Sam Vokes

{{Short description|Welsh footballer (born 1989)}}

{{Use British English|date=June 2013}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2018}}

{{Infobox football biography

| name = Sam Vokes

| image = AUT vs. WAL 2016-10-06 (177).jpg

| image_size = 200

| caption = Vokes with Wales, 2016

| full_name = Samuel Michael Vokes{{cite web |url=https://www.premierleague.com/news/612828 |title=Updated squads for 2017/18 Premier League confirmed |publisher=Premier League |date=2 February 2018 |access-date=10 February 2018}}

| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1989|10|21|df=y}}{{cite book|editor-last= Hugman|editor-first= Barry J. |title= The PFA Footballers' Who's Who 2008–09|publisher= Mainstream|year= 2008| isbn= 978-1-84596-324-8 }}

| birth_place = Southampton, England

| height = {{convert|1.86|m|order=flip}}{{cite web |url=https://uk.soccerway.com/players/samuel-michael-vokes/47068/ |title=S. Vokes: Summary |website=Soccerway |publisher=Perform Group |access-date=9 February 2019}}

| position = Striker

| currentclub = Wycombe Wanderers

| clubnumber = 9

| youthyears1 = 2005–2006

| youthclubs1 = AFC Bournemouth

| years1 = 2006–2008

| clubs1 = AFC Bournemouth

| caps1 = 54

| goals1 = 16

| years2 = 2008–2012

| clubs2 = Wolverhampton Wanderers

| caps2 = 47

| goals2 = 6

| years3 = 2009

| clubs3 = → Leeds United (loan)

| caps3 = 8

| goals3 = 1

| years4 = 2010–2011

| clubs4 = → Bristol City (loan)

| caps4 = 1

| goals4 = 0

| years5 = 2011

| clubs5 = → Sheffield United (loan)

| caps5 = 6

| goals5 = 1

| years6 = 2011

| clubs6 = → Norwich City (loan)

| caps6 = 4

| goals6 = 1

| years7 = 2011–2012

| clubs7 = → Burnley (loan)

| caps7 = 9

| goals7 = 2

| years8 = 2012

| clubs8 = → Brighton & Hove Albion (loan)

| caps8 = 14

| goals8 = 3

| years9 = 2012–2019

| clubs9 = Burnley

| caps9 = 230

| goals9 = 56

| years10 = 2019–2021

| clubs10 = Stoke City

| caps10 = 78

| goals10 = 8

| years11 = 2021–

| clubs11 = Wycombe Wanderers

| caps11 = 125

| goals11 = 28

| club-update = 17:10, 5 May 2025 (UTC)

| nationalyears1 = 2007–2010

| nationalteam1 = Wales U21

| nationalcaps1 = 14

| nationalgoals1 = 4

| nationalyears2 = 2008–2019

| nationalteam2 = Wales

| nationalcaps2 = 64

| nationalgoals2 = 11

| nationalteam-update = 17:10, 5 May 2025 (UTC)

}}

Samuel Michael Vokes (born 21 October 1989) is a professional footballer who plays as a striker for {{English football updater|WycombeW}} club Wycombe Wanderers, and formerly for the Wales national team.

Vokes began his professional career at AFC Bournemouth in League One, 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. In four seasons at Wolves, he played only 59 games, spending time on loan at six other clubs. In 2012, he transferred to Burnley, where he made 258 appearances and scored 62 goals, twice earning promotion to the Premier League. He signed for Stoke City in January 2019.

He has become an established member of the Wales national team, who he has also represented at under-21 level. Born and raised in England, Vokes is eligible to represent Wales through descendancy from his Welsh born grandfather.{{cite news| title = Vokes looking forward to an England test|url = http://www.bournemouthecho.co.uk/sport/topsport/display.var.2271765.0.vokes_looking_forward_to_an_england_test.php| work = Bournemouth Echo|date =15 May 2008}} He has earned over 60 caps since his debut in 2008, and was part of their team that reached the semi-finals of UEFA Euro 2016.

