NEW SIGNING | Stones sign Habergham

Wealdstone are pleased to announce the signing of Sam Habergham. The 30 year-old left-sided defender was most recently playing in Australia for Peninsula Power, but has vast National League experience to his name, with over 200 appearances at this level.

The defender was heavily involved Lincoln City’s triumphant 2016-17 season which saw them win the National League and reach the FA Cup quarter-final.

A delighted manager Stuart Maynard said “We're over the moon to get Sam on board as it's a vital piece to the jigsaw that we're missing.

"He's got that experience that we lack as a young group, and having won this division and the division above, he knows what it takes and will be huge for the younger players in the group."

Maynard was equally full of praise when describing the defender's attributes, "Sam's got real quality in his pass selection and his angles as a defender are brilliant.

"He's left footed so now with Sam, Lewis Kinsella and Jaydn Mundle-Smith, we have a very strong left side. He can play left sided centre-back, left-back or left wing-back, so he will replace the void left by the departure of Jerome Okimo.

"With Sam, Jack Cook and then a potential loan, we feel we will have a very strong back three, which was paramount in our success last season.

"He will add that voice and leadership that we've probably lacked for the past two seasons, so he's someone we're delighted to secure and can't wait to see him play."

Habergham started his career in the Norwich City academy but was released in 2011 and made his move into senior football where he spent one season at then-Conference side Tamworth.

Braintree Town followed next, where he made 190 appearances across four seasons, and was a key part of the Braintree side that lost to Grimsby in the 2015-16 playoffs under Danny Cowley.

The defender’s form also earned him two England C caps that year. He then moved with Cowley to Lincoln City in Summer 2016.

Habergham played every game in Lincoln’s memorable FA Cup run in the same season, which included wins over Ipswich Town, Brighton and Hove Albion and then-Premier League side Burnley at Turf Moor before losing to eventual winners Arsenal in the quarter-final.

The defender was also a key part of the Imps side that won the 2017/18 EFL Trophy at Wembley Stadium the following year, playing 7 games, including the final on the hallowed turf.

After leaving Lincoln in 2019 following a serious knee injury, Habergham joined League Two side Grimsby Town in January 2021, and made 13 appearances before leaving in the summer.

After a brief spell in Australia from February 2022, he returned home this summer, and adds to a Stones back line including Jack Cook and latest signing Lewis Kinsella.

Words by Will Bewsey Photo from GTFC