Morris was born on Merseyside in 1907 and aged 21 was ready to move into football’s big leagues. He formally completed a move to Sunderland on the 16th of November 1928, a day after news of the deal had been outlined in the Liverpool Echo:
> _Sam Morris, right-half of Prescot Cables, has been transferred to Sunderland at a fairly substantial transfer fee. Several clubs have been watching this youth of promise, and by securing him Sunderland should have a valuable acquisition._
> _About twenty-one years of age, 5ft. 9in., Morris is a speedy player, rather slimly built, but of a type which appeals to the football-loving fans in any district – an unassuming young fellow, and particularly clean in his methods. A native of Prescot, he has done good work for the Prescot club._
> _Captain Wood, the Cables secretary, carried out the negotiation for the transfer, and in view of Cables’ Lancs. Junior Cup match at Belle Vue, on Saturday against Manchester Central, the local club will feel the loss of their main, who goes to Sunderland straight away._
Manager Johnny Cochrane was in his first season at Roker Park and slowly starting to mould his squad. He first wanted Morris to be an understudy to Scotland international Billy Clunas, and following a famous New Years Day debut in which Arsenal were trounced 5-1 the new arrival always did himself justice, building on what the Sunderland Echo and Shipping Gazette called the “promising style” in which he performed during that first showing. In early 1929-30 he had a run of five consecutive outings and in the following campaign he became a first-choice pick as the Lads finished 11th in Division One.
Despite the arrival of Charlie Thompson, bought over the summer from Glasgow Pollok, Morris began 1931-32 still in the staring XI and only dropped out of the picture when a reshuffle saw forward Joe Devine being asked to play a deeper role that could accommodate the great Alex Hastings moving to right-half. During some of the changes that pre-empted this Morris was shifted to the left-hand side of the pitch, and that was where he was positioned when he made his final Sunderland appearance at Everton in early 1932.
Although not selected after that trip the club did look like they wanted to keep hold of their man – it’s just that he wasn’t quite as keen on the idea as they were. Having declined the offer of a fresh contract Morris went without pay for a period whilst Sunderland retained his registration, until in September when the Echo’s Argus revealed that a journalistic contact of his from Liverpool had informed him that representatives of a London club were in talks over a transfer. Sure enough, it was soon confirmed that Morris had agreed to join second division Charlton Athletic following discussions in neutral Doncaster, although Sunderland were keen to make it clear that the purchase of Cyril Beach from them days before had been an entirely separate arrangement.
Prior to his departure Morris had seen his request to be removed from the retained list denied by the Sunderland directors, making this a rather regretful end to his Wearside stay. The Echo, which during that first run in the team during September/October 1929 felt he had ‘distinguished himself with aggressive tactics and triangular movement’ were not surprised at how the situation had panned out however, claiming upon his sale that whilst ‘there is no questioning the ability of this wing half-back, for nearly two seasons he has looked like a disappointed player. If he is happy at Charlton, he ought to walk into the team and retain his place.’
Whether a change of scenery was all that Morris needed is unclear. The Addicks were relegated during his year in the capital, and by the start of World War II he had drifted out of the professional game entirely. By the time he died in the early 1990s he had settled in Warwickshire.
**Samuel Walker Morris**16 April 1907 to 10 August 1991
Total number of SAFC appearances: 65