Early life

Vokes was born in Southampton and raised in Lymington, and attended Priestlands School in Pennington.{{cite web |title=Students at Priestlands School roar behind ex-pupil and Welsh hero Sam Vokes |url=https://www.dailyecho.co.uk/news/14597737.students-at-priestlands-school-roar-behind-ex-pupil-and-welsh-hero-sam-vokes/ |website=Southern Daily Echo |access-date=26 August 2019}}{{cite news| title =Vokes looking forward to an England test|url=http://www.bournemouthecho.co.uk/sport/2271765.vokes_looking_forward_to_an_england_test/|work=Bournemouth Daily Echo|date=15 May 2008}} Vokes began playing in the Southampton Academy but was released when he was ten-years-old.{{cite web |title=Vokes holds no grudges against Southampton |url=https://www.clitheroeadvertiser.co.uk/sport/football/vokes-holds-no-grudges-against-southampton-1-7168783 |website=Clitheroe Advertiser |access-date=26 August 2019}} Vokes took a BTEC at Brockenhurst College and was taken on by Bournemouth's Academy.{{cite web |title=Burnley striker Sam Vokes delighted to be playing more than Mr Nice Guy |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/burnley/11336270/Burnley-striker-Sam-Vokes-delighted-to-be-playing-more-than-Mr-Nice-Guy.html |website=The Telegraph |access-date=26 August 2019}}

Club career

=AFC Bournemouth=

Vokes stepped up into AFC Bournemouth's first team on 5 December 2006 in a 2–0 victory over Nottingham Forest.{{cite web |title=Bournemouth 2–0 Nottm Forest |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_2/6201530.stm |website=BBC Sport |access-date=26 August 2019 |date=5 December 2006}} His first senior goal came in a 1–1 draw at Gillingham on 16 December.{{cite web |title=Gillingham v AFC Bournemouth, 16 December 2006 |url=https://www.11v11.com/matches/gillingham-v-afc-bournemouth-16-december-2006-276198/ |website=11V11 |access-date=26 August 2019}} The club gave him a three-and-a-half-year professional contract during the following month.{{cite news| title =Vokes hailed after earning deal|url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/b/bournemouth/6288497.stm| publisher = BBC Sport|date =22 January 2007}} He made 14 appearances and scored four goals in his debut season as the Cherries finished in 18th spot.

Vokes remained at Bournemouth during the 2007–08 season, despite being linked to several other clubs, including Newcastle United, Aston Villa, Everton and Celtic.{{cite news| title = Vokes unfazed by big club scouts| url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/b/bournemouth/7311804.stm| publisher = BBC Sport| date =24 March 2008}} He also turned down Crewe Alexandra in January 2008 who had made a £200,000 bid.{{cite web |title=CREWE CLOSING IN ON VOKES |url=https://www.bournemouthecho.co.uk/sport/2006802.crewe-closing-in-on-vokes/ |website=Daily Echo |date=31 January 2008 |access-date=26 August 2019}}{{cite web |title=Vokes says no |url=https://www.crewechronicle.co.uk/news/local-news/vokes-says-no-5631626 |website=Crewe Chronicle |date=31 January 2008 |access-date=26 August 2019}} Vokes 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.{{cite news|title=Mum's the word for Vokes|url=http://www.bournemouthecho.co.uk/archive/2008/03/03/Top+Sport+%28be_topsport%29/2087086.Mum_s_the_word_for_Vokes/|work=Bournemouth Daily Echo|date=3 March 2008}}

=Wolverhampton Wanderers=

He eventually signed a four-year contract with Championship side Wolverhampton Wanderers on 23 May 2008.{{cite news| title = Vokes joins Wolves from Cherries| url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/w/wolverhampton_wanderers/7416632.stm| publisher = BBC Sport| date =23 May 2008}} Vokes marked his debut for the club by coming off the bench to equalise in a 2–2 draw away to Plymouth Argyle on the opening day of the 2008–09 season.{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_1/7540952.stm |title=Plymouth 2–2 Wolves|publisher=BBC Sport |date=9 August 2008}} With the goal-scoring 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 to eight goals to help the team win promotion to the Premier League as champions.{{cite web |title=Wolves 1–0 Doncaster |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_1/8015237.stm |website=BBC Sport |access-date=26 August 2019 |date=3 May 2009}}

