Kieffer’s far from out of his depth after debut to savour
FROM watching people swim to netting his first international goal for Wales, Kieffer Moore’s rise to the top has been remarkably different to most.
The striker was plying his trade in non-league football with Truro City and Dorchester Town at a time when he also held roles as a lifeguard and a personal trainer.
And having been the man on red alert to sniff out danger in the swimming pool, Moore was handed a lifeline of his own when he made the move to then newlypromoted Yeovil Town in 2013.
”I didn’t save any lives when I was a lifeguard, it was mainly sitting on a chair watching people swim,” said the forward.
“I’ve had some journey to get to this point, but I’m very grateful for that journey and I believe it has helped me get to the point I’m at now.”
After two years at Huish Park, Moore had stints with Forest Green Rovers and Norwegian outfit Viking FK.
But it was a brief spell with hometown club Torquay United in 2016 that helped the forward gain the chance to test himself at Ipswich Town, with Moore joining the Tractor Boys after netting five goals in four games in his short loan period with the Gulls.
“I wouldn’t say there was a point when I didn’t think I would make it here, it was just when,” added Moore, who watched Wales’ Euro 2016 on television while on holiday in America.
“It’s been very up and down, but the trajectory of my career is now on the up. I’m fighting fit and I’ll keep going.”
After failing to net a single goal for Ipswich, Moore joined Rotherham United on loan for the duration of the 2017/18 campaign.
And it was with the Millers where the frontman’s career ignited.
Moore - a former England C international - netted 13 times in 25 appearances for the Millers, a goal scoring run that attracted the attention of Ryan Giggs who was named as Chris Coleman’s successor midway through the domestic season.
“I think it was during the end of my Rotherham stint when Ryan started taking an interest,” Moore added.
“As soon as I joined Barnsley, we were trying to get the documents from my grandad to become eligible.
“At that point we were speaking and they were coming to the games to watch me and I just had to perform.”
And perform he did. Having hit a purple patch with Rotherham, Moore went on to strike 23 times in 55 appearances in his two seasons at Barnsley before securing a move to Wigan Athletic. As a result of his club form, Moore – despite a lengthy injury lay-off during his time at Oakwell – earned his first Wales call-up in the summer for the Euro 2020 qualifiers with Croatia and Hungary.
Such was his rotten luck, the towering forward was forced to withdraw through injury.
But his chance finally came against Belarus, with Wales securing a narrow 1-0 in the friendly encounter at Cardiff City Stadium.
And he was surprisingly chosen to lead the line for the first time in a competitive fixture for his country against Slovakia on Thursday night, scoring his first international goal as Wales earned a draw that keeps them firmly in the hunt for a top two spot in Group E.
“There is no better feeling than seeing the ball hit the back of the net,” he said.
“To be given my competitive debut and to mark it with a goal is an amazing feeling. I’m grateful for the opportunity the gaffer has given me.
“As soon as I saw the ball from Dan (James) go up in the air, I knew it was a goal.”
Moore was left battered and bruised as a result of his efforts in Trnava, although he was more than happy to deliver the goods after being tasked with bullying the Slovakian defence.
“The start gave me belief. Heading the ball is a huge part of my game and I’ll battle for the team, I will always give my all for the team,” said Moore.
“He (Giggs) just said ‘be a nuisance’ and told me to try and hold the ball up, win everything and give the defence a hard time. I believe I did that and I’m very thankful for the opportunity.
“I’ll always bleed for the cause. I’ve got my head glued, it should be alright. I’m confident I can recover in time for Sunday, I was knocked about, but I’m a strong lad and I’ll recover quick.
“I don’t believe I am a traditional target man.
“I’d like to think I’m very mobile and I can run the channels when needed, I can finish too. I can do the target man role too, I can head the ball and hold it up.”
So, having reached the big time, and impressing in doing so at the Anton Malatinsky Stadium, what next for the striker?
“The challenge is to take it forward,” he said.
“Like I showed out there, I will do everything for the cause and I believe I can do that week-in, week-out if called upon.
“I believe I have not got to this point just by luck. I’m a very hard worker and I’ve given my all to get to this point in my career.
“Sometimes you have a look around and you see these players and think ‘wow,’ but at the end of the day it’s a football match and it’s 11 versus 11.”