Bengaluru: It’s been 10 years and 23 days since a lanky 17-year-old striker walked out for AFC Bournemouth. Now 27, Sam Vokes is enjoying life in the Premier League with Burnley FC.
In many ways, 2016 was the Welshman’s year.
The early part saw Vokes and his strike partner play Andre Gray play lead roles in Burnley’s promotion when they went on a 24-match unbeaten run post Christmas, starting exactly one year ago to date.
A fairytale summer followed as Wales surprised, entertained and inspired with their glorious run to the semi-finals of the Euro 2016 wherein Vokes’ goal against Belgium in the quarter-finals, undoubtedly a personal highlight, has since been revealed as the fifth most tweeted moment of this year.
“(It was) the best feeling ever,” recalled Vokes.
“It was amazing to be part of the team that beat Belgium and reach the semifinals and to score that goal was an indescribable feeling.”
Now, months removed from the thrills and frills of the tournament, Vokes is quite reflective of Wales’ achievement and future.
“It was a big burden (years of missing out international competitions). For many years, teams didn’t achieve what they should have. So for us, it was great to be part of the team that got into the tournament for the first time in 50 years. Going forward I think it’s important that we deal with the expectations, because people expect us to win now and it’s not that simple,” he revealed during a telephone interview with this correspondent.
On top for the Clarets
Now, as the year winds down, Vokes, back in the Premier League, lead the scoring charts for The Clarets with four goals and two assists, keeping the Lancashire club, currently 14th and six points above the drop zone, well on its way to retaining their top division status.
While the stars look to have aligned for the striker, it was only a few years ago that he was caught in a web of disappointment, injuries and a whirlwind spell of six loan moves in three years between 2009-12.
His subsequent transfer to Turf Moor fetched him the stability he sought but having missed the first half of the club’s last canter in the Premier League due to a serious knee injury and used predominantly as a substitute in the latter half, the former Wolverhampton man has had to dig deep to rise to the top.
“It’s very hard. The nine months off the field was a tough time. To miss that Premier League season as well, wanting to prove myself at that level,” says Vokes. “But I think when you come back it’s just as hard because you are not really used to it and it takes another nine months really to get properly fit and used to it, to play with confidence again.”
It was that drive and spirit to get another stab at the top division that played a huge part in his successful return to the Premier League.
“It’s very hard to get relegated from the Premier League and go straight back up so it was great for the team to do that. Me and Andre scored lots of goals and helped get promoted,” the striker revealed.