To gain playing time, Vokes moved to League One side Leeds United in October 2009 on loan until the New Year,{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/l/leeds_united/8315591.stm |title=Leeds sign Wolves' Vokes on loan|publisher=BBC Sport |date=19 October 2009}} making his Leeds debut in a 2–1 victory over Norwich City on 19 October. He scored once for the club against Bristol Rovers{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_2/8316580.stm|title=Bristol Rovers 0–4 Leeds United|publisher=BBC Sport |date=27 October 2009}} 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.{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/b/bristol_city/8889500.stm|title=Bristol City sign Wolves striker Sam Vokes on loan|publisher=BBC Sport |date=5 August 2010}} He endured a miserable stay, tearing his hamstring within minutes of making his debut in a match against Millwall and re-aggravating the injury in a reserve match in December.{{cite web|url=http://www.bcfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10327~2245124,00.html|title=Vokes suffers new setback|publisher=Bristol City|date=15 December 2010|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101217155322/http://www.bcfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10327~2245124,00.html|archive-date=17 December 2010}} He returned to Wolves when his loan expired in January having played just 13 minutes of first team football.{{cite web |title=Vokes returns to Wolves |url=https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11688/6636431/vokes-returns-to-wolves |website=Sky Sports |access-date=26 August 2019}}

Once again fit, he moved on a month-long loan to another Championship side, Sheffield United, in February 2011{{cite news|title=Bjorn Helge Riise and Sam Vokes loaned to Blades|date=15 February 2011|publisher=BBC Sport|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/s/sheff_utd/9398429.stm}} and made his début the same evening in a 1–1 draw with Reading.{{cite web |title=Sheff Utd 1 – 1 Reading |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_1/9395080.stm |website=BBC Sport |access-date=26 August 2019 |date=15 February 2011}} With their other attacking options regaining fitness, the Blades elected not to extend Vokes' loan period,{{cite web |url=http://www.sheffieldtelegraph.co.uk/sport/sheffield-sport/vokes_exit_as_blades_have_change_of_heart_1_3208344?commentssort=1|title=Vokes exit as Blades have change of heart|work=Sheffield Telegraph |date=23 March 2011}} meaning he was instead signed up by promotion-chasing Norwich City on 23 March on an emergency loan for the rest of the season.{{cite news|title=Dani Pacheco and Sam Vokes Norwich City bound|date=24 March 2011|publisher=BBC Sport|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/n/norwich/9434413.stm}} 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.{{cite web|url=http://www.wolves.co.uk/page/News/0,,10307~2344236,00.html|title=Play it again Sam|publisher=wolves.co.uk|date=22 April 2011|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110426103344/http://www.wolves.co.uk/page/News/0,,10307~2344236,00.html|archive-date=26 April 2011}} Back at Molineux, he made two substitute appearances for the team during the run-in as they narrowly avoided relegation on the final day despite losing 3–2 against Blackburn Rovers.{{cite web |title=Wolves 2–3 Blackburn |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/13446629.stm |website=BBC Sport |access-date=26 August 2019 |date=22 May 2011}}

During the 2011–12 season, he made four Premier League appearances for Wolves, but did not start a league match. In November 2011 he once more went out on loan to a Championship side, this time joining Burnley until 15 January.{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/15793994.stm|title=Burnley sign Wolves striker Sam Vokes|publisher=BBC Sport |date=18 November 2011}} He played nine times for Burnley, scoring twice and impressed manager Eddie Howe.{{cite news |title=Eddie Howe is impressed by loan striker Vokes |work=BBC Sport |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/15963333 |access-date=26 August 2019}}

On 30 January 2012, Vokes joined Championship side Brighton & Hove Albion on loan until the end of the season.{{cite web|url=http://www.wolves.co.uk/page/News/0,,10307~2593168,00.html|title=Seagulls swoop for Sam|publisher=Wolves FC|date=30 January 2012|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120202093415/http://www.wolves.co.uk/page/News/0,,10307~2593168,00.html|archive-date=2 February 2012}} He scored on his full home debut in a 2–2 draw with Millwall on 14 February 2012. He scored three goals in total during his 14 appearances for the Seagulls.

