TRIBUTES have poured in for popular striker turned firefighter Sammy Winston who died this week at the age of 44.
Islington-born Winston started his career in the Tottenham Hotspur academy and helped the club reach the FA Youth Cup final before joining Norwich City as a trainee.
He signed for Leyton Orient in the summer of 1996 and went on to make 13 appearances for the Third Division side.
After not featuring for the first team in his second season at Brisbane Road, the forward moved to Conference side Yeovil Town in early 1998 where he bagged six goals in six games.
Winston went on to play for a string of Non- League teams, including Sutton United, Kingstonian, Slough Town, Chesham United and Boreham Wood, before prematurely hanging up his boots in 2009 at the age of just 30 following a brief spell at Enfield Town. He then went on to become a firefighter.
A number of tributes have appeared on social media this week following the tragic news of his passing.
Yeovil Town tweeted: “All at #YTFC are deeply saddened to hear of the passing of former player Sammy Winston. Sammy joined the Glovers in 1997 from Leyton Orient. We send our condolences to his loved ones.”
Former teammate Troy Townsend commented: “I’ll never forget that unbelievable run, I’ll never forget our no. 9. There’s only one Sammy Winston one of the finest forwards I ever had the pleasure of working with.”
And Boreham Wood added: “Boreham Wood FC is deeply saddened to learn the news of the passing of former player Sammy Winston, aged 44
“Everyone at Club sends their deepest condolences to Sammy’s family and friends at this sad time.”
