VOKES COULDN’T ASK FOR MOOR

SAM VOKES did not feel part of things when he first arrived at Burnley – now he’s part of Turf Moor history.

The big striker’s double against West Brom has all but ensured Burnley’s top-flight survival for the first time since 1975.

It was a hugely satisfying moment for the Wales striker, who admits he felt he was just passing through when Eddie Howe signed him, initially on loan, in November 2011.

Burnley were fighting to avoid relegation to League One and the Clarets were Vokes’ fifth loan club in two years as he struggled to establish his career.

“Yeah, it’s been a great journey to be part of,” he said. “Coming here from Wolves, it just seemed like another loan club.

“But then when I signed permanently I could see how important the club was to the locals. To be part of two promotions and now surviving has been amazing.”

Vokes, 27, was at Turf Moor from day one of Sean Dyche’s revolution and says staying up will be his greatest moment at Burnley.

“I think this will top it all because of the magnitude of the Premier League and the teams involved,” he said. “The fans here talk about history a lot – it’s nice to be part of that history.”

It has also crowned 12 remarkable months for Vokes (celebrating, above right, with Matthew Lowton) after winning promotion last May and reaching the Euro 2016 semi-finals with Wales.

And it isn’t over yet, with Wales’ huge World Cup date with Serbia and his wedding coming up next month. “It’s going to be a big summer with hopefully staying up, Wales, and then getting married, but I won’t tell my missus where they all rank!” he said.

West Brom were set for their first win in seven weeks when Salomon Rondon cancelled out Vokes’ opener, ending their 530-minute goal drought, and Craig Dawson nodded them ahead on his 27th birthday.

Despite Vokes’ 86th-minute leveller, Albion star Gareth McAuley claimed the performance refuted suggestions that West Brom players were already on the beach following four successive defeats.

“That’s an easy one to throw at footballers sometimes and it does hurt,” said the centre-half.

“There’s been no let-up in training and now we’ve got three games left to try and get more points and finish the season positively.”