Football Firsts: Burnley striker Sam Vokes

First game you watched live?

I have always been a fan and the first time I went to watch them was against . I can’t remember who scored, but I know it was 3-3. I’ll always remember that scoreline because I was three at the time! I went with my dad, Tim, and we used to follow them throughout my childhood, home and away. We went to the final in 2003 and watched the Saints lose 1-0 to , but it was still a really good day out.

First hero?

Matt Le Tissier. Being a Southampton fan, he’s a legend of the club and he was at his best around the time I was born. He was an incredible player for us over the years.  I’ve never met him but I really want to – hopefully, it will happen one day.

First pair of boots?

They were black-and-white Adidas Copa Mundials, which I wore for a few years until all the jazzy colours started coming in. My parents must have bought them for me when I was about eight or nine as that’s when I started playing football. Now, I’m with Adidas. They’re called Adidas X, I think. The name seems to change all the time.

First kit?

I guess it would have been a Southampton kit, when I was about four or five, but I can’t remember exactly. It was probably a full kit and I always had Le Tissier on the back. I can be sure about that!

First professional game?

It was for against in 2006, the year I left school. We won 2-0 and I played about 70 minutes, so it was a pretty good debut. I remember feeling incredibly nervous beforehand, but it was a big game so it was a nice one to be involved in – and even nicer to win.

First professional goal?

That came just a couple of weeks later when we were playing away. I managed to take it around the goalkeeper and finish it, and it was such a good feeling. I didn’t have a clue what to do once I scored, so I think I just ran to the halfway line and got mobbed. But I was under-age at the time so I couldn’t properly celebrate after the match!

First red card?

I have never received a red card. I don’t think I’ve ever been close to one either. I’ve picked up a few yellow cards on the way, but never a red, and hopefully it stays that way.

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