Sam Brown’s first club of note was Rutherglen Glencairn, but in 1922 he joined the Scottish First Division side Third Lanark. His seven seasons with the Glasgow club included loan-spells with the Stirling-based Second Division side King’s Park (April 1923) and also with East Stirlingshire (September 1928), but in May 1929 he was signed by Bournemouth. The robust defender was a regular in the “Cherries'” first team for two seasons, amassing 58 Third Division (South) appearances, but on joining the Albion in May 1931 he found life more difficult. The form of skipper Frank Brett condemned him to a season in the reserves, and he left for Chester. In November 1932, Sam joined Swindon Town where he appeared just twice before leaving the Football League arena.
Sam played 4 matches for the Seagulls in 1931-32.