town (loan) 9 (0)
2005–2006Port Vale (loan) 27 (2)
2006–2008 Barnsley 66 (2)
2008–2012 Scunthorpe United 159 (5)
2012–2014 Chesterfield 55 (3)
2014Wycombe Wanderers (loan) 4 (0)
2014–2016 Barnet 93 (1)
2016–2018 Eastleigh 45 (1)
2018–2021 Slough Town 86 (5)
2022– Beaconsfield Town 58 (3)
Managerial career
2024– Beaconsfield Town (interim)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 00:49, 17 May 2024 (UTC)

He began his career with Crystal Palace in 2002, where he was loaned out to Oxford United, Northampton Town, and Port Vale. In July 2006, he transferred to Barnsley, before he joined Scunthorpe United in August 2008. He helped the "Iron" to win promotion out of the League One play-offs in 2009. He signed with Chesterfield in July 2012 and became a key player in the 2012–13 season. He lost his first-team place the following season and was loaned to Wycombe Wanderers. He helped Chesterfield to win the League Two title in 2013–14. He signed with Barnet in August 2014 and helped the club to the Conference title in the 2014–15 season. He was sold on to Eastleigh in December 2016 before joining Slough Town in June 2018. He retired in May 2021, having made 606 appearances in all competitions, scoring 23 goals. He came out of retirement the following year to play for Beaconsfield Town.

Career

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Crystal Palace

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Togwell started in the Crystal Palace youth set-up at the age of ten,[4] before making his senior debut as a seventeen-year-old substitute on 22 December 2002 at Millmoor. Palace beat Rotherham United 3–1, returning to London with three First Division points.

He did not get another game in the 2002–03 or 2003–04 seasons, mainly due to a broken leg he sustained in a reserve team match in February 2003.[5] He returned to fitness in September 2003.[6] Togwell joined League Two club Oxford United on loan on 22 October 2004.[7] He made five appearances before returning to Selhurst Park the next month. He rejected a loan move to Norwegian club Viking FK, who were managed by Roy Hodgson.[8] On 24 March 2005, he went back into the basement division to join Northampton Town on a one-month loan.[9] He made eight appearances before his loan deal was extended to cover the play-offs.[10] Southend United defeated the "Cobblers" in the semi-finals, before beating Lincoln City in the final.

Togwell, by now captain of the reserve team, played in the opening three rounds of the League Cup in 2005–06, including a 2–1 defeat of European Champions Liverpool in which he marked Steven Gerrard.[4] On 10 November 2005, he joined League One club Port Vale on a six-week loan deal.[11] He impressed at Vale Park, especially on 6 January when he scored both goals of a FA Cup Third round defeat of Doncaster Rovers.[12] Having already had the loan extended once,[13] Martin Foyle managed to extend the deal until the end of the season after Togwell played some excellent football in January.[14] In March, Vale made Palace an offer, to sign the young midfielder permanently in the summer.[15] The next month, with Togwell and Vale agreed on personal terms, chairman Bill Bratt admitted that the two clubs were a long way from agreeing a deal, with Palace demanding a large sum in transfer fees.[16] The cash-strapped club were forced to abandon hope of signing Togwell after their £50,000 transfer bid was rejected, though handed him the club's "Young Player of The Year" award in recognition of his performances in his 30 games that season.[17][18]

Barnsley

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However, his tenure at Palace did not last much longer, as he left for Barnsley on 12 July 2006 for an undisclosed fee, which was later reported to be £60,000.[19][20] Togwell made his League debut for Barnsley on 5 August 2006, in a 2–1 defeat at Cardiff City. He made 46 appearances in 2006–07, including both Championship clashes with former club Palace, both of which finished 2–0 for the home team. Battling with Bobby Hassell and new signing Anderson Silva de França for a first-team place, he found life tough at Oakwell the next season. In all, he played 27 games, three of which came in the club's impressive FA Cup run, including a substitute appearance in the memorable victory over Premier League team Chelsea.[21]

Scunthorpe United

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Togwell playing for Scunthorpe United in 2011