=Burnley=

On 31 July 2012, Vokes joined Championship side Burnley permanently signing a three-year contract for an undisclosed fee, believed to be £350,000.{{cite news |title=Burnley sign Wales international Sam Vokes from Wolves |work=BBC Sport |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/19061539 |access-date=26 August 2019}}{{cite web|url=http://www.burnleyfootballclub.com/ |access-date=20 April 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120804210424/http://www.burnleyfootballclub.com/page/LatestHeadlines/0%2C%2C10413~2866164%2C00.html |title=Burnley FC headlines |archive-date=4 August 2012 |url-status=dead }} On 2 December, Vokes scored an equalising goal for Burnley in the 89th minute against fierce rivals Blackburn Rovers a match which ended 1–1.{{cite web |title=Burnley 1–1 Blackburn |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/20483944 |website=BBC Sport |access-date=26 August 2019 |date=2 December 2012}} Despite this goal, Vokes struggled to establish himself in the first eleven and was used predominantly as a substitute.{{cite news |title=Sam Vokes says Burnley can mount promotion challenge |work=BBC Sport |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/21163568 |access-date=26 August 2019}} This was mainly down to the form of top scorer Charlie Austin, with manager Sean Dyche often opting to partner Austin with fellow strikers Martin Paterson or Danny Ings, both being quicker and more mobile than Vokes.{{cite web|url=https://www.expressandstar.com/sport/wolverhampton-wanderers-fc/2012/07/31/wolves-reject-10m-bid-for-fletcher/ |title=Wolves reject £10m bid for Fletcher " Express & Star |website=Express & Star |date=31 July 2012 |access-date=27 January 2016}}

On the eve of the 2013–14 Championship season, Burnley agreed a deal with Queens Park Rangers for the transfer of Charlie Austin, who had attracted much attention from Premier League teams throughout the summer.{{ Cite news |title=Charlie Austin: QPR sign Burnley striker for undisclosed fee| url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/23533841 |publisher=BBC Sport}} With Austin moving out of the club, this gave Vokes his long-awaited chance in the starting eleven, and he formed a striking partnership with Danny Ings and he finished the season with 21 goals in 44 matches helping the Clarets finished 2nd, gaining promotion to the Premier League.{{cite news |title=Burnley: Danny Ings says Championship form not lucky |work=BBC Sport |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/24716709 |access-date=26 August 2019}} He missed the run in after he ruptured his anterior cruciate ligament which kept him out until December 2014.{{cite news |title=Sam Vokes: Burnley striker ruptures anterior cruciate ligament |work=BBC Sport |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/26820057 |access-date=26 August 2019}} He marked his return from injury with a goal against Tottenham Hotspur in the FA Cup.{{cite news |title=Burnley 1–1 Tottenham |work=BBC Sport |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/30620968 |access-date=26 August 2019}} Vokes played 15 league matches in 2014–15 as Burnley suffered relegation back to the Championship.

On 8 August 2015, on the opening day of the 2015–16 Championship season, Vokes scored his first league goal since returning from a knee injury for Burnley against former club Leeds United in a 1–1 draw.{{cite news|publisher= Leeds United Official site | date= 8 August 2015 | access-date= 8 August 2015 | title= United in opening day draw | url=http://www.leedsunited.com/news/article/tur6eygqn5lg1prmxswgkfmmd/title/united-in-opening-day-draw}} Vokes signed a new three-and-a-half-year contract with Burnley in January 2016.{{cite news |title=Sam Vokes: Burnley striker signs three-and-a-half-year deal |work=BBC Sport |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/35377253 |access-date=26 August 2019}} He scored 16 goals in 46 appearances as Burnley returned to the Premier League as Championship title winners.{{cite news |title=Charlton 0–3 Burnley |work=BBC Sport |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/36176219 |access-date=26 August 2019}}

Vokes scored his first Premier League goal on 20 August 2016 at Turf Moor in a 2–0 win against Liverpool.{{cite news |title=Burnley 2–0 Liverpool |work=BBC Sport |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/37067882 |access-date=26 August 2019}} Vokes scored 12 goals in 36 games in 2016–17 helping the team avoid relegation, finishing in 16th. Vokes scored twice in a 3–2 win away at champions Chelsea on the opening day of the 2017–18 season.{{cite news |title=Chelsea 2–3 Burnley |work=BBC Sport |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/40835426 |access-date=24 August 2019}} He made 32 appearances as Burnley had a successful campaign finishing in 7th, qualifying for the UEFA Europa League. In the 2018–19 season, Vokes scored the club's first European goal in over half a century from close range for an equaliser away to Aberdeen.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/44938522|title=Aberdeen 1–1 Burnley|publisher = BBC Sport|date=26 July 2018|access-date=10 August 2018}} Burnley went out to Greek side Olympiacos in the play-off round.{{cite news |title=Burnley 1–1 Olympiacos |work=BBC Sport |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/45350947 |access-date=26 August 2019}} In October 2018 Vokes signed new contract at Turf Moor keeping him contract until 2021.{{cite news |title=Sam Vokes: Burnley striker signs new deal at Turf Moor until 2021 |work=BBC Sport |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/45988235 |access-date=26 August 2019}} However, in January 2019 manager Sean Dyche said he would allow Vokes to leave in the club in the January transfer window.{{cite news |title=Sean Dyche on the decision to sell Burnley striker Sam Vokes |url=https://www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk/sport/football/burnley_fc/news/17400472.sean-dyche-on-the-decision-to-sell-burnley-striker-sam-vokes/ |website=Lancashire Telegraph |date=31 January 2019 |access-date=26 August 2019}}

