Hereford historian Ron Parrott remembers Sam Oji.
After returning home from the disappointment of the Fylde result, it immediately faded into insignificance when I heard the most tragic news that former Bull Sam Oji had passed away at the ridiculously young age of 35. The cause of death has not been revealed yet but there's no doubt that it struck quite suddenly.
At 6'1" Sam was an ideal central defender and when he arrived at Edgar Street in the summer of 2008, we all had high hopes that he would be with the club for a few seasons. Sadly, it wasn't to be and after playing just five games for us, he suffered a serious knee injury and never played for the club again."
The following is Ron's pen-pic for Sam, which details his career in full:-
Born Westminster 9th October 1985, died 28th August 2021
A 6’1”centre-back, Sam started his career as a youth player with Arsenal but signed a full-time contract with Birmingham City in the summer of 2004. He spent four seasons at St Andrews but only ever played one game for the first team, in February 2006 against Reading in the FA Cup. However, Sam gained experience by spending spells on loan with Doncaster Rovers, where he made his Football League debut, Bristol Rovers, Southend United on trial, and Leyton Orient after he was released by the Blues.
Sam arrived at Edgar Street in August 2008 but sadly, after playing just five times, he suffered a bad knee injury that kept him out for four months. Unfortunately, he never managed to regain his place and was released by the club in February 2009. Sam then decided to try his luck abroad and a month later signed for Swedish 2nd Division side Ljungskile SK after a successful trial. However, he only played six games for them and left in the June. In August 2010, Sam had trials with Tranmere Rovers, Turkish Super League side Diyarbakirspor then he returned to Leyton Orient, for another trial, where he sadly suffered a serious leg injury whilst playing for their Reserves. This injury, followed by knee damage kept him out of football for fully two years.
Sam then made his comeback with Conference premier side Tamworth in December 2011 and over two seasons, he played 39 times for them and scored two goals. In August 2013, Sam moved to Ireland and signed for Limerick where in two seasons, he made 34 appearances. In the summer of 2015, Sam remained in Ireland and linked up with Galway United, scoring twice in 23 appearances before returning to England and signing for Worcester City in the National League North in August 2016. After 25 games for them, Sam signed for Hednesford Town in the summer of 2017 but a year later, he joined Highgate United in the Midland Premier League and in the summer of 2021, he became their assistant-manager. A few months later, Sam was suddenly struck down by illness and sadly passed away on Saturday 28th August 2021.