Sam Dalby left Wrexham in the summer, joining League One hopefuls Bolton Wanderers on a free transfer.
Wrexham watched on as Sam Dalby found form in Scotland last season. On loan at Dundee United, Dalby scored 15 goals in 35 league games, and his future was a hot topic at the Racecourse this summer.
Wrexham offered Dalby a new contract to stay at the club. But he rejected it, leaving as a free agent. Dalby eventually signed for Bolton Wanderers in League One.
But in eight League One appearances, Dalby is yet to score. In fact, Dalby is yet to start a league game for the Trotters given the fine form of Mason Burstow who’s scored seven in 11 League One games, making him the division’s top scorer right now.
Steve Schumacher plays down Sam Dalby claim after Wrexham exit
Speaking to The Bolton News, manager Steven Schumacher has played down any indication that Dalby is frustrated at how his Bolton Wanderers career has started. Instead, Schumacher insists that Dalby continues to train hard.
He said: “I don’t sense from Sam that he is frustrated. He is another one of those brilliant characters on the training pitch who gets his head down and works properly every single day. He isn’t one who moans about anything.
“At the moment he can’t moan, when he looks at Mason who has been playing his position and scored seven goals in 11 games.
“Sometimes I think as a striker you just have to be patient, and Sam knows that he will get his chance to start games. I know that when he gets that opportunity he will be effective as well because he’s a good player and we know what he can do.”
What Phil Parkinson said when Sam Dalby left Wrexham
At the end of last season, Wrexham released eight players. Dalby was among those eight and at the time, Parkinson spoke very fondly of Dalby’s form in 2024/25.
Wrexham offered Dalby a contract renewal back in January which he sat on for the second half of the season. Parkinson had no ill-feelings towards the player when he chose to leave.
The Dragons boss said: “I had a good chat with Sam the other day and I am pleased for him.
“Obviously we spoke to him in January about extending his contract and we didn’t want to call him back… With his performances for Dundee United, he has got himself in a strong position to earn a contract somewhere.
“I am sure there are going to be a lot of options for him out there.”
For Dalby, the resurgent form of Burstow was unexpected and it’s so far keeping him out of the team. But he’ll get more chances and he remains under a four-year contract at the club, and at just 25 years old, there’s still plenty of time for him to fulfil his potential.