Sam came up through the junior ranks at Keighley RUFC and progressed to the 1st team between 2007 and 2017; playing on the wing, he scored 43 tries in 127 appearances winning the Gary Farr Trophy with 18 tries in 2007.

He played in the 2012 promotion game at Alnwick, where he sustained a broken leg; many will remember that Sam managed to party the night away in K2 on crutches.

Sam then stepped up to National League rugby with Huddersfield, where he had a successful spell with them. He later took some time away from rugby to return in 2021 to take up the Captaincy of our 3rds, where he inspired many players.

Graeme Sheffield, Chairman – “I arrived at Keighley RUFC to Coach Defence for Jeff Inman in the Autumn of 2006; around two years later, Sam Walker got his chance in the 1st Team as a 19/20-Year-Old, a lad who, like us all at his age “Knew Everything” and life was pretty much “Non-negotiable.”

Sam quickly revealed that he may not have known everything about everything, but boy could he run. He ran like the wind; he didn’t need much of a step with the immense power he had and normally chose not to step because he “Liked running over people” that was the nature of Sam; he has always seemed to prefer doing things the hard way.

Sam developed in the team quickly and soon became an integral part and was always one of the first names on the team sheet, scoring plenty of tries to boot. Sam was quickly growing into someone who it was very difficult not to select even with his penchant for glaring tattoos, and a ponytail.

In the dressing room and bar Sam was always full of beans with the lads and our supporters, never shy but always bullish about performances which may have gone either way, our supporters and the lads thought the world of him because of this brashness and of course he scored a lot of tries.

Sam represented Keighley RUFC 1st XV for around seven seasons. Clearly just the same as all our players in that era Sam enjoyed both his finest and most painful day playing Rugby at Alnwick RUFC on the Northumberland Coast in 2012.

Sam broke his leg during the game, he didn’t know he had done it and continued for a while before eventually having to leave the field in bits. Not deterred Sam stuck with the celebrations all the way back to Keighley and onto the Dance Floor at K2. What a night that was.

Sam moved onto Huddersfield to try his hand at a higher level in and around 2016/17. Everyone was sad to see him go and a little concerned for him regarding travel time & distance. He told me once he enjoyed his comparatively short time there but always missed his mates at Keighley, that was just Sam all over.

Outside of Rugby Sam was an outstanding plumber/gas fitter who did work for several years for all my family. He was a conscientious operator and always put himself out to get the job done.

Sam, you have gone too soon my friend and I hope you have found the peace you always craved.

I know that everyone who knew you will have a story to tell of their experience in your company and that you will still “Know Everything” and “Be running over not around everyone you meet”

Keep running mate."

Allan Hobson-Sheriff, Head Coach of the 3rds – “When Sam returned to Keighley to play rugby a couple of seasons ago, he asked me if it would be ok to play for the thirds.

Even though his skill set made him more than capable of playing for teams that were better than ours, he wanted to play for the thirds.

He was humble with the team, as a player and always led by example. This earned Sam the Captaincy of the thirds for the season. With his experience and buoyancy, he always led the rest of the lads on the field and off. He would help the players improve their skills and make it enjoyable for us all.

Sam will be sadly missed by all of his brothers in arms of the third team. RIP, Sam.”

We would like to remind our players, members and supporters that talking helps; management, coaches, and players are there for you; just pick up the phone. “It’s Good to Talk”

Our club partner, #ItsWorthTalkingAbout, is available to talk to anyone who needs help and support.
https://itsworthtalkingabout.org