betting.co.uk North West Counties Player of the Month - Sam Heathcote

West Didsbury & Chorlton are flying high in the North West Counties Division One South - thanks in no small part to captain Sam Heathcote.

Photo by Simon Cook

Leading from the back

The 24-year-old is the inaugural player of the month this season, having led his side through an unbeaten opening month in the league and racking up ten goals in all competitions.

What makes his achievement even more impressive is that he’s a centre back, yet is already in double figures for the season.

Heathcote’s side are second only to New Mills, who lead the way with six wins from seven games.

“I’ve always fancied myself to chip in a few to help the team out, but not in these numbers! I’m happy because it’s helped the team out and we’re in a good position.

“This is 100% my best start to a season. I’ve played up front before, but to be playing every game at centre back and score ten goals, I can’t really believe it,” he said.

High standards

From the outside, West’s start looks very impressive - but the demanding Heathcote admits he and his teammates have been unhappy with some performances.

The club have only tasted defeat once so far, bowing out of the FA Cup in the extra preliminary round to higher-ranked Avro.

They are also the only team to take points from early leaders New Mills, holding them to a 2-2 draw, with Heathcote’s late leveller rescuing a point.

The club are targeting promotion back to Step 5 having been relegated in 2018/19, the last season not affected by the pandemic.

“We’re a very ambitious group, both as a team and the manager. We’ve got a great set of lads. It’s a really special club that deserves to be higher than it is. Hopefully as a group we can achieve that. We’re winning games, but the lads are going mental at each other and we’re not happy with some performances. It shows we’re setting standards for each other. We won’t settle for second or being in the playoffs. We want to win the league,” he said.

Photo by Simon Cook

Career-saving move

Heathcote credits boss Chris Rowley for turning his career around after being installed as captain immediately after joining the club in December 2019.

Before joining the club, he had short spells with Trafford, Ramsbottom United,  Wythenshawe Town and Widnes after making his debut at Altrincham as an 18-year-old.

He admits he was falling out of love with the game and his performances reflected that.

Being made skipper came as a surprise to him, but it’s an opportunity he’s snatched with both hands.

“Before I came here, I wasn’t enjoying football and it seemed more like a chore. Taking the drop down to this level has really helped me grow up as both a person and a player.

I jumped at the chance to join because I wanted to get that enjoyment back from football. I want to be buzzing on a Saturday morning, like I am now. Me and some of the other lads meet for breakfast and get to games two hours early.

“The maturity I’ve gained from playing at this level has really helped me. I was shocked, but credit to the gaffer for putting me in as the captain at such a young age - it’s made me learn a lot and want to win every game. At the time, I really needed Chris to take a chance on me as captain because otherwise I might have ended up falling out of the game. “I probably didn’t have that desire or fire in my belly before. Now I want to be a role model to the younger lads, be an all round leader and set an example with my performances on the pitch,” he said.

Defined role

Heathcote followed in his father’s footsteps by starting his career at Altrincham. Graham is a Moss Lane institution having served as a player, manager, coach and club secretary in a 40-year love affair with the club.

Sam trained as a centre back as a youngster, but made his debut off the bench as a winger given then boss Lee Sinnott’s instruction.

The unusual tactic worked as Heathcote scored on his first appearance despite only coming on with four minutes to play.

Many of his former clubs have used him as a striker, but the PE teacher admits past frustration at being seen as Mr Versatile and wanted to nail down a spot in his favoured position in the back line.

“I’ve had spells at both positions, at both West and my older clubs. Personally it’s not done me any good, so I spoke with the gaffer about it before the season. If I’m going to get any consistency in my performances, I need to be playing in the same position every week. It’s really helped that the gaffer told me I’m playing centre back every week. I’ll play wherever he says, so hopefully I’m repaying him now, with goals, performances and helping the other lads out on the team.

“I’ve always thought centre back  was my best position. Managers see that I’ve scored goals so they put me up front. To have a solidified position is what I want going forwards - I want to be known as Sam Heathcote the centre back, not someone who can slot anywhere in the team,” he said.

Future ambitions

Heathcote is clearly looking to progress, and reveals he wants to make his way back up the leagues eventually. 

However, it’s clear he’s committed to leading West to success in this division.

“My short term ambitions are to win this league. I’m desperate for the club to win the league and progress. Hopefully learning these qualities while at West Didsbury will help me move back up in the future.“I’ve got a lot of games under my belt now. My confidence in my ability now stretches past the NWC, I believe I can step up higher after this season if there's an opportunity.

“There’s no other option for the club than to get promoted this season. It’s a club with amazing people who are generous and kind. With everyone together, it’s very possible,” he said.