One of three initial signings by manager Graham Westley in summer 2014, goalkeeper Sam Beasant came to the Lamex from former arch rivals Woking. The stopper came in to take the place of the departing Steve Arnold. And we should just get it out of the way to start with – yes, his dad is the famous goalkeeper; winning an FA Cup winners’ medal with Wimbledon in 1988. Sam pressed his claim for the number one jersey early on in the 2014-5 season, but veteran Chris Day soon displaced him.
He couldn’t regain his place; eventually leaving the club at the end of his deal in summer 2015 and moving onto Cambridge United.
Sam Beasant: Before Boro’
After starting his career at Chelsea, Beasant moved onto Wycombe Wanderers. But he couldn’t make a breakthrough. He found himself turning out for Amersham Town, before moving to Cyprus and Olympiakos Nicosia while still in his teen years. Glenn Hoddle’s Academy, where his father was coaching, was the next port of call in 2009, before spells at Maidenhead (loan) and Woking.