Sam Vokes
Encyclopedia
Samuel Michael "Sam" Vokes is an English-born Welsh
International
footballer who plays as a striker
. He is currently on loan at Championship
side Burnley
from Premier League club Wolverhampton Wanderers
.
Vokes began his professional career at then-struggling Bournemouth
, making his debut in 2006. His form there earned a move to Championship
side Wolverhampton Wanderers
, where he helped them win promotion to the Premier League in his first season.
He has become an established member of the Welsh national team
, who he has also represented at under-21 level
. Although born in England, Vokes is eligible to represent Wales through a Welsh-born grandfather.
, Vokes stepped up into Bournemouth
's first team on 5 December 2006 in a 2–0 victory over Nottingham Forest
. His first senior goal came in a 1–1 draw at Gillingham
on 16 December. This form saw the club give him a three-and-a-half year professional contract during the following month.
The striker remained at Bournemouth during the 2007–08 season, despite being linked to several other clubs, including Newcastle United
, Aston Villa
, Everton
and Celtic
. The youngster was a bright spark in an otherwise tumultuous season for the Cherries as they were embroiled in a club ownership saga. His 12 goal tally could not prevent Bournemouth from being relegated to League Two
.
side Wolverhampton Wanderers
on 23 May 2008. Vokes marked his debut for the club by coming off the bench to equalise in a 2–2 draw at Plymouth Argyle
on the opening day of the 2008–09 season
.
With the goalscoring form of Chris Iwelumo
and Sylvan Ebanks-Blake
firing the club to the top of the table – that they led for almost the entire season – Vokes was mostly only employed as a substitute. Nonetheless he contributed a number of vital goals to help the team win promotion to the Premier League as champions.
To gain playing time, Vokes moved to League One
side Leeds United
in October 2009 on loan until the New Year, making his Leeds debut in a 2–1 victory over on 19 October. He scored once for the club against but competition between Leeds strikers meant Vokes returned to Wolves when the deal ended.
Vokes went out on loan once more in August 2010 when he moved to Championship side Bristol City
. He endured a miserable stay, tearing his hamstring within minutes of making his debut in a game against Millwall
and re-aggravating the injury in a reserve match in December. He returned to Wolves when his loan expired in January having played just 13 minutes of first team football.
Once again fit, he moved on a month-long loan to another Championship side, Sheffield United
, in February 2011 and made his début the same evening in a 1-1 draw with Reading
. With their other attacking options regaining fitness, the Blades elected not to extend Vokes' loan period, meaning he was instead signed up by promotion-chasing Norwich City
on 23 March on an emergency loan for the rest of the season. However, an injury to Wolves' leading goalscorer Kevin Doyle
saw the club recall him after just four appearances for the Canaries, during which he scored once. Back at Molineux
, he made two substitute appearances for the team during the run-in as they narrowly avoided relegation on the final day.
During the current season, he has made four Premier League appearances for Wolves, but has yet to start a league game. In November 2011 he once more went out on loan to a Championship
side, this time joining Burnley
until 15 January.
He is contracted to Wolves until Summer 2013.
called him up to the Welsh under-21 team
, and he made his debut against Northern Ireland U21
on 6 February 2007. The seventeen-year-old made an instant impression by scoring after 36 seconds, a team record, in a 4–0 victory. He remained in the team and featured in their European U-21 Championship qualifying campaign
.
He was soon called-up to the senior squad and made his debut in a 1–0 friendly win in Iceland
on 28 May 2008. Vokes scored his first senior international goal when he netted the winner in a 1–0 win over Azerbaijan
in their opening 2010 World Cup qualifier
on 6 September 2008; his second international goal arrived in a friendly against Montenegro
on 12 August 2009. In November 2011 Vokes came on as a 85th minute substitute and scored two goals in a 4–1 win over Norway.
