Popular former Sheffield Wednesday midfielder becomes 'highest-profile signing' in non-league club's history
Sam Hutchinson remains a fan favourite at Sheffield Wednesday
Popular former Sheffield Wednesday midfielder Sam Hutchinson has signed for a non-league club, who say he is their ‘highest-profile signing’ in their history.
The 36-year-old, who made 200 appearances for The Owls across two spells and was a favourite for his fully-committed performances, has penned a two-year deal at National League South side Farnham Town.
Such is Hutchinson’s love for Wednesday, he said he would have played for free last season during the club’s financial struggles. He did make a Hillsborough comeback earlier this summer, playing in a game for charity.
His new club Farnham has won three successive promotions and they are delighted to have signed ‘Hutch’, who was a free agent after leaving League One AFC Wimbledon at the end of last season.
“It’s great to welcome a player of Sam’s experience and calibre to our squad,” Farnham manager Paul Johnson said. “As someone with over 300 appearances in the pro game, he’s seen and experienced everything there is to see in football, and will be able to use those experiences to help the rest of the group through what will be an exciting but challenging season at this level.
“He’s trained with the group recently and been with us at some recent friendlies, so he’s already begun to establish those relationships with his teammates and people around the club. As an experienced leader, Sam will raise the standards of the group and be an important voice in the dressing room. I look forward to working with him this season.”
Chairman, Harry Hugo, added “Sam is probably the highest-profile signing in the club’s history. That’s an incredibly exciting thing to think about. Having spent the best part of the last two decades around the pro game in the Premier League and Football League, it’s clear that from speaking to Sam he wanted a fresh challenge in football at this stage of his career, and we’re delighted that he’s chosen to take that next step with us. He had offers to stay in the Football League, including some from his former clubs, but he’s chosen Farnham Town which says a lot about where we’re at as a club now.
“Able to play in midfield or in defence, Sam offers us valuable options, experience and leadership in a playing group that’s going to need that this season as we tackle the National League South for the first time ever. We’re all looking forward to working with Sam over the next two years as a key part of this next chapter of our story.”