Experienced striker Sam Vokes is looking forward to putting a frustrating year behind him after signing for the Gills.
Vokes missed out on playing in Wycombe’s end-of-season play-off matches, after suffering a broken arm within 20 seconds of coming onto the field in their final game of the regular League 1 season.
He left the field in tears that day, knowing his season was over, missing out on their play-off semi-final clash against Charlton Athletic.
A calf injury before that meant the 35-year-old was limited to just nine appearances, seven of those in the league.
Vokes was released at the end of his contract after scoring 30 goals in 144 matches over four seasons.
“It was a frustrating season last year, playing wise” he admitted.
“I’m looking forward to getting back in the dressing room, getting used to some of the lads and getting back out on the grass.
“I suffered a nasty arm break, which was a really frustrating injury going into the summer.
“To get this (deal) done nice and early means I can get in with the physios and the sports science guys here.
“It’s important to build up my fitness in pre-season because, for me, especially, being right and ready to go in the first game is what it’s all about.”
Vokes spent the best part of four seasons playing at Wycombe under Gills boss Gareth Ainsworth and that was a big part of him wanting to come to Priestfield.
He said: “That’s a huge incentive and I’m looking forward to cracking on.
“I spoke to the manager a few times over the summer. He was really keen to get it done and I was as well because we know each other well.
“He knows how I play, I know how his teams look and want to play and it’s front-foot football, it’s exciting football. It’s attacking, it’s getting crosses in the box and that’s where I want to be. So for me, it’s a huge incentive.
“We’re a team that are looking to achieve something this year. Gareth made that clear to me when he spoke to me on the phone and that’s what I want to be part of.
“We’re looking at achieving something special.
“It’s going to be a tough league, we know that,” he admitted.
“I’ve got some good memories (of playing at Priestfield) but Gillingham fans might not like it. I scored my first ever professional goal here for Bournemouth. It’s a good memory for me. It holds a special place for me.”
It’s not just the management who Vokes knows well – he’s now in the same team as Jonny Williams, a player who he played alongside for many years with Wales.
He said: “Jonny Williams is a good mate of mine, I played with him for Wales for ten years or so.
“When the interest came in, he was the first person I picked the phone up to and he was obviously raving about the club and the lads and the culture here.
“For me, that’s huge, to get a player’s perspective on it and Jonny’s a good guy as well.
“I’m looking forward to getting back playing alongside him.”