International goals
Wales' goal tally first
Wales
Wales is a country that is part of the United Kingdom and the island of Great Britain, bordered by England to its east and the Atlantic Ocean and Irish Sea to its west. It has a population of three million, and a total area of 20,779 km²...
International
Wales national football team
The Wales national football team represents Wales in international football. It is controlled by the Football Association of Wales , the governing body for football in Wales, and the third oldest national football association in the world. The team have only qualified for a major international...
footballer who plays as a striker
Striker
Forwards, also known as strikers, are the players on a team in association football who play nearest to the opposing team's goal, and are therefore principally responsible for scoring goals...
. He is currently on loan at Championship
Football League Championship
The Football League Championship is the highest division of The Football League and second-highest division overall in the English football league system after the Premier League...
side Burnley
Burnley F.C.
Burnley Football Club are a professional English Football League club based in Burnley, Lancashire. Nicknamed the Clarets, due to the dominant colour of their home shirts, they were founder members of the Football League in 1888...
from Premier League club Wolverhampton Wanderers
Wolverhampton Wanderers F.C.
Wolverhampton Wanderers Football Club is an English professional association football club that represents the city of Wolverhampton in the West Midlands region. They are members of the Premier League, the highest level of English football. The club was founded in 1877 and since 1889 has played at...
.
Vokes began his professional career at then-struggling Bournemouth
A.F.C. Bournemouth
A.F.C. Bournemouth is an English football club currently playing in Football League One. The club plays at Dean Court in Kings Park, Boscombe, Bournemouth, Dorset and have been in existence since 1899....
, making his debut in 2006. His form there earned a move to Championship
Football League Championship
The Football League Championship is the highest division of The Football League and second-highest division overall in the English football league system after the Premier League...
side Wolverhampton Wanderers
Wolverhampton Wanderers F.C.
Wolverhampton Wanderers Football Club is an English professional association football club that represents the city of Wolverhampton in the West Midlands region. They are members of the Premier League, the highest level of English football. The club was founded in 1877 and since 1889 has played at...
, where he helped them win promotion to the Premier League in his first season.
He has become an established member of the Welsh national team
Wales national football team
The Wales national football team represents Wales in international football. It is controlled by the Football Association of Wales , the governing body for football in Wales, and the third oldest national football association in the world. The team have only qualified for a major international...
, who he has also represented at under-21 level
Wales national under-21 football team
The Wales national under-21 football team, also known as the Wales U21s, is the national under-21 football team of Wales and is controlled by the Football Association of Wales. The team competes in the UEFA European Under-21 Football Championship, held every two years...
. Although born in England, Vokes is eligible to represent Wales through a Welsh-born grandfather.
Early career
Born in Southampton and raised in LymingtonLymington
Lymington is a port on the west bank of the Lymington River on the Solent, in the New Forest district of Hampshire, England. It is to the east of the South East Dorset conurbation, and faces Yarmouth on the Isle of Wight which is connected to it by a car ferry, operated by Wightlink. The town...
, Vokes stepped up into Bournemouth
A.F.C. Bournemouth
A.F.C. Bournemouth is an English football club currently playing in Football League One. The club plays at Dean Court in Kings Park, Boscombe, Bournemouth, Dorset and have been in existence since 1899....
's first team on 5 December 2006 in a 2–0 victory over Nottingham Forest
Nottingham Forest F.C.
Nottingham Forest Football Club is an English Association Football club based in West Bridgford, Nottingham, that plays in the Football League Championship...
. His first senior goal came in a 1–1 draw at Gillingham
Gillingham F.C.
Gillingham Football Club is an English professional football club based in the town of Gillingham, Kent. The only Kent-based club in the Football League, they play their home matches at the Priestfield Stadium...
on 16 December. This form saw the club give him a three-and-a-half year professional contract during the following month.
The striker remained at Bournemouth during the 2007–08 season, despite being linked to several other clubs, including Newcastle United
Newcastle United F.C.
