Lewis Vaughan ready to kick on after loan success at Dumbarton

After two seasons of torment for Raith Rovers' Lewis Vaughan, the 21-year-old is hoping to kick on next season, wherever that may be.
Lewis Vaughan in action for Dumbarton. Pic: SNS/Rob CaseyLewis Vaughan in action for Dumbarton. Pic: SNS/Rob Casey
Lewis Vaughan in action for Dumbarton. Pic: SNS/Rob Casey

The highly rated youngster made headlines this season, starring for Dumbarton. His four goals helped the Sons to survival in the Ladbrokes Championship while his parent club floundered, resulting in demotion to the third tier through the play-offs.

Vaughan could only watch on as Rovers lost to Brechin City in the League 1 play-offs at the weekend. The Kirkcaldy side faltered in a penalty shoot-out after drawing 4-4 on aggregate over two legs.

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Yet, on a personal level he was just thankful of game time after injury robbed him of last season.

Lewis Vaughan celebrating finding the net against St Mirren. Pic: SNS/Roddy ScottLewis Vaughan celebrating finding the net against St Mirren. Pic: SNS/Roddy Scott
Lewis Vaughan celebrating finding the net against St Mirren. Pic: SNS/Roddy Scott

“When the season ended last week, personally I didn’t want it to end because I was hitting form; scoring goals and playing well,” he acknowledged.

“I do want to try and kick on now, make a name for myself and go as high in the game as I possibly can: whether that be the Scottish Premiership or down south. With all due respect to Raith Rovers and Dumbarton, I don’t want to be playing in this league for the rest of my life, I want to test myself as high as I can, if I get that opportunity.”

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Vaughan broke into the Raith first team under manager Grant Murray in 2012. But, in August of 2015, Vaughan picked up a nasty injury against Albion Rovers in the League Cup

Lewis Vaughan celebrating finding the net against St Mirren. Pic: SNS/Roddy ScottLewis Vaughan celebrating finding the net against St Mirren. Pic: SNS/Roddy Scott
Lewis Vaughan celebrating finding the net against St Mirren. Pic: SNS/Roddy Scott

“I done my cruciate ligament, which is basically a balancing act in the knee. It snapped - it was painful at the time, so I had to get an operation to get my ACL reconstructed” Vaughan explained.

“I got the operation down in Bradford last year, which Raith Rovers paid for which I am really appreciative of. It was one of the hardest times in my career, probably the hardest thing I had ever done to be honest.”

It wasn’t just physical pain that Vaughan suffered however. The mental aspect of his rehabilitation was hard-going for the youngster.

“At such a young age, it was gutting,” he admitted. “When the physio told me what it was, I didn’t even know I had that in my knee! It was very hard, going to the gym myself, everyday, and at 20-years old it was one of the hardest things I’ve done in my life, mentally and physically.”

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After nearly a year on the sidelines, Vaughan regained full fitness and felt it was a fresh start for him under new manager Gary Locke, this season.

He said: “When a new manager comes in, you want to go back to pre-season as fit as you can and obviously I hadn’t played for the Raith first team in over a year. I went and played every game in pre-season and the first twelve competitive games too. At the start it felt brilliant but in the end I think it took it’s toll on me.”

A thigh strain interrupted Vaughan’s return to action and after a short time on the sidelines, Vaughan found himself on the bench.

“I was patient, trying to get back into the team” he said. “But it never worked out. I’m not the type of guy who is happy sitting taking money but not playing, I just want to be playing games. I wanted to go out on loan and I think I was clearly stating that.”

However, what transpired saw Vaughan’s Stark’s Park nightmare turn into a horror film as he was placed on loan to league rivals Dumbarton. With Vaughan scoring the all important goal at Tannadice which secured the Sons a vital point to keep them up, it left Vaughan’s parent club – and his team-mates – to face the play-offs.

“The situation with Raith and Dumbarton wasn’t ideal for any player. For a young boy to go out and experience that, it isn’t great, but I am a professional footballer at the end of the day and I needed to do my job for Dumbarton, no matter who it affects.”