Gifted defender Tom Vaudin was already well-known and respected within the Priaulx League, but since stepping up to play for the Green Lions this season, he has already garnered a substantial amount of praise and plaudits from the Guernsey FC faithful.
We spoke with him recently about his GFC journey so far…
Looking back on the games I’ve played so far, one already stands out as a highlight for me, and I think it still will at the end of the season! It’s the one where I was starting centre-back with Doddsy, and we got that last minute goal. I was absolutely delighted after that game. If you remember, Jacob and Jamie weren’t there, and yet I thought everybody did so well, and for Ross to clutch it like that at the end for us, it was just a brilliant match.
Now I’ve been involved for a few months, in terms of training and gameplay, I’ve really noticed the differences at this level. It’s certainly a step up: the physicality, the speed of the football, the ability of the players – everything is just that standard above, and it’s just making sure I’m mentally and physically ready and prepared to play and do my bit for the team. I want to get all the minutes I can on the pitch and ensure I do my best.
Looking ahead now we’ve got some tough games coming up. I think things haven’t gone our way so far this season, but we’re definitely a team that can compete when we have a full deck of cards.
Personally, my targets for the rest of the season are just to get as many minutes on the pitch as I can and help the boys in any way I’m able to. The more I can get in the starting 11, the better. I am trying to be the best player I can be.
I’ve played in several positions already this season. In the past I’ve always been a centre back, that’s where I love to play. I’ve really enjoyed playing centre midfield too though, getting on the ball and being able to experiment, running with it and defending in those positions that you don’t normally get the opportunity to as centre back. I played right and left back too. I’m right footed so I certainly prefer playing on the right hand side, but to be honest with you, I’ve really enjoyed everywhere I’ve played. If I had to choose though, I think centre back is still the favourite for me.
I was away when Faz scored his fantastic goal earlier this season, otherwise I would have been right up there celebrating! It’s so unfortunate that he’s picked up an injury now; it has been a big blow to the squad. Faz is so good at what he does: he holds up the ball and he’s so dominant in the air. But you know we’ve got good players in the squad, players like Muzza [Sam Murray] who can do that job, and it’s up to them to step up and replicate all the great work Faz does. I watched the goal back as well, several times; it was amazing.
Watching what Faz did, the way he got on the ball, drove forward, got his head up, and looked for the goal – it’s something that I definitely could learn from, and something I hope I can bring to my own game, especially if I’m playing centre mid again this season! Hopefully Faz’s rehab goes well and he is back amongst the lads very soon. It will be a massive boost us for us to have him back.
If we look at other players that have made the step up this season, we’ve got Danny Hale and Sam Murray, to mention two. I’ve played against Danny in the Priaulx for a couple of seasons and I’ve played alongside Muz for North. I know they’re exceptional players and I think they’re just going to get stronger and stronger playing for GFC and we’re going to see, from those two especially, more and more goals. Having Muz back after his recent injury will make a big difference.
