Sam Sene-Richardson bid an emotional farewell to Chatham Town after sealing his dream move to Premier League club Brentford.
The 19-year-old will link up with Brentford’s B team and thanked the supporters at Chatham for making it “feel like a second home” as he rose from academy prospect to one of non-league football’s brightest young talents.
Sene-Richardson has signed a two-year deal with the Bees, with the club holding the option of a further year, after a stunning 2025/26 campaign in which he registered 38 goal contributions.
Sene-Richardson scored 11 goals and provided 27 assists during his first full season in Chatham’s first team before earning his move to Brentford’s B team, where he hopes to take the next step towards Premier League football.
Before embarking on the next chapter of his career, the forward penned a heartfelt farewell to the Chats faithful.
“To the Chatham Town supporters, I want to say thank you.
“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’s 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.
“To be honest, I think I spent more time [at Chatham] than at my own house in the past few years, and that’s because you guys and the club as a whole became family to me.
“You gave me the confidence to express myself, play a freedom and made me believe that I belonged here from the get-go.
“One of my biggest honours was winning supporters’ player of the season in my first season for the club.
“To be recognised by the fans after everything you guys have done for me honestly meant so much to me. Of course, I couldn’t have done any of this without my family. They’ve backed me, supported me every step of the way.
“There are so many memories I’ll take with me. 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.”
Sene-Richardson joined Chatham after spending his early years as a youth player with Charlton Athletic and gained valuable experience with loan spells in Step 6 and Step 5 football before forcing his way into Chats’ first team.
His performances last season earned him a move to Brentford, where he has wasted no time setting his sights on reaching the top.
Following his move, he said: “I’m buzzing and I can’t wait to get started.
“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.”
Chatham continue their pre-season campaign on Tuesday evening when they travel to Dorking Wanderers for their first away friendly of the summer.
