The path through Boro’s youth ranks as a centre back is a well-trodden one. And Sam Dreyer seemed to be the next to follow it; signing his first professional contract with us towards the end of the 2020-1 campaign. When we say his was a well-trodden path, it refers to lads like Ben Wilmot. You can’t fail to recall how Wilmot went from youth team to Premier Division in a short space of time. Unfortunately, it didn’t work out the same way for Dreyer. He would be released by the club in summer 2022; given virtually no chance to prove his worth in the senior ranks.

Academy boss Robbie O’Keefe said: “Sam… followed a very similiar path to Ben Wilmot in that he was a central midfielder that we quickly saw had better attributes as a centre half. He’s been a centre half since Under 14s, and has made the transition there really well. Captain of the Scholars this season, he has led by example. He has been outstanding in Under 23 games, trained with the First Team and made some really good impressions.”

The fact that he was one of three to sign pro deals in April 2021 is a big step in the right direction. The centre-half joined Stevenage as part of our U14 squad and continued from there. At the time the defender turned pro, he was skippering our Scholars side. And he’d impressed at the heart of the defence for our U23s too. The next stop seemed like it’d be the first team. He even popped out on loan during the 2021-2 campaign to gain first team experience at Hendon. Alas, there’d be no new deal on the table upon returning to the club.

Sam Dreyer: After Boro’

With no room at the Boro’ inn, Dreyer moved on in summer 2022. But his services were still in demand. He signed for Bedford Town to continue his development. More was to follow in January 2023; the defender snapped up to play for Peterborough United U21s; returning to the Eagles for the rest of the 2022-3 campaign on loan.