Sam Byram: It feels like a fairytale | OneFootball

“How to reflect?” Sam Byram smiled as he sat down to think back on his time with his boyhood club. “It has been a roller coaster to be honest, I think from being a kid trying to push my way into the first team and make it as a footballer.

“Having to leave [in 2016] was obviously a really sad time to move away from the club I had grown up at. Then, having the chance to come back, I never thought it was possible. To end the last three years, how it has gone with promotion, staying up in the Premier League and being able to play and train with some really amazing people, I think it has been a hell of a journey and one that I am incredibly proud of and happy to have been a part of.”

Sam broke into the Leeds United first team after impressing in pre-season under boss Neil Warnock ahead of the 2012/13 campaign and took to the professional game with ease, debuting in a League Cup victory over Shrewsbury Town before starring against Wolverhampton Wanderers on the Championship curtain raiser.

The versatile full-back, often marauding up and down the flank as he burst onto the scene, continued to excel, netting a sublime chip in a cup triumph over Oxford United to collect the Goal of the Season accolade. That award was held aloft alongside the Player of the Year title by Byram at the end of that maiden foray into senior football where he had featured 53 times in all competitions for United.

“I think as far as sort of a first season goes, I think you couldn’t ask for any better,” the 32-year-old reminisced. “Like I say, to have been given a chance off the back of being relatively unknown, I think was a surprise to me and my family. Then, to go on and play over 50 games that season and manage to pick up some awards as well, it was just beyond anything I could have imagined!”

After three-and-a-half successful years with the Whites, Byram made the switch to top-flight side West Ham United before spells with Nottingham Forest and Norwich City. During his time at Carrow Road, Sam worked under then-Canaries boss Daniel Farke who, fast forward to 2023, welcomed him back to Elland Road as Leeds plotted a return to the Premier League.

Speaking openly about moving to the Hammers in 2016, the defender said: “It was difficult. I think for everyone involved in the club, it was obviously a really tough time. Looking back as a young kid, I had never imagined leaving or never wanted to leave. I think the circumstances around it and the fact that I had a chance to go and play in the Premier League, it was something at that time I couldn’t say no to.

“I wouldn’t say I regretted it because I met my wife down in London and obviously had an unbelievable experience living in the capital. But, if I had foreseen the sort of the trajectory that Leeds would have gone on, it would have made me question the decision at the time.

“I never expected that chance to come back. Obviously, huge credit and thanks to the manager and his staff for giving me that opportunity. Being able to spend the last three seasons here, they have been probably the best and the happiest part of football that I have had in my career.”

Since returning in the summer of 2023, Byram would go on to play a crucial role on and off the pitch, scoring three goals to help guide the team to promotion and going on to feature in the Premier League last campaign, notably cheered on by a standing ovation against Brighton & Hove Albion towards the end of the term. His pass incidentally played a part in Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s dramatic winner over the Seagulls.

As the famous old song says, Leeds United is renowned for its Ups and Downs. That first term back ended in Play-Off heartache at Wembley. The following year, the title was secure. Then, with top-flight status retained on their return to the big time, Sam is thrilled all the hard work behind the scenes paid off.

“I like to think that I came in with optimism and real eagerness. You know, for me it was a huge chance to sign a deal back at Leeds and I like to think that every day in training, every day that I have come into the building, I have brought a positiveness and a happy-go-lucky spirit, just wanting to train and do my best for the club.

“I think that probably rubs off on the group and I hope it has. The last three years, like I say, I think we have built a real strong foundation for players coming in. They can see what it means to be at Leeds and what you need to do, not just to play for Leeds but to be a good person around the building.

“I think obviously growing up around it, it is instilled in me and others that have come through the Academy. I think it takes a lot to play for Leeds. It takes a lot of character, a lot of courage and passion. They are all things that hopefully from me being around the place and trying to sort of educate people on the club, that is something that the fans can see on the pitch and everyone who steps on and puts a shirt on.”

Sam beams with pride as he takes a moment to think of the memories the last few years have brought on what was a second spell a world apart from his first stint with a club he has become synonymous with.

“I think it does feel a bit of a fairytale for me, especially with the promotion and the parade that we had,” he smiles. “I have got so many photos, videos and friends that hopefully I have made for life here. To be part of Leeds United in the Premier League was always a dream of mine.”

Whether languishing in the bottom half of the second-tier previously or nearing the 50-point mark in Europe’s elite division last time around, one thing has been a constant throughout Byram’s time with the club. Roaring the team on both at home and up and down the country, United’s supporters are known and revered around the world. Speaking directly to the fans to finish, Sam simply asks for more of the same.

“Probably just to keep doing what you are doing! I have always thought that it is the best fanbase and the best club in the world. Anyone who comes here can really feel the impact that the fans make. I think going forward, you know, I can just see positive things. The squad is building, a great ownership and a great platform to really, really progress. It is nothing but upwards from here.”

Everyone at Leeds United wishes Sam the very best in the next chapter of his career.