Samuel ‘Sam’ J J Little (2015-2020), 2002-2025
Sam Little, who sadly passed away earlier this year, started his St Paul’s odyssey by playing football in the barn at Colet Court. He ended it as a flying wingback for the 1st Team in a season sadly curtailed by Covid. But his favourite triumphs were driving the 2nd Team to league victory under Gaz O’Brien and leading his 4-2-1 team to unlikely cup glory against all odds.
Sport was his greatest love, whether terrifying opposition defences on the rugby field, or surging to 400m victory at Harrow. The St Paul’s gym encouraged his evangelical enthusiasm for weights, which ultimately inspired his family to join his sessions.
Sam was a prolific writer – the family poet laureate – and avid reader of everything from Virginia Woolf to Percy Jackson. He skipped over academic hurdles including achieving a First in English Literature from Durham and was working on a philosophical novel while teaching himself everything from economics and probability to the science behind strength training.
When the tributes to Sam were collated, though, they dwelled not on his undoubted talents but on his kindness. He always took the time to think of others and show interest in their lives, even when he was struggling himself. He was so proud of his two little sisters, who adored him in turn.
If you’d like to honour Sam this weekend, go for a jog, or do some push-ups against the back of the sofa, or kick a ball about in the park. Read a book. Ask someone how they are and listen to the answer. Sam would be smiling you on.
