Sam Hardy (26 August 1882 - 24 October 1966) was an English goalkeeper who was one of the safest pair of hands in the history of British football.  While playing for Newbold White Star he caught the attention of Chesterfield of the second division, who signed him in April 1903. When Liverpool won the second division title in 1904–5 they scored six goals against Chesterfield but were so impressed by Hardy that they paid £500 for his transfer.  He made thirty appearances in the side as Liverpool won the First Division title the following year.   Hardy's international career began in 1907 and, although it was interrupted by the war, included twenty-one appearances for England between 1907 and 1920; he also played in the three ‘victory’ internationals in 1919–20. In May 1912 Hardy moved to Aston Villa together with centre half J. Harrop for a combined fee of £1250. In his first season Aston Villa won the FA cup and finished second in the league. He was also in the team which won the first cup final after the First World War. In August 1921, at the age of thirty-eight, Hardy moved to Nottingham Forest, helping them to become champions of the second division in that season. He retired in 1925 after a career of 552 league appearances.  He was known in the game as 'Silent Sam', a name which epitomized his unobtrusive style.