=Stoke City=

Vokes joined Stoke City on 31 January 2019 on a three-and-a-half-year contract for an undisclosed fee.{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/47070349 |title=Peter Crouch: Stoke City striker signs for Burnley with Sam Vokes moving to Potters |publisher=BBC Sport |date=31 January 2019 |access-date=31 January 2019}} He made his debut two days later against Hull City, and missed a penalty in a 2–0 defeat.{{cite news |title=Hull 2–0 Stoke |work=BBC Sport |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/47010989 |access-date=6 February 2019}} Vokes scored his first goal for Stoke on 23 February in a 1–1 draw with Aston Villa.{{cite news |title=Stoke 1–1 Aston Villa |work=BBC Sport |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/47261937 |access-date=24 February 2019}} Vokes ended the 2018–19 season with three goals from 12 appearances. Stoke made a poor start to the 2019–20 season failing to win any of the first ten matches under Nathan Jones.{{cite web |title=A strong dressing room will pull us through says Stoke City striker |url=https://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/stoke-city-sam-vokes-jones-3325298 |website=Stoke Sentinel |date=17 September 2019 |access-date=25 July 2020}} Vokes scored in all three rounds of the EFL Cup in August and September but didn't score in the league until December.{{cite web |title=Final word on the day Stoke City wobbled like Andy Ruiz's stomach when they needed some Joshua muscle |url=https://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/stoke-hull-match-comment-oneill-3620475 |website=Stoke Sentinel |date=8 December 2019 |access-date=25 July 2020}} He scored a dramatic 97th-minute winner against Sheffield Wednesday on boxing day which lifted the team off the bottom of the table.{{cite news |title=Stoke 3–2 Sheffield Wednesday |work=BBC Sport |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/50846967 |access-date=25 July 2020}} The season extended into June due to the COVID-19 pandemic and Vokes played in all the remaining matches and scored against relegation rivals Barnsley on 4 July 2020.{{cite news |title=Stoke City 4–0 Barnsley |work=BBC Sport |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/52072739 |access-date=25 July 2020}} He ended the campaign with eight goals from 40 appearances as Stoke avoided relegation and finished in 15th position.{{cite news |title=Nottingham Forest 1–4 Stoke City |work=BBC Sport |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/53412704 |access-date=23 July 2020}}

In the 2020–21 season, Vokes was used mainly as a substitute by Michael O'Neill, starting only five of his 30 league appearances as Stoke finished in mid-table.{{cite web |title=Powell a star, Vokes struggles, Bursik promise, Souttar shines – Stoke City player ratings for season so far |url=https://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/stoke-city-player-ratings-powell-5222131 |website=Stoke Sentinel |date=24 March 2021 |access-date=13 May 2021}} His only goal during the campaign came in a 1–0 EFL Cup win away at Aston Villa on 1 October 2020.{{cite news |title=Aston Villa 0–1 Stoke City |work=BBC Sport |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/54298221 |access-date=13 May 2021}}

=Wycombe Wanderers=

Vokes joined Wycombe Wanderers on 28 July 2021 for an undisclosed fee.{{cite web |title=Sam completes Wycombe switch |url=https://www.stokecityfc.com/news/2021/july/Sam-completes-Wycombe-switch/ |website=Stoke City |date=28 July 2021 |access-date=28 July 2021}} On 16 May 2022, ahead of the play-off final, Vokes signed a new one-year contract with the club.{{cite web|url=https://www.wwfc.com/news/2022/may/16/sam-vokes-commits-future-to-wycombe-wanderers/|title=Sam Vokes commits future to Wycombe Wanderers|website=www.wwfc.com|date=16 May 2022|accessdate=16 May 2022}} On 24 April 2023 he said he had signed a new contract.{{Cite news |title='Frustrated' Vokes agrees new Wycombe contract |language=en-GB |work=BBC Sport |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/65372094 |access-date=2023-04-27}}

