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The next Jamie Vardy has just arrived in the EFL after an incredible two seasons in the depths of non-league, he will no doubt eventually be in the Championship.
The non-league scene in English football is often the home of many prolific goal scorers who eventually go on to ply their trade in the professional game.
When someone scores an obscene amount of goals, there are often scouts from EFL sides willing to take a chance on players, just like Fleetwood Town did with Jamie Vardy back in 2011.
Vardy found himself at Halifax Town and Sheffield-based Stocksbridge Park Steels before that, where he ended up following his release from Sheffield Wednesday’s youth set-up.
Fast forward 14 years, and the next Vardy may have been found, and this player arrives with a mind-boggling record in the lower tiers.
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Swindon Town sign the next Jamie Vardy with obscene goal record
After two seasons at Amersham Town, striker Jake Tabor grabbed the attention of many after he scored an incredible 127 goals across both campