Interview with Sam Ricketts, Manager of Shrewsbury Town FC
Sam is manager of League One football club, Shrewsbury Town. Although the current season is under lockdown, and may not be completed, Sam is one of the only managers in the world to deny Liverpool, the current European and World Club Champions and, until the current crisis, runaway leaders of the Premier League, a win when his team held Liverpool to a 2-2 draw in the fourth round of the FA Cup, before losing 1-0 in the replay.
Due to other commitments, Liverpool’s Manager, Jurgen Klopp, wasn’t in charge for the replay, so Sam is probably the only manager Klopp has played this season and failed to beat…other than Diego Simeone of Atlético Madrid.
Sam is also one of a small group of players to have played in all four divisions of professional football. He played over 100 games for Swansea City before playing Premier League football for both Hull City and Bolton Wanderers. He left Bolton in 2013 and captained Wolverhampton Wanderers to the League One title with a record points total. Sam also played for Wales at international level, earning 52 caps.
Sam was born in Aylesbury and his family is highly involved in equestrianism. His father is the 1978 world show-jumping champion, Derek Ricketts, later performance manager of the UK show-jumping team from 2002 to 2010. Sam’s uncle is the former National Hunt champion jockey, John Francome. As a teenager, Sam himself was a keen rider until prioritising football. Sam began his career at Oxford United, making his first team debut on 8 October 2000 in a 2–1 Second Division defeat at rivals Swindon Town.
More in Leisure

Experience ‘Life Below Stairs’ at Blenheim Palace: all-new visitor experience unveiled
From 29th March, step into history as Blenheim Palace unveils ‘Life Below Stairs’ – a groundbreaking new visitor experience that brings the hidden world of Victorian service to life like never before. The experience is set within some of the original working kitchens, open to visitors for the very first time.

Christmas and 2026 group bookings announced at Blenheim Palace with trade pricing...
Blenheim Palace is delighted to announce the highly-anticipated theme of Christmas at Blenheim for 2025 – Palace of Oz where groups can enjoy an enchanting festive experience with exclusive trade pricing.

The Story Museum: Bringing Stories to Life in Magical Ways
The Story Museum is no ordinary museum. Nestled in the heart of Oxford, this unique, immersive space is dedicated to celebrating the power of storytelling in all its forms. Whether through interactive exhibitions, live performances, or creative workshops, The Story Museum is on a mission to enrich lives—especially young lives—through the magic of stories.
From this author

B4 Members enjoy the company of a living legend of the...
In December at Keble College, Peter Bennett-Jones, representing the Lord-Lieutenant as one of her Deputy Lieutenants, officially endorsed Raise’24. As an established television and film producer and agent, we were delighted to recently announce that Peter has agreed to become our Patron.

Seven companies relocating to The Oxford Trust’s new Oxford Centre for...
Seven science and tech start-ups and SMEs are to move from The Oxford Trust’s current Oxford Centre for Innovation to its new location at Blue Boar Court, Alfred Street, in Oxford’s city centre.

The Numbers Don’t Lie
B4 Ecosystems are an opportunity for B4 Members to share challenges, be inspired and learn from experts in their field. They began with our Business Development Ecosystem back in March 2023, which has been lead from day one by the always impressive Caroline O’Connor of Fourth Born. Caroline has been leading from the front as our other Ecosystems learn from her impressive example. Article by B4’s Richard Rosser