On 20 May 2025, the club announced he would be leaving in June when his contract expired.{{Cite web |date=2025-05-20 |title=Wycombe Wanderers offer Joe Low new deal as Sam Vokes departs |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/articles/cy755k01l3do |access-date=2025-05-20 |website=BBC Sport |language=en-GB}}

International career

File:Sam Vokes 2008.jpg in 2008]]

Born and brought up in England, Vokes is eligible to represent Wales through a grandfather born in Colwyn Bay.{{cite news |last1=Wathan |first1=Chris |title=How these nine English-born footballers came to be Wales' Euro 2016 heroes |url=https://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/how-nine-english-born-footballers-11468681 |access-date=27 July 2018 |publisher=Wales Online |date=14 June 2016}} He did not know he was eligible for Wales until manager Brian Flynn called him up to the Welsh under-21 team, and he made his debut against Northern Ireland 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.{{cite news|title=Sam impresses all with superb debut|url=http://www.dorsetecho.co.uk/archive/2007/02/07/Top+Sport+%28be_topsport%29/1174880.Sam_impresses_all_with_superb_debut/|work=Dorset Echo|date=7 February 2007}} 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 over Iceland on 28 May 2008, coming on as a substitute for Freddy Eastwood early into the second half.{{cite news |last1=Shuttleworth |first1=Peter |title=Iceland 0–1 Wales |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/league_of_wales/7415117.stm |access-date=27 July 2018 |publisher=BBC Sport |date=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, striking seven minutes before the end at the Millennium Stadium.{{cite news |last1=Shuttleworth |first1=Peter |title=Wales 1–0 Azerbaijan |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/internationals/7590218.stm |access-date=27 July 2018 |publisher=BBC Sport |date=6 September 2008}}

In May 2016, Vokes was listed for the 29-man squad for a pre-Euro 2016 training camp,{{cite news|title=Gareth Bale left out of Wales' Euro 2016 training squad because of Champions League commitments|url=http://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/gareth-bale-left-out-wales-11307513|publisher=Wales Online|date=9 May 2016|access-date=30 December 2016}} and was retained for the tournament final squad.{{cite news|title=Euro 2016: Huddersfield Town transfer target makes Wales squad but Emyr Huws cut|url=http://www.examiner.co.uk/sport/football/news/euro-2016-huddersfield-town-transfer-11408209|publisher=The Huddersfield Examiner|date=31 May 2016|access-date=30 December 2016}} On 1 July, he came on as a substitute and scored for Wales in a 3–1 win over Belgium at the finals, sealing the victory to take Wales to their first ever semi-final appearance at a major tournament.{{cite news |title=Brilliant Wales stun Belgium to reach Euro 2016 semi-final |url=https://www.rte.ie/sport/euro-2016/2016/0701/799648-wales-stun-belgium-to-reach-euro-2016-semi-final/ |website=RTÉ Sport |publisher=Raidió Teilifís Éireann |date=1 July 2016 |access-date=1 July 2016}}

At the 2018 China Cup, where Wales finished as runners-up, Vokes scored twice in a 6–0 win over the hosts in the semi-finals on 22 March.{{cite news |last1=Pritchard |first1=Dafydd |title=China PR 0–6 Wales |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/43465791 |access-date=27 July 2018 |publisher=BBC Sport |date=22 March 2018}}

Career statistics

=Club=

{{updated|match played on 3 May 2025}}

class=wikitable style=text-align:center

|+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competition

rowspan=2|Club

!rowspan=2|Season

!colspan=3|League

!colspan=2|FA Cup

!colspan=2|League Cup

!colspan=2|Other

!colspan=2|Total

Division||Apps||Goals||Apps||Goals||Apps||Goals||Apps||Goals||Apps||Goals
rowspan=3|AFC Bournemouth

|2006–07{{Soccerbase season|45720|2006|accessdate=11 February 2018}}

|League One

|13

4100000144
2007–08{{Soccerbase season|45720|2007|accessdate=11 February 2018}}

|League One

|41

1210102Appearances in Football League Trophy04512
colspan=2|Total

!54||16||2||0||1||0||2||0||59||16

rowspan=5|Wolverhampton Wanderers

|2008–09{{Soccerbase season|45720|2008|accessdate=11 February 2018}}

|Championship

|36

62210colspan=2|—398
2009–10{{Soccerbase season|45720|2009|accessdate=11 February 2018}}

