Sam Heathcote
 Heathcote playing for Macclesfield in 2025 | |||
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Date of birth | 24 December 1997 | ||
| Place of birth | Altrincham, England | ||
| Height | 1.88 m (6 ft 2 in) | ||
| Position | Defender | ||
| Team information | |||
Current team | Macclesfield | ||
| Number | 13 | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 2015–2016 | Altrincham | 13 | (1) |
| 2016–2019 | Crewe Alexandra | ||
| 2019-2022 | West Didsbury & Chorlton | 83 | (40) |
| 2022-2023 | Runcorn Linnets | ||
| 2023– | Macclesfield | ||
| * Club domestic league appearances and goals as of 12 January 2026 (UTC) | |||
Sam Heathcote (born 24 December 1997) is an English semi-professional footballer who plays as a defender for National League North club Macclesfield. Alongside his football career, he works as a physical education teacher.
Football career
[edit]In December 2021, Heathcote was named Division One North Player of the Month for his performances while playing for West Didsbury & Chorlton. He received the award in January 2022.[1]
He later joined Macclesfield, becoming part of the club's rebuilding project following its re-formation in 2020 after the demise of Macclesfield Town.
In January 2026, Heathcote played a key role in Macclesfield's historic 2–1 victory over Crystal Palace in the third round of the FA Cup, with Macclesfield becoming the first non-league side to eliminate the defending holders since 1909.[2][3]
In February 2026, during Macclesfield's 4th round FA Cup game against Brentford FC, he scored an own goal in the 70th minute, therefore knocking the club out on a 1-0 loss.
Education career
[edit]Heathcote has combined non-league football with full-time employment in education, working as a physical education teacher at Stamford Park Primary School in Altrincham while playing at semi-professional level.[4]
Following the January 2026 match, Heathcote spoke about returning to his teaching duties while continuing to play for the club.[5][4]
References
[edit]- ↑ "Sam Heathcote Receives his December 2021 Player of the Month Award for Division One North". North West Counties Football League. 25 January 2022.
- ↑ "Macclesfield shock Crystal Palace in FA Cup history-maker". Manchester Evening News.
- ↑ "Sam sets the tone for pupil Dawson". The Non-League Football Paper.
- 1 2 Wilkinson, Damon; Parker, Ian (11 January 2026). "Back for school for Macclesfield FA Cup hero Sam Heathcote". Manchester Evening News. Retrieved 12 January 2026.
- ↑ "Macclesfield's Sam Heathcote returning to PE teacher job after helping stun FA Cup holders Crystal Palace". ESPN.
External links
[edit]- Sam Heathcote at Soccerway
- 1997 births
- Living people
- English men's footballers
- Footballers from Altrincham
- Men's association football defenders
- National League (English football) players
- Northern Premier League players
- Altrincham F.C. players
- West Didsbury & Chorlton A.F.C. players
- Crewe Alexandra F.C. players
- Macclesfield F.C. players
- 21st-century English sportsmen