He joined Scunthorpe United on a free transfer in August 2008, signing a two-year deal.[22] The young midfield battler was optimistic of the club's future, predicting promotion.[23] His prophecy was fulfilled at Wembley, as the "Iron" defeated Millwall 3–2 in the play-off final. He remained a key member of Scunthorpe's first team in the Championship; making 47 appearances in 2009–10, he managed to bag a goal against his former employers at Selhurst Park in the process.[24] Signing a new two-year deal in June 2010,[25] Togwell recovered from a knee injury to make 40 appearances in the 2010–11 campaign.[26] He was given the club's Player of the Year award, the Ernie Storey Memorial Trophy, however, he could not prevent the "Iron" from finishing in last place and thereby suffer relegation back into League One.[27] He made 44 appearances in 2011–12, as Alan Knill led the Glanford Park club to an 18th-place finish in League One. However, he was one of ten players released by the club in May 2012.[28]

Chesterfield

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In July 2012, Togwell joined League Two club Chesterfield on a two-year contract.[29] He made 50 appearances in the 2012–13 campaign. On 14 March 2014, Togwell joined fellow League Two club Wycombe Wanderers on a one-month loan deal.[30] He made his debut for the "Chairboys" the next day in a 2–0 defeat to York City, and gave away a penalty before being sent off for two bookable offences.[31] He returned from suspension to play three games for Wycombe before being recalled by Chesterfield on 9 April.[32] He played a total of ten games for Chesterfield as the "Spireites" won promotion as divisional champions in 2013–14, and was released by manager Paul Cook in the summer.[33]

Barnet

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Togwell joined Barnet of the Conference Premier in August 2014.[34] He missed just four league games of the 2014–15 season as Martin Allen's "Bees" won promotion back into the English Football League as champions of the Conference. He played 40 games in the 2015–16 season and signed a one-year contract extension in May.[35] He underwent a hernia operation in October 2016, which kept him out of action for six weeks.[36] In total he played 99 times for the Bees, scoring one goal.

Eastleigh

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On 15 December 2016, Togwell joined National League club Eastleigh for a fee of £20,000.[37] He signed an 18-month contract; the move reunited him with former Barnet manager Martin Allen.[38] He was appointed as club captain one month later following the departure of Joe Partington.[39] However, he endured a difficult 2017–18 campaign, which started badly as he was ruled out for the first half of the season after picking up a thigh injury in August.[40] By the time he recovered to full fitness manager Richard Hill had been replaced by Andy Hessenthaler, who opted to release Togwell at the end of the campaign.[41][42]

Slough Town

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Togwell joined newly promoted National League South club Slough Town in June 2018, where he joined up with his brother Lee.[43] As well as playing together, the brothers also ran a personal training business together.[44] He scored three goals in 44 matches in the 2018–19 season, helping the "Rebels" to reach the Second Round of the FA Cup, where they were beaten by Gillingham.[45] Slough beat Reading Under-23s 3–1 in the 2019 Berks & Bucks Senior Cup final, with Togwell scoring a brace and his brother scoring the other goal.[46] He scored two goals in 34 games during the 2019–20 season, helping Slough to qualify for the play-off quarter-finals, where they were beaten 3–0 by Dartford.[47] He made 13 appearances before the 2020–21 season was curtailed early due to the COVID-19 pandemic in England.[48][49] He announced his retirement in May 2021.[50]

Beaconsfield Town

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Togwell came out of retirement to play for Southern League Premier Division South club Beaconsfield Town in the 2022–23 season.[51] He made 49 appearances throughout the campaign, scoring two goals.[52] He added another 20 appearances to his name in the 2023–24 season.[52] He went on to become the club's assistant manager, and was appointed interim manager in October 2024 after manager Garry Haylock left the club.[53]

Career statistics

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As of match played 2 March 2024
 
