He played representative level rugby union (RU) for England, Yorkshire and Durham, and at club level for Hull FC, Hull Kingston Rovers (two spells), and West Hartlepool,[2] as a wing, or centre,[1] and club level rugby league (RL) for Hull Kingston Rovers.

Morfitt was born in Hull, East Riding of Yorkshire, and is one of 8 siblings and his birth was registered in Sculcoates district.

He died aged 85 in Kingston upon Hull, East Riding of Yorkshire, England.

Morfitt was the 265 player to be capped by England and won caps for England (RU) while at West Hartlepool in 1894 against Wales, Ireland, and Scotland, and while at Hull Kingston Rovers in 1896 against Wales, Ireland, and Scotland.

When Hull Kingston Rovers converted from the rugby union code to the rugby league code for the 1897/98 season, Sammy Morfitt would have been approximately 28 years of age.