The starting midfielder for the Oxnard College Condors’ soccer team, Sam Nellis, is not what you would call a “hometown kid.”

Originally from Manchester, England, he is a long way from home, but you could not tell by looking at him. Wearing some shorts and sandals, he seemed to fit right in as your typical student-athlete.

Nellis, 24, first came to the United States at 18 years old, to Orange County for a brief coaching stint with coaching company U.K. International. They offered him a full-time contract but he rejected it.

He earned an Associate of Arts degree in England but could not get it transferred due to visa issues.

He came back at age 21 to start studying at Ventura College and playing soccer at Oxnard College. Nellis is also married, having met and marrying a girl from Camarillo a year ago, and has been in this area ever since.

Nellis does not mind going back to school, and loves the community college atmosphere, as well as the strong soccer program at Oxnard College.

“I like VC because it’s a nice college, cool college, laid back and I like OC because it’s got a soccer team, probably the best in this area,” Nellis said.

Nellis was injured during this year’s preseason and was set back two weeks, but was able to come back.

He is confident that the Condors have a good team, and will have a solid season.

“I think we’ll do well, we’ll do very well,” Nellis said. “We started of pretty slow in the season, but now we have been playing together as a team we’ll do better.”

He is a vocal leader on the team, as he tries to give advice on the field to his younger teammates.

Currently, Nellis is working as an under-12 coach for Real So Cal and getting his degree, although he is still undecided on a major.

He would love to start his own coaching company as well as be a head coach for a college or university.

However, getting his degree is his top priority.

It has been hard moving away from his homeland as he misses his family, friends and England’s soccer.

“[I] miss watching the soccer games over there, the atmosphere, the passion,” Nellis said. “I go watch the Galaxy and it’s boring. It doesn’t interest me.”

It has been tough balance for Nellis, between school, practice, games, coaching and his personal life. He continued by saying the he has to manage his work around his tough school schedule.

One of his favorite things he misses from England is the food, such as pies. These pies are filled with beef, mashed potatoes, carrots, gravy etc.

However, he has found a favorite replacement.

“I love In-N-Out, that is one thing I love about the U.S.A., is In-N-Out,” said Nellis.