|Premier League

|5

03010colspan=2|—90
2010–11{{Soccerbase season|45720|2010|accessdate=29 May 2018}}

|Premier League

|2

02000colspan=2|—40
2011–12

|Premier League

|4

00031colspan=2|—71
colspan=2|Total

!47||6||7||2||5||1||colspan=2|—||59||9

Leeds United (loan)

|2009–10

|League One

|8

1000020101
Bristol City (loan)

|2010–11

|Championship

|1

00000colspan=2|—10
Sheffield United (loan)

|2010–11

|Championship

|6

10000colspan=2|—61
|Norwich City (loan)

|2010–11

|Championship

|4

10000colspan=2|—41
Burnley (loan)

|2011–12

|Championship

|9

20000colspan=2|—92
Brighton & Hove Albion (loan)

|2011–12{{Soccerbase season|45720|2011|accessdate=11 February 2018}}

|Championship

|14

31000colspan=2|—153
rowspan=8|Burnley

|2012–13{{Soccerbase season|45720|2012|accessdate=11 February 2018}}{{Soccerbase season|45720|2017|accessdate=11 February 2018}}

|Championship

|46

41020colspan=2|—494
2013–14{{Soccerbase season|45720|2013|accessdate=11 February 2018}}

|Championship

|39

201140colspan=2|—4421
2014–15{{Soccerbase season|45720|2014|accessdate=11 February 2018}}

|Premier League

|15

02100colspan=2|—171
2015–16{{Soccerbase season|45720|2015|accessdate=8 August 2015}}

|Championship

|43

152110colspan=2|—4616
2016–17{{Soccerbase season|45720|2016|accessdate=7 September 2015}}

|Premier League

|37

104210colspan=2|—4212
2017–18{{Soccerbase season|45720|2017|accessdate=11 February 2018}}

|Premier League

|30

41010colspan=2|—324
2018–19{{Soccerbase season|45720|2018|accessdate=27 July 2018}}

|Premier League

|20

310106{{efn|Appearances in UEFA Europa League}}1284
colspan=2|Total

!230

561251006125862
rowspan=4|Stoke City

|2018–19

|Championship

|12

30000colspan=2|—123
2019–20{{Soccerbase season|45720|2019|accessdate=3 August 2019}}

|Championship

|36

51033colspan=2|—408
2020–21{{Soccerbase season|45720|2020}}

|Championship

|30

01031colspan=2|—341
colspan=2|Total

!78

82064colspan=2|—||8612
rowspan=5|Wycombe Wanderers

|2021–22{{Soccerbase season|45720|2021}}

|League One

|43

1620203{{efn|Appearances in League One play-offs}}15017
2022–23{{Soccerbase season|45720|2022}}

|League One

|35

610001{{efn|name=EFLT|Appearances in EFL Trophy}}0376
2023–24{{Soccerbase season|45720|2023}}

|League One

|40

400206{{efn|name=EFLT}}1485
2024–25{{Soccerbase season|45720|2024}}

|League One

|7

200101{{efn|name=EFLT}}092
colspan=2|Total

!125

28305011214430
colspan=3|Career total

!576

122277275212651136

{{notelist}}

=International=

{{updated|match played 9 September 2019}}{{NFT player|id=26185|name=Vokes, Sam|accessdate=19 June 2014}}

class=wikitable style="text-align: center;"

|+ Appearances and goals by national team and year

National team||YearAppsGoals
rowspan=12|Wales

|2008

61
200981
201020
201132
201250
201361
201411
201560
2016112
201780
201853
201930
colspan=2|Total6411

:As of match played 11 October 2018. Wales score listed first, score column indicates score after each Vokes goal.

class="wikitable plainrowheaders sortable"

|+ International goals by date, venue, cap, opponent, score, result and competition

scope=col|No.

