“You could say it has been the perfect start,” Tom Bloxham beamed while reflecting on his first months at Rovers.

Bloxham didn’t think he would get opportunities in the first-team picture so soon but certainly made the most of his cameo off the bench against Harrogate.

The young forward arrived at Ewood Park over the summer, ending a 12-year association with Tottenham Hotspur.

He replaced Sam Gallagher for the final half hour at the EnviroVent Stadium and managed to get on the scoresheet with a composed finish past Mark Oxley.

Bloxham also featured in pre-season and is determined to kick on after getting a taste of first-team football.

“I only joined from Spurs two or three months ago and I wasn’t involved straight away with the first team,” the 19-year-old told RoversTV.

“I had to earn it. I got my chance in pre-season and scored against Barnsley, that was a big step. Since then, I have just been trying to show the gaffer what I can do.”

When asked if he had expected to get game time at this early stage of his Rovers career, he replied: “No, not at all.

“You see all the players – Adam Wharton, Harry Leonard – doing so well. It gives you that hope that you can do it as well.

“Coming from a big club like Spurs, the opportunities are not always there and you don’t see many players progressing. The coaches and staff have shown such a belief in me as a player and a person.”

Lancashire Telegraph: Bloxham celebrates his first senior goal

Bloxham was also named on the bench against Watford and got his first tase of Championship football at Plymouth last weekend.

“I was just waiting around to see if I was in the squad or not,” the forward recalled. “We had a fast start and at 2-0 I am touching Eddo (James Edmondson) saying, ‘Maybe we can get on now’.

“15 minutes into the second half, the gaffer sent me on a run and I finally got on. I was pretty calm about it, I don’t usually get nervous for games. When I came on, I wanted to get on the ball.

“I came on at a good time and there was a good turnout from the Rovers fans as well, so I appreciate that. I wanted to show them what I can do and hopefully I did that.”

The youngster hopes his goal is the first of many to come in blue and white halves, although he admits his celebration might need a bit of work.

“Before I came on, Sammie (Szmodics) said to me, ‘When you score, come to me’. I knew I was going to score when I came on,” the attacker stated.

“I was looking for Sammie and he wasn’t on the bench, he wasn’t warming up. I couldn’t see him so I just embraced the moment, to be honest.

“It was a good finish, I don’t think you can put the feeling into words. Hopefully, it is the first of many goals that I score for Rovers.”

He added: “(My family) try to come to every game. It isn’t easy because they live down South, I think it took them four-and-a-half-hours.

“I appreciate that so much, for them to be there. To score a goal in front of them, it was a great moment.”

Joining a new club isn’t easy for any young player, especially when it involves moving to a different area of the country.

But Bloxham has relished the experience and believes his time spent in Spurs’ youth ranks will serve him in good stead.

“It has been a long journey and (the goal) was quite a huge milestone,” he said. “I started at Stevenage, Cambridge, the local clubs.

“I joined Spurs at seven and since then, I had come up through the Academy up to the Under-18s. I decided to move on and I am here now. All I have known is Spurs!

“Especially with the younger age groups, it was all about building up that technical ability. I think that is what separates me from others. The work we did at Spurs from a young age really helps me today.”

The 19-year-old only has positive things to say about his time at Tottenham but reached a stage where he knew it was the right time to move on.

Bloxham impressed during a trial period at Rovers during the back end of last season, which opened up the possibility of a permanent move in the summer.

“During my scholarship, you see young players at other clubs making that step up at 16 or 17,” he explained.

“I told Spurs I wanted to leave and they encouraged me to go on work experience. They didn’t want to call it a trial but for me, I came in and tried to impress. I think I definitely did that.

“I know my abilities so I wanted to show people what I can do. You realise the opportunities are there and it is a great club, a historic club.

“I thank all the staff and coaches, especially Stuart Jones, for bringing me in and showing that belief in me.”

The forward initially linked up with Mike Sheron’s Under-21 squad before getting the chance to be around the first-team squad.

Bloxham says the morale in the dressing room made it an easy environment to come into and hopes he can continue to learn from those around him.

“Every day, I am just trying show the gaffer and the coaching staff that I deserve to be up here,” he continued.

“When I come up here, I try to show what I am capable of. The first team boys, they have been so good with me. I can’t thank them enough.

“I am hungry for more and I just want to keep playing as many games as possible and keep scoring goals.

“If it doesn’t come about, I will just keep working on myself and keep progressing, even if it is with the Under-21s. Hopefully, more opportunities come my way.”