Sam Stockley is an experienced full-back who joined the Blues in the summer of 2006 after a long association with Colchester United.

The lively character began his career at Barnet where he was a regular for five seasons before spending a year at Oxford.

He moved onto Layer Road where he became captain in a four-year spell, which ended after a brief period on loan at Blackpool towards the end of the 2005/06 season.

Sam became a regular fixture in Paul Lambert's side in his first season, playing as a sweeper or centre back on many occasions, and he netted his first goal for the club in the 3-3 draw at Peterborough in April.

However, Sam was in and out of the side during the 2007/08 season due to the fine form of Russell Martin and Craig Woodman, but writes an amusing programme column in his spare time.