Sam Parkin started his career at Chelsea and, amongst his many clubs, was best-known for his time at Swindon Town. He played Exeter City during 2013/14 at the end of his professional career.

Sam joined Chelsea as a trainee in 1997 and, after turning professional, had spells on loan with Millwall, Wycombe, Oldham and Northampton without ever making the first-team at Stamford Bridge. He then moved to Swindon Town in August 2000 where, in three seasons, he scored over seventy league and cup goals. Such form attracted the attention of other clubs and, in June 2005, Sam moved to Ipswich Town in a £550,000 deal. Suffering a number of injuries he was on the move to Luton Town the following summer for £340,000 although, having made just ten appearances, his luck didn’t change when he was ruled out for most of the 2006/07 season. With Luton spiralling down the leagues Sam played relatively few games during his three years at Kenilworth Road and, following a period on loan with Leyton Orient, he embarked on a nomadic stage of his career that saw him playing for Walsall, St Johnstone, Queen of the South (loan) and St Mirren.

Leaving St Mirren after scoring just twice in the league, Sam signed for Exeter City in July 2013 and scored on his debut against Bristol Rovers on 3 August 2013. Thereafter he was only to score twice - against Dagenham & Redbridge in September and at Scunthorpe in November - and started just 17 league games in City’s colours. Sam’s last game was against Accrington on 29 March 2014 prior to his release at the end of the season.

Sam retired from playing shortly afterwards and later worked as a pundit with BBC Wiltshire and Chelsea TV as well as appearing in podcasts.