Newcastle United Football Club is an English professional association football club based in Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne and Wear. The club was founded in 1892 by the merger of Newcastle East End and Newcastle West End, and has played at its current home ground, St James' Park, since the merger...
, Aston Villa
Aston Villa F.C.
Aston Villa Football Club is an English professional association football club based in Witton, Birmingham. The club was founded in 1874 and have played at their current home ground, Villa Park, since 1897. Aston Villa were founder members of The Football League in 1888. They were also founder...
, Everton
Everton F.C.
Everton Football Club are an English professional association football club from the city of Liverpool. The club competes in the Premier League, the highest level of English football...
and Celtic
Celtic F.C.
Celtic Football Club is a Scottish football club based in the Parkhead area of Glasgow, which currently plays in the Scottish Premier League. The club was established in 1887, and played its first game in 1888. Celtic have won the Scottish League Championship on 42 occasions, most recently in the...
. The youngster was a bright spark in an otherwise tumultuous season for the Cherries as they were embroiled in a club ownership saga. His 12 goal tally could not prevent Bournemouth from being relegated to League Two
Football League Two
Football League Two is the third-highest division of The Football League and fourth-highest division overall in the English football league system....
.
Wolves
He eventually signed a four-year contract with ChampionshipFootball League Championship
The Football League Championship is the highest division of The Football League and second-highest division overall in the English football league system after the Premier League...
side Wolverhampton Wanderers
Wolverhampton Wanderers F.C.
Wolverhampton Wanderers Football Club is an English professional association football club that represents the city of Wolverhampton in the West Midlands region. They are members of the Premier League, the highest level of English football. The club was founded in 1877 and since 1889 has played at...
on 23 May 2008. Vokes marked his debut for the club by coming off the bench to equalise in a 2–2 draw at Plymouth Argyle
Plymouth Argyle F.C.
Plymouth Argyle Football Club is an English professional football club, based in Plymouth, Devon, that plays in Football League Two.Since becoming professional in 1903, the club has won five Football League titles, five Southern League titles and one Western League title. The 2009–10 season was the...
on the opening day of the 2008–09 season
2008–09 in English football
The 2008–09 season was the 129th season of competitive football in England.-Overview:* West Bromwich Albion, Stoke City and Hull City were all playing in the Premier League after winning promotion from the Championship last season. Stoke returned to the top flight after a 23-year absence, while...
.
With the goalscoring form of Chris Iwelumo
Chris Iwelumo
Christopher Robert "Chris" Iwelumo is a Scottish footballer who plays for Watford as a striker.Iwelumo started his career with St Mirren before moving to Danish club Aarhus Fremad for two years. A move to Stoke City in 2000 saw him sent out on loan to several teams before a short-lived spell with...
and Sylvan Ebanks-Blake
Sylvan Ebanks-Blake
Sylvan Agustus Ebanks-Blake is an English footballer of Jamaican descent who plays as a striker for Premier League club Wolverhampton Wanderers....
firing the club to the top of the table – that they led for almost the entire season – Vokes was mostly only employed as a substitute. Nonetheless he contributed a number of vital goals to help the team win promotion to the Premier League as champions.
To gain playing time, Vokes moved to League One
Football League One
Football League One is the second-highest division of The Football League and third-highest division overall in the English football league system....
side Leeds United
Leeds United A.F.C.
Leeds United Association Football Club are an English professional association football club based in Beeston, Leeds, West Yorkshire, who play in the Football League Championship, the second tier of the English football league system...
in October 2009 on loan until the New Year, making his Leeds debut in a 2–1 victory over on 19 October. He scored once for the club against but competition between Leeds strikers meant Vokes returned to Wolves when the deal ended.
Vokes went out on loan once more in August 2010 when he moved to Championship side Bristol City
Bristol City F.C.
Bristol City Football Club is one of two football league clubs in Bristol, England . They play at Ashton Gate, located in the south-west of the City...
