Blades-Mad feature on loan Wolverhampton Wanderers and Welsh international striker Sam Vokes in our player-profiles section.
DoB: 21 October 1989
POB: Southampton
Height: 6ft 2inch
Debut: 15/02/2011 vs. Reading
Clubs: AFC Bournemouth (youth, 2005-06), AFC Bournemouth (2006-08, 42 (17) + 16), Wolverhampton Wanderers (2008-??), Leeds United (loan, 2009, 9 (0) + 1), Bristol City (loan, 2010-11, 0 (1) + 0), Sheffield United (loan, 2011).
Welsh international Vokes joined the Blades on a month’s loan a day prior to making his full debut against Reading in a 1-1 draw at Bramall Lane.
He had come through the youth ranks at Bournemouth under then manager Sean O’Driscall and was handed his debut in December 2006 in a 2-0 win over Nottingham Forest and scored his first Football League goal twelve days later at Gillingham (1-1).
Despite being linked with several clubs such as Newcastle United, Aston Villa, Everton and Celtic the striker remained with the Cherries for the 2007-08 season; and after a slow start the forward found his way to goal. He netted 12 times during that season but his goals were unable to prevent the club being relegated to League Two.
He signed for Wolverhampton Wanderers in May 2008 on a four year contract and marked his debut by coming off the bench on the opening day of the season to equalise at Plymouth Argyle in a 2-2 draw.
Vokes netted eight goals that season as the Gold and Black celebrated winning promotion to the Premier League for only the second time in the clubs history – also that same season he won his first international cap; representing Wales against Azerbaijan.
The following season he moved to Leeds United on loan, finding life tough at Molineux with Sylvian Ebanks-Blake and Chris Iwelumo as the two main forward lines – he had enjoyed much football during their promotion season with both strikers picking up lengthy injuries.
He made his Elland Road debut in a 2-1 home win over Norwich City in October 2009, he stayed at the Whites for three months; returning to the Midlands after scoring just one goal in nine appearances.
During the 2010/11 campaign he tried his hand at Bristol City – signing on a five month loan deal, but would be unfortunate to hit a setback.
He made his Robins debut on 7th August, replacing Jamal Campbell-Ryce on the 54th minute, but 13 minutes into his debut he was forced to leave the game injured (hamstring). Vokes was out for some time and attempted a comeback in the reserves in December, but this only lasted 18 minutes when he injured re-occurred.
Following his loan spell he returned to Molineux after just one substitute appearance for the Robins and a very frustrating time for Vokes. He played in the FA Cup replay victory over Doncaster Rovers (5-0) in round three and their 1-0 fourth round exit against Stoke City before joining the Blades on loan.
Updated: February 2010