!scope=col data-sort-type=date|Date

!scope=col|Venue

!scope=col|Cap

!scope=col|Opponent

!scope=col|Score

!scope=col|Result

!scope=col|Competition

!scope=col class=unsortable|{{abbr|Ref|Reference}}

scope=row|1

|6 September 2008||Millennium Stadium, Cardiff, Wales||align=center|3||{{fb|Azerbaijan}}||align=center|1–0||align=center|1–0||2010 FIFA World Cup qualification||{{cite news |title=Wales 1–0 Azerbaijan |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/internationals/7590218.stm |publisher=BBC Sport |date=6 September 2008 |access-date=2 March 2016}}

scope=row|2

|12 August 2009||Podgorica City Stadium, Podgorica, Montenegro||align=center|11||{{fb|Montenegro}}||align=center|1–2||align=center|1–2||rowspan=5|Friendly||{{cite news |title=Montenegro 2–1 Wales |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/internationals/7590218.stm |publisher=BBC Sport |date=12 August 2009 |access-date=2 March 2016}}

scope=row|3

|rowspan=2|12 November 2011||rowspan=2|Cardiff City Stadium, Cardiff, Wales||rowspan=2 align=center|19||rowspan=2|{{fb|Norway}}||align=center|3–1||rowspan=2 align=center|4–1||rowspan=2|{{cite news |title=International friendly: Wales 4–1 Norway |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/15589976 |publisher=BBC Sport |date=12 November 2011 |access-date=2 March 2016}}

scope=row|4

|align=center|4–1

scope=row|5

|6 February 2013||Liberty Stadium, Swansea, Wales||align=center|25||{{fb|Austria}}||align=center|2–0||align=center|2–1||{{cite news |title=BBC Wales Sport at the Liberty Stadium |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/21325912 |publisher=BBC Sport |date=6 February 2013 |access-date=2 March 2016}}

scope=row|6

|5 March 2014||Cardiff City Stadium, Cardiff, Wales||align=center|31||{{fb|Iceland}}||align=center|2–1||align=center|3–1||{{cite news |title=Wales 3–1 Iceland |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/26348965 |publisher=BBC Sport |date=5 March 2014 |access-date=2 March 2016}}

scope=row|7

|1 July 2016||Stade Pierre-Mauroy, Villeneuve-d'Ascq, France||align=center|43||{{fb|Belgium}}||align=center|3–1||align=center|3–1||UEFA Euro 2016||

scope=row|8

|5 September 2016||Cardiff City Stadium, Cardiff, Wales||align=center|45||{{fb|Moldova}}||align=center|1–0||align=center|4–0||2018 FIFA World Cup qualification||{{cite news |first=Stuart |last=James |title=Gareth Bale-inspired Wales lead Moldova a merry dance |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2016/sep/05/wales-moldova-world-cup-2018-qualifier-match-report |website=The Guardian |date=5 September 2016 |access-date=5 September 2016}}

scope=row|9

| rowspan="2" |22 March 2018

| rowspan="2" |Guangxi Sports Center, Nanning, China

| rowspan="2" align=center| 57

| rowspan="2" |{{Fb|China}}

|align=center|3–0

| rowspan="2" align=center|6–0

| rowspan="2" |2018 China Cup

| rowspan="2" |{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/43465791|title=China PR v Wales|date=21 March 2018|work=BBC Sport|access-date=22 March 2018|language=en-GB}}

scope=row|10

|align=center|4–0

scope=row|11

|11 October 2018||Millennium Stadium, Cardiff, Wales||align=center|60||{{fb|Spain}}||align=center|1–4||align=center|1–4||Friendly||{{cite news |first=Stuart |last=James |title=Wales 1–4 Spain |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/45173581 |website=BBC Sport |date=11 October 2018 |access-date=11 October 2018}}

Honours

Wolverhampton Wanderers

  • Football League Championship: 2008–09{{cite book |editor1-first=Glenda |editor1-last=Rollin |editor2-first=Jack |editor2-last=Rollin |title=Sky Sports Football Yearbook 2009–2010 |year=2009 |publisher=Headline Publishing Group |location=London |isbn=978-0-7553-1948-0 |pages=44, 416–417}}

Burnley

  • Football League Championship: 2015–16;{{cite book |editor-first=John |editor-last=Anderson |title=Sky Sports Football Yearbook 2016–2017 |year=2016 |publisher=Headline Publishing Group |location=London |isbn=978-1-4722-3395-0 |pages=94–95}} runner-up: 2013–14{{cite book |editor-first=John |editor-last=Anderson |title=Sky Sports Football Yearbook 2014–2015 |year=2014 |publisher=Headline Publishing Group |location=London |isbn=978-1-4722-1251-1 |pages=90–91}}

Wycombe Wanderers

  • EFL Trophy runner-up: 2023–24{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/68755583 |title=Peterborough United 2–1 Wycombe Wanderers |first=Chris |last=Harby |website=BBC Sport |date=7 April 2024 |access-date=7 April 2024}}

References

{{reflist}}