SAM SAUNDERS says it was sink or swim for him at Brentford during two years of
injury hell.
The Bees’ longest-serving player considered retirement — but was saved by a
swimwear business he started with ex-West Brom player Liam Ridgewell.
Now fit again, Saunders said: “I couldn’t keep going home worrying about this
injury all the time. My safe haven was to start something new and focus my
energy on that until I got back fit. The swim shorts company kept me busy.”
The pair called the business Thomas Royall and winger Saunders, 32, said:
“I’ve always been interested in fashion. I got together with Liam who’s now
over at Portland Timbers in the MLS and we started the company up.
“I’m very hands-on with the design. I get the boys involved as well and ask
them what they like. They don’t hesitate in giving me stick if they don’t
like them. You’ve got the boring lads who like plain ones but some of them
like the really bold prints.
“It’s starting to go nicely and we’re in Harrods now. You’ve always got to
think about life after football.”
Brentford host Bristol City today after winning their last three games, with
Saunders grabbing the opener to set them on their way to last weekend’s 3-1
win at Ipswich.
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The fans’ favourite joined from Dagenham & Redbridge in 2009. And,
after firing Daggers up to the Football League in 2007, he helped the Bees
to promotion to the Championship.
But he was sidelined for 11 months with a knee injury in January 2014. Then,
on loan at Wycombe, he tore his calf muscle just minutes into their League
Two play-off final — putting him out for a further five months.
Saunders added: “At the time I thought, ‘do I really want to go through all
this again?’ But you have to stick at it. I never take anything for granted
now and I feel stronger every week.
“I’m not ready to retire yet. I’ve come from the Conference South all the way
up so it would be a shame not to test myself.”
There was heartbreak for Saunders’ team-mate Alan Judge — shortlisted for
Championship player of the year alongside Burnley’s Andre Gray and Fulham’s
Ross McCormack — who suffered a double leg break after a tackle from Luke
Hyam in the Ipswich game.
Midfielder Judge has been in superb form for Bees, topping their assists and
goals charts with 14 strikes on his way to winning his first Republic of
Ireland cap.
Saunders said: “After losing Judgey after two minutes, we were all devastated
on the pitch for him. But that drove us on and that win was for him.
“Eight or nine of the lads went to see him in hospital on Tuesday. He had the
operation on Monday and was in good spirits. It was good to see him with a
smile on his face.
“I offered him a bed wash but he wasn’t having it. I can’t understand that!”
You can check out Sam’s range at