Gillingham striker Sam Vokes will bring the curtain down on his 20-year career this weekend – fittingly at Priestfield.
Vokes, 36, has confirmed Saturday’s home clash for the Gills against Shrewsbury will be his final appearance in professional football.
It marks a full-circle moment for the veteran forward. As a teenager, Vokes scored his first senior goal while playing for Bournemouth – netting against the Gills at Priestfield in a 1-1 draw.
Now, nearly two decades on, Priestfield will host his farewell.
Vokes has made 35 appearances for Gillingham this season, scoring three times, and has remained an influential figure in the dressing room despite his limited goal return.
All three of his Gillingham goals have come away from Priestfield.
Gills boss Gareth Ainsworth paid tribute to the striker after he recently reached 750 career appearances, in the recent home game against Grimsby Town.
“Sam Vokes is one of the best professionals I’ve ever worked with,” said Ainsworth.
“It’s unsurprising the level he’s played at and the regard he has from fans – not just his own, but opposition supporters too.
“He’s been an absolute pleasure to work with. Seven hundred and fifty games is a hell of an achievement.
“I thought I’d done well getting to around 620! There’s nothing I could ever say that would be negative about Sam Vokes.”
Across a career spanning two decades, Vokes earned 64 caps for Wales, featuring in the nation’s memorable run to the semi-finals of Euro 2016.
In an emotional statement, he confirmed the timing felt right.
“It’s been 20 years since my debut and after 750 appearances, including 64 caps for Wales, this Saturday’s match at Gillingham will be my last,” he said. “I feel now is the right time to retire from a career I have absolutely loved.”
Vokes reflected on a journey that took him from watching Southampton at The Dell as a youngster to playing across all four divisions of English football, as well as representing clubs including Bournemouth, Wolves, Burnley, Stoke and Wycombe.
He played Premier League football at Burnley and scored a memorable goal for Wales in their Euro 2016 quarter-final win over Belgium.
He joined the Gills in the summer to be reunited with Ainsworth again, having played under him at Wycombe.
In his statement, he said: “I’d like to say a huge thank you to all those clubs for giving me the opportunity to play for their teams and to have experienced all that I have in the game, from the lows to the immense highs of promotions, and everything in between.
“I’d like to thank all the managers, coaches and staff members that I’ve had the pleasure of meeting and working with along the way. I like to think I’ve taken something from every single one of you.
“To all my teammates, you’ve made the greatest job in the world even more enjoyable! Once you’ve shared a dressing room with someone and the experiences that bring week in week out, you will always have a special bond, and I can truly say I’ve made friends for life.
“To have represented Wales 64 times over 12 years and to have experienced everything that comes with international football was a dream! Sharing the Welsh dressing room with all the amazing players, managers, coaches and staff members was a privilege.
“To have had the chance to go on the unbelievable journey with Wales, from some of the tough times we faced to reaching the heights of 2016 and also having the chance to play football all over the world representing Cymru, is something I’ll never forget!
“To all the football fans I’ve had the chance to play in front of…thank you.
“My first ever memories of football are as a fan in the stands supporting my team, and that has always driven me when representing the clubs I’ve played for; win, lose or draw, from scoring the goal to clinch Premier League promotion at Turf Moor, to scoring in front of the famous ‘red wall’ of Wales.
“If over my 20 years I have created one tiny lasting memory or celebration that you can remember, then I feel I’ve done my job.
“To all my family and friends, thank you for your support and being on this journey with me.
“Mum & dad, thank you! For many years, you ran me all round the country to training sessions most nights of the week, to matches in all kinds of weather and for ticking off all 92+ clubs, watching me at nearly every game I’ve ever played in. (Sorry, Dad, you’ll have to find something else to do on a Saturday afternoon now).
“Finally, to my amazing wife Maddy and my two girls. This whole journey wouldn’t have been possible without you and your support. You’ve been by my side from day one, moved all over the country with me at the drop of a hat and supported me the whole way.
“To look up in the stand and have you alongside our girls, cheering me on, is the greatest feeling ever! I now look forward to time together and our future, whatever that next step looks like.”