. He endured a miserable stay, tearing his hamstring within minutes of making his debut in a game against Millwall
Millwall F.C.
Millwall Football Club is an English professional football club based in South Bermondsey, south east London, that plays in the Football League Championship, the second tier of English football. Founded as Millwall Rovers in 1885, the club has retained its name despite having last played in the...
and re-aggravating the injury in a reserve match in December. He returned to Wolves when his loan expired in January having played just 13 minutes of first team football.
Once again fit, he moved on a month-long loan to another Championship side, Sheffield United
Sheffield United F.C.
Sheffield United Football Club is a professional English football club based in the city of Sheffield, South Yorkshire.They were the first sporting team to use the name 'United' and are nicknamed 'The Blades', thanks to Sheffield's worldwide reputation for steel production...
, in February 2011 and made his début the same evening in a 1-1 draw with Reading
Reading F.C.
Reading Football Club is an English association football club based in the town of Reading, Berkshire who currently play in the Championship...
. With their other attacking options regaining fitness, the Blades elected not to extend Vokes' loan period, meaning he was instead signed up by promotion-chasing Norwich City
Norwich City F.C.
Norwich City Football Club is an English professional football club based in Norwich, Norfolk. As of the 2011–12 season, Norwich City are again playing in the Premier League after a six-year absence, having finished as runner up in the Championship in 2010–11 and winning automatic promotion.The...
on 23 March on an emergency loan for the rest of the season. However, an injury to Wolves' leading goalscorer Kevin Doyle
Kevin Doyle
Kevin Edward Doyle is an Irish international footballer who plays as a striker for Premier League club Wolverhampton Wanderers....
saw the club recall him after just four appearances for the Canaries, during which he scored once. Back at Molineux
Molineux stadium
Molineux Stadium is a Premier League football stadium situated in Whitmore Reans, Wolverhampton, England. It has been the home ground of Wolverhampton Wanderers Football Club since 1889, and has a long and illustrious history as the first 'new build' stadium in Football League history, one of the...
, he made two substitute appearances for the team during the run-in as they narrowly avoided relegation on the final day.
During the current season, he has made four Premier League appearances for Wolves, but has yet to start a league game. In November 2011 he once more went out on loan to a Championship
Football League Championship
The Football League Championship is the highest division of The Football League and second-highest division overall in the English football league system after the Premier League...
side, this time joining Burnley
Burnley F.C.
Burnley Football Club are a professional English Football League club based in Burnley, Lancashire. Nicknamed the Clarets, due to the dominant colour of their home shirts, they were founder members of the Football League in 1888...
until 15 January.
He is contracted to Wolves until Summer 2013.
International career
Although born in England, Vokes is eligible to represent Wales through a Welsh-born grandfather. Upon discovering Vokes' eligibility, Wales U21 coach Brian FlynnBrian Flynn
Brian Flynn, is a Welsh football manager and former Welsh international player.On 13 September 2010 Flynn was confirmed caretaker manager of the Wales national football team after John Toshack stepped down...
called him up to the Welsh under-21 team
Wales national under-21 football team
The Wales national under-21 football team, also known as the Wales U21s, is the national under-21 football team of Wales and is controlled by the Football Association of Wales. The team competes in the UEFA European Under-21 Football Championship, held every two years...
, and he made his debut against Northern Ireland U21
Northern Ireland national under-21 football team
The Northern Ireland national under-21 football team is the national under-21 football team of Northern Ireland.-Former coaches:* To 20 August 2008.-2008/09 Matches:-Current squad:Squad to play San Marino.-Other Recent Call-Ups:...
on 6 February 2007. The seventeen-year-old made an instant impression by scoring after 36 seconds, a team record, in a 4–0 victory. He remained in the team and featured in their European U-21 Championship qualifying campaign
2009 UEFA European Under-21 Football Championship Qualification Group 10
The teams competing in Group 10 of the 2009 UEFA European Under-21 Championship qualifying competition are Bosnia and Herzegovina, France, Malta, Romania and Wales.-Standings:Key:...
