Chatham Town ace Sam Sene-Richardson lands move to Premier League club

Sam Sene-Richardson says Chatham Town will “always have a very special place” in his heart after taking the step up to the Premier League with Brentford.

The 19-year-old midfielder has completed a permanent move to the Bees after a sensational campaign for the Chats, where he scored 11 goals and provided 27 assists last season to earn a host of individual honours.

Sene-Richardson has signed a two-year contract with Brentford, with the Premier League outfit holding the option of a further year, and will link up with their B team as he looks to continue his development towards the first team.

His move caps a remarkable rise through Chatham’s pathway after joining the club’s academy as a 16-year-old.

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Proud

Reflecting on his journey in a farewell video on the club’s social media channels, Sene-Richardson thanked everyone connected with Chatham after spending three years at the club.

“To the Chatham Town supporters, I want to say thank you,” he said. “When I first joined the club at 16, I joined the academy set-up, hoping to learn, improve and take every opportunity to come my way.

“Looking back at it, it’s something I’m really proud of.

“My journey is a perfect example of the pathway this club has created, from academy football into men’s football and into the first team.

“Coming into a men’ environment at that age was obviously very daunting for me. I was still young and learning, but from the very first minute here, you guys backed me.

“I’ll never forget my home debut and ‘SSR is one of our own’ being sung straight away. That was an incredible feeling and something that will definitely stay with me forever.

“It wasn’t just the support on the pitch, it was the relationships made off the pitch. The conversations, the social media comments, the encouragement is what meant most to me.

“That personal connection made Chatham feel like a second home to me.”

Special

Sene-Richardson says he will leave Chatham with memories to last a lifetime after making his senior debut in 2023.

“There are so many memories I’ll take with me,” he said. “My assist in the Velocity Cup final and seeing the fans run onto the pitch and celebrate with us.

“My hat-trick in the FA Youth Cup. My goal against Hashtag and celebrating in front of the packed-out stadium.

“Something I’ll always cherish after every game, running over to my grandad and shaking his hand. Moments like that are everything.”

“There have been big wins and certainly some tough moments, but there have been lessons and relationships made that will carry me through the rest of my career.

“So to the supporters, the staff, my team-mates, my family and everyone connected to the club, thank you.

“Thank you for believing in me. Thank you for backing me and thank you for making a young lad from the academy feel like one of your own.

“This club will always have a very special place in my heart. Once a Chat, always a Chat.”

Main goal

Sene-Richardson is now looking forward to the next stage of his career after joining Brentford’s B team.

“I’m buzzing and I can’t wait to get started,” he told the academy side.

“I came here for a presentation and the facilities are a joke, they’re unbelievable. It can really help me.

“The people are lovely, that is the most important thing, off the pitch, that will help you perform.

“Playing men’s football has helped in terms of the physical side. I learned the dark arts of the game more.

“It was the best thing to happen; my mentality switched, and the pro game now is my goal.

“I want to get as many goal contributions as I can for Brentford B and affect games; that is my main goal.

“I want to play in the Prem for Brentford’s first team.”

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