Letchworth GC Eagles forward Sam Gittings, son of Stevenage legend Martin, has smashed in 13 goals in just nine games

For a footballer who has only just been moved into the centre forward position, Sam Gittings has not done too badly for himself this season.

His team, Letchworth Garden City Eagles, have played nine games in total in all competitions, and the 27-year-old has scored in every single match.

He has notched up a sensational 13 goals in a season that began with four against Wormley Rovers in the opening league match and continued through to Saturday when an extra-time strike helped to dump Bovingdon out of the Aubrey Cup.

Gittings, who started off his career at Langford and is the son of Stevenage FC record goalscorer Martin, said: “This season with Carl Williams taking over as joint manager with Jason Valentine, I’ve gone up front. Last season Carl was up front, but he’s dropped back now.

“It’s been a good year, we’ve got a good squad. The training is great, and even in Carl’s team talks he gets his point across so you know what he wants from you.

“He brings a lot of experience, and on the pitch he’s always on my back. Where he used to be a striker, he knows what it takes and that has helped me.

“It’s been a great start. Everything I’m hitting is going in.

“Even on Saturday I scored in normal time but it was offside, so when it went into extra-time I thought ‘I’ve got 30 minutes to score again’ and I did.”

Despite all of his success, Gittings is just pleased to be playing football as three years ago the striker snapped his cruciate – just as his dad had done just under 20 years ago.

On that occasion Martin, who had already notched 209 nine goals for Stevenage before his move to Hitchin, was injured in front of a watching Sam at Top Field.

It was an injury that all but ended his career.

Sam spent the best part of two years on the sidelines, but is now back with a bang.

“I wanted to play up front, but I had that injury. I was out for a couple of years, and I didn’t think I’d play again,” he said.

“When you get that injury, it’s different. People have given up. It ended my dad’s career, he had to have knee reconstruction.

“I remember the game he did it, I was a mascot. He did it just in front of where we were standing.”

Martin did play again, and at one point partnered his son at Langford for three matches before retiring, and since then Sam has made the move to Letchworth.

“At one point after my injury I was debating whether I’d come back. I went to training, but my knee went again a little.

“I thought I’d pack it in, but it swelled down a couple of weeks later and it’s been good since.”

Good, just like Letchworth’s season so far with the Eagles third in the Premier Division league table.

“The aim is just to get as high as we can,” says Gittings. “We’re in the cups, too, so there’s lots to aim for.”

If he continues scoring as he has, then there is no reason why the club cannot achieve success.