HE IS the Welsh footballer who has shot to European fame with his glorious giant killing goal in his country’s most famous victory.

But Sam Vokes has always been a hero in the eyes of children and teachers at a Hampshire school.

Now excited youngsters at his former New Forest school are preparing cheer on their inspirational alumnus as he gears up for his nation’s biggest ever game.

Sam, a former Priestlands School pupil, is preparing to take to the pitch tomorrow (Wednesday) [July 5] for Wales’ Euro 2016 semi-final crunch match against Portugal.

It comes just days after he shot himself to world stardom after he dramatically sealed his country’s famous victory over Belgium with a spectacular headed goal.

The 26-year-old striker’s 85th minute goal was the final twist to a remarkable fightback in a historic 3-1 victory against a Belgium team tipped as among the tournament’s favourites.

But the Burnley striker is already a big name at Priestlands where youngsters have been keenly following his progress – inspired by a signed shirt of his hanging in their school library Sam, born in Lymington and raised a Saints fan – with father Tim taking him to watch Saints at the Dell when he was just three-years-old.

He was rejected by Saints as a youngster but built a career at Bournemouth.

He went on to move to Wolves, for whom he scored against his boyhood club at Molineux in 2009 as Saints were relegated to League One, before switching to Burnley in 2012.

He is the latest graduate of the Priestlands production line, the Lymington-based school whose old boys include Paul Rideout, Russell Perrett, Sam Vokes and Josh McQuoid.

Meanwhile world-record winning sailor Ben Ainslie is the town’s foremost sporting heroes.

School head teacher Chris Willsher described Sam as “hardworking”, “modest” and “generous” and continued: “He was dedicated to his football and his studies and having a good sense of humour and a cheeky grin on his face. It’s clear that he had a particular talent and he was one of three in his year group who went on to have professional sporting careers.

He was popular with everyone and we were delighted he was called up to the Wales squad and even prouder by his stunning header. The school is buzzing, the kids are proud of him and we are rooting for him in the next match.”

As previously reported Sam’s dad Tim, who lives in Southampton, told the Echo how he “lost his voice” celebrating in the stadium after witnessing his son’s goal.

Tim, who has been travelling back and forth to see every Wales game, is set to drive to tomorrow’s match in the Stade des Lumières in Lyon with Sam’s mum Penny, brother Matthew and the player’s fiancee Madeline Westwood.

Lymington and Pennington deputy Mayor Cllr Anne Corbridge is also among townsfolk singing Sam’s praises, adding: “It’s fantastic that he helped Wales win. We wish them well for the semi final and it is great for Lymington and Pennington to have another hero.”