Sam Hatton is yet another member of a successful youth system that produced players for Boro’ during the mid-2000s at a healthy enough rate. Given a squad number at the start of the 2005-6 season after breaking through the season before, he didn’t actually see any first team action that term. He was, however, retained going into the 2006-7 campaign; fuelling hopes he’d continue his development here. But an increasing amount of loan spells suggested it’d be unlikely the midfielder would become a permanent fixture in the side. Hatton was, therefore, allowed to move on in 2007 by Mark Stimson. Hatton moved to South London, first signing for AFC Wimbledon.

Sam Hatton: After Boro’

Life after Boro’ was kind to the midfielder; Hatton playing his part in the Dons’ promotion to the Football League in 2011. For the south London club, he made almost 200 appearances – before moving onto pastures new at Grimsby Town in 2012. After two seasons with the Mariners, however, the player returned to the non-league circuit; turning out for several clubs over the course of his career in the mid- and late-2010s. Some of those clubs were even local to us – such as Bishop’s Stortford and Hemel Hempstead Town.

In more recent years, Hatton seemed to move around on a regular basis until a spell at Enfield Town brought a more settled period. In late 2022, the player signed for Welwyn Garden City; linking back up with Marc Weatherstone, who had managed Hatton at Enfield Town.