.
He was soon called-up to the senior squad and made his debut in a 1–0 friendly win in Iceland
Iceland national football team
The Iceland national football team is the national football team of Iceland and is controlled by the Football Association of Iceland. It has never advanced to the finals of any major international competition....
on 28 May 2008. Vokes scored his first senior international goal when he netted the winner in a 1–0 win over Azerbaijan
Azerbaijan national football team
The Azerbaijan national football team is the national football team of Azerbaijan and is controlled by Association of Football Federations of Azerbaijan...
in their opening 2010 World Cup qualifier
2010 FIFA World Cup qualification - UEFA Group 4
The 2010 FIFA World Cup qualification UEFA Group 4 was a UEFA qualifying group for the 2010 FIFA World Cup. The group comprised 2006 FIFA World Cup hosts Germany, Russia, Finland, Wales, Azerbaijan and Liechtenstein....
on 6 September 2008; his second international goal arrived in a friendly against Montenegro
Montenegro national football team
The Montenegro national football team represents Montenegro in association football and is controlled by the Football Association of Montenegro, the governing body for football in Montenegro...
on 12 August 2009. In November 2011 Vokes came on as a 85th minute substitute and scored two goals in a 4–1 win over Norway.
International goals
Wales' goal tally first
| # | Date | Venue | Opponent | Score | Result | Competition |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | 6 September 2008 | Millennium Stadium Millennium Stadium The Millennium Stadium is the national stadium of Wales, located in the capital, Cardiff. It is the home of the Wales national rugby union team and also frequently stages games of the Wales national football team, but is also host to many other large scale events, such as the Super Special Stage... , Cardiff Cardiff Cardiff is the capital, largest city and most populous county of Wales and the 10th largest city in the United Kingdom. The city is Wales' chief commercial centre, the base for most national cultural and sporting institutions, the Welsh national media, and the seat of the National Assembly for... , Wales Wales Wales is a country that is part of the United Kingdom and the island of Great Britain, bordered by England to its east and the Atlantic Ocean and Irish Sea to its west. It has a population of three million, and a total area of 20,779 km²... |
1 – 0 | 1 – 0 | 2010 World Cup qualifying 2010 FIFA World Cup qualification (UEFA) The European zone of qualification for the 2010 FIFA World Cup saw 53 teams competing for 13 places at the finals. The qualification process started on 20 August 2008, after UEFA Euro 2008, and ended on 18 November 2009. The qualification process saw the first competitive matches of... |
|
| 2. | 12 August 2009 | Podgorica City Stadium Podgorica city stadium Podgorica Stadium is a multi-purpose stadium in Podgorica, Montenegro.Notable matches played at the stadium include:*SFR Yugoslavia - Luxembourg 0:0 - att: 15,000... , Podgorica Podgorica Podgorica , is the capital and largest city of Montenegro.Podgorica's favourable position at the confluence of the Ribnica and Morača rivers and the meeting point of the fertile Zeta Plain and Bjelopavlići Valley has encouraged settlement... , Montenegro Montenegro Montenegro Montenegrin: Crna Gora Црна Гора , meaning "Black Mountain") is a country located in Southeastern Europe. It has a coast on the Adriatic Sea to the south-west and is bordered by Croatia to the west, Bosnia and Herzegovina to the northwest, Serbia to the northeast and Albania to the... |
1 – 2 | 1 – 2 | Friendly Exhibition game An exhibition game is a sporting event in which there is no competitive value of any significant kind to any competitor regardless of the outcome of the competition... |
|
| 3. | 12 November 2011 | Cardiff City Stadium, Cardiff, Wales | 3 – 1 | 4 – 1 | Friendly | |
| 4. | 12 November 2011 | Cardiff City Stadium, Cardiff, Wales | 4 – 1 | 4 – 1 | Friendly |