Togwell playing for Wycombe Wanderers in 2014
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League FA Cup League Cup Other Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Crystal Palace 2002–03[54] First Division 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0
2003–04[55] First Division 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
2004–05[56] Premier League 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
2005–06[57] Championship 0 0 0 0 3 0 0 0 3 0
Total 1 0 0 0 3 0 0 0 4 0
Oxford United (loan) 2004–05[56] League Two 4 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 5 0
Northampton Town (loan) 2004–05[56] League Two 9 0 0 0 0 0 1[a] 0 10 0
Port Vale (loan) 2005–06[57] League One 27 2 2 2 0 0 1[b] 0 30 4
Barnsley 2006–07[58] Championship 44 1 2 0 0 0 46 1
2007–08[59] Championship 22 1 3 0 2 0 27 1
Total 66 2 5 0 2 0 0 0 73 2
Scunthorpe United 2008–09[60] League One 43 2 3 1 0 0 5[c] 1 51 4
2009–10[61] Championship 41 2 2 0 4 0 47 2
2010–11[62] Championship 36 0 1 0 3 0 40 0
2011–12[63] League One 39 1 2 0 2 0 1[b] 0 44 1
Total 159 5 8 1 9 0 6 1 182 7
Wycombe Wanderers (loan) 2013–14[64] League Two 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 4 0
Chesterfield 2012–13[65] League Two 45 3 2 0 1 0 2[b] 0 50 3
2013–14[64] League Two 10 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 10 0
Total 56 3 2 0 1 0 2 0 61 3
Barnet 2014–15[66] Conference Premier 42 0 3 0 0 0 45 0
2015–16[67] League Two 39 1 0 0 1 0 0 0 40 1
2016–17[68] League Two 12 0 0 0 1 0 1[d] 0 14 0
Total 93 1 3 0 2 0 1 0 99 1
Eastleigh 2016–17[68][48] National League 23 1 1 0 0 0 24 1
2017–18[69][48] National League 22 0 1 0 0 0 23 0
Total 45 1 2 0 0 0 47 1
Slough Town 2018–19[48] National League South 40 3 4 0 0 0 44 3
2019–20[48] National League South 34 2 0 0 1[e] 0 35 2
2020–21[48] National League South 12 0 0 0 1[f] 0 13 0
Total 86 5 4 0 0 0 2 0 92 5
Beaconsfield Town 2022–23[52] SFL Premier Division South 43 2 1 0 5[g] 0 49 2
2023–24[52] SFL Premier Division South 15 1 2 0 3[h] 0 20 1
Total 58 3 3 0 0 0 8 0 69 3
Career total 607 22 26 3 17 0 21 1 676 26
  1. ^ Appearance in the League Two play-offs
  2. ^ a b c Appearances in the Football League Trophy
  3. ^ Four appearances and a goal in the Football League Trophy and one appearance in the League One play-offs
  4. ^ Appearance in the EFL Trophy
  5. ^ Appearance in the National League South play-offs
  6. ^ Appearance in the FA Trophy
  7. ^ Three appearances in the FA Trophy and two appearances in the Berks & Bucks Senior Cup
  8. ^ Two appearances in the FA Trophy and one appearance in the Berks & Bucks Senior Cup

Honours

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Scunthorpe United

Chesterfield

Barnet

Slough Town

Individual

References

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  1. ^ "Sam Togwell". Barry Hugman's Footballers. Retrieved 9 March 2017.
  2. ^ Rollin, Glenda; Rollin, Jack, eds. (2012). Sky Sports Football Yearbook 2012–2013 (43rd ed.). London: Headline. p. 524. ISBN 978-0-7553-6356-8.
  3. ^ "FootballSquads – Port Vale – 2005/06". footballsquads.co.uk. Retrieved 24 June 2019.
  4. ^ a b "Sam Togwell: The Potteries workhorse". The Independent. 11 April 2006. Archived from the original on 3 June 2008. Retrieved 29 July 2009.
  5. ^ "Pirates sink reserves". Holmesdale Online. 3 February 2003. Retrieved 29 October 2022.
  6. ^ "Togwell returns". Holmesdale Online. 25 September 2003. Retrieved 29 October 2022.
  7. ^ "Togwell goes on-loan". Holmesdale Online. 22 October 2004. Retrieved 29 October 2022.
  8. ^ "Togwell rejects Vikings". Holmesdale Online. 11 March 2005. Retrieved 29 October 2022.
  9. ^ "Togwell becomes a Cobbler". Holmesdale Online. 24 March 2005. Retrieved 29 October 2022.
  10. ^ "Togwell extends Northampton loan". BBC Sport. 11 May 2005. Retrieved 29 July 2009.
  11. ^ "Port Vale secure Togwell on loan". BBC Sport. 10 November 2005. Retrieved 29 July 2009.
  12. ^ "Port Vale 2–1 Doncaster". BBC Sport. 7 January 2006. Retrieved 29 July 2009.
  13. ^ "Togwell extends loan at Port Vale". BBC Sport. 6 January 2006. Retrieved 29 July 2009.
  14. ^ "Foyle extends Togwell loan deal". BBC Sport. 25 January 2006. Retrieved 29 July 2009.
  15. ^ "Port Vale move to retain Togwell". BBC Sport. 9 March 2006. Retrieved 29 July 2009.
  16. ^ "Clubs at loggerheads over Togwell". BBC Sport. 20 April 2006. Retrieved 29 July 2009.
  17. ^ "Togwell leaves for Tykes". Holmesdale Online. 12 July 2006. Retrieved 29 October 2022.
  18. ^ "Player of the Year Awards". port-vale.co.uk. 10 May 2011. Archived from the original on 9 June 2012. Retrieved 24 October 2011.
  19. ^ "Togwell signs two-year Tykes deal". BBC Sport. 12 July 2006. Retrieved 29 July 2009.
  20. ^ "Ex-Files Scunthorpe: Sam Togwell". Holmesdale Online. August 2010.
  21. ^ "Barnsley 1-0 Chelsea". BBC. 8 March 2008. Retrieved 3 January 2014.
  22. ^ "Irion Sign Togwell". Scunthorpe United F.C. 14 August 2008. Archived from the original on 4 October 2011. Retrieved 29 July 2009.
  23. ^ "Scunthorpe reveal double signing". BBC Sport. 15 August 2008. Retrieved 29 July 2009.
  24. ^ "Crystal Palace 0 – 4 Scunthorpe". BBC Sport. 12 September 2009. Retrieved 5 July 2011.
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  27. ^ a b "Vote For Your Player of the Season 2015/16". Scunthorpe United F.C. 2 May 2016. Retrieved 27 August 2017.
  28. ^ "Cliff Byrne heads Scunthorpe United departures". BBC. 10 May 2012. Retrieved 10 May 2012.
  29. ^ "Togwell Signs For Spireites". Chesterfield F.C. 2 July 2012. Archived from the original on 4 July 2012. Retrieved 2 July 2012.
  30. ^ "Wycombe Wanderers sign Togwell". Wycombe Wanderers FC. 14 March 2014.
  31. ^ "York City 2 – 0 Wycombe". BBC Sport. 15 March 2014. Retrieved 19 March 2014.
  32. ^ "Togwell back, Bennett goes". Orange News. Retrieved 9 April 2014.
  33. ^ "Chesterfield offer new deals to five including Ritchie Humphreys". BBC Sport. 13 May 2014. Retrieved 13 May 2014.
  34. ^ Bodell, Tom (2 August 2014). "Barnet have signed former Crystal Palace and Scunthorpe United midfielder Sam Togwell ahead of the 2014/15 season". Times Series. Retrieved 2 August 2014.
  35. ^ "Sam Togwell extends contract at Barnet". Sky Sports. 17 May 2016. Retrieved 23 May 2016.
  36. ^ Stafford, Dominique (10 October 2016). "Barnet midfielder Togwell facing six weeks out of action". Barnet & Whetstone Press. Retrieved 14 May 2017.
  37. ^ "Official: Sam Togwell leaves Barnet". barnetfc.com. 15 December 2016. Retrieved 15 December 2016.
  38. ^ Gee, Wendy (16 December 2016). "Eastleigh confirm another signing from Barnet". Daily Echo. Retrieved 14 May 2017.
  39. ^ Gee, Wendy (19 January 2017). "Eastleigh appoint new captain and add a young winger to the ranks". Southern Daily Echo. Retrieved 14 May 2017.
  40. ^ Gee, Wendy (19 October 2017). "Another Eastleigh blow as skipper is ruled out for two months". Daily Echo. Retrieved 14 May 2018.
  41. ^ "FEATURE | SAM TOGWELL | Eastleigh FC". eastleighfc.com. Retrieved 14 May 2018.
  42. ^ Coney, Steven (11 May 2018). "Spitfires Look To Get Younger As Boss Andy Gets To Work – The Vanarama National League". thenationalleague.org.uk. Retrieved 14 May 2018.
  43. ^ Stevens, Rob (29 June 2018). "National League South: Former professional Sam Togwell joins Slough Town FC from Eastleigh". Slough Observer. Retrieved 4 July 2018.
  44. ^ McElwee, Molly (1 December 2018). "Brothers meet in middle as Slough eye historic third-round spot in FA Cup". The Telegraph. Retrieved 2 May 2019.
  45. ^ "Slough Town 0-1 Gillingham: Darren Oldaker sends Gills through". BBC Sport. 2 December 2018. Retrieved 2 May 2019.
  46. ^ a b Varsalona, Danny (6 May 2019). "Slough Town lift Berks & Bucks Cup with 3-1 win over Reading Academy". Retrieved 6 April 2020.
  47. ^ Darlington, Daniel (19 July 2020). "Dartford progress as sloppy second half kills off Slough Town's promotion hopes". Maidenhead Advertiser. Retrieved 21 July 2020.
  48. ^ a b c d e f g h Sam Togwell at Soccerway
  49. ^ Osborn, Oliver (18 February 2021). "National League Statement | Outcome of Written Resolutions". Vanarama National League. Retrieved 18 February 2021.
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  51. ^ "RAMS play out a draw with Wealdstone | 14th July 2022 | News". Beaconsfield Town FC. 14 July 2022. Retrieved 14 August 2022.
  52. ^ a b c d "Sam Togwell | Player Profile · Aylesbury United Archive". www.aylesburyunitedarchive.com. Retrieved 9 May 2023.
  53. ^ "Ex-Slough Town midfielder takes interim charge at Beaconsfield Town". Football in Berkshire. 24 October 2024.
  54. ^ "Games played by Sam Togwell in 2002/2003". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 1 January 2017.
  55. ^ "Games played by Sam Togwell in 2003/2004". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 1 January 2017.
  56. ^ a b c "Games played by Sam Togwell in 2004/2005". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 1 January 2017.
  57. ^ a b "Games played by Sam Togwell in 2005/2006". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 1 January 2017.
  58. ^ "Games played by Sam Togwell in 2006/2007". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 1 January 2017.
  59. ^ "Games played by Sam Togwell in 2007/2008". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 1 January 2017.
  60. ^ "Games played by Sam Togwell in 2008/2009". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 1 January 2017.
  61. ^ "Games played by Sam Togwell in 2009/2010". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 1 January 2017.
  62. ^ "Games played by Sam Togwell in 2010/2011". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 1 January 2017.
  63. ^ "Games played by Sam Togwell in 2011/2012". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 1 January 2017.
  64. ^ a b "Games played by Sam Togwell in 2013/2014". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 1 January 2017.
  65. ^ "Games played by Sam Togwell in 2012/2013". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 1 January 2017.
  66. ^ "Games played by Sam Togwell in 2014/2015". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 1 January 2017.
  67. ^ "Games played by Sam Togwell in 2015/2016". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 1 January 2017.
  68. ^ a b "Games played by Sam Togwell in 2016/2017". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 1 January 2017.
  69. ^ "Games played by Sam Togwell in 2017/2018". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 1 January 2017.
  70. ^ Paul Fletcher (24 May 2009). "Millwall 2–3 Scunthorpe". BBC Sport. Retrieved 30 April 2023.
  71. ^ Fletcher, Paul (5 April 2009). "Luton 3–2 Scunthorpe (aet)". BBC Sport. Retrieved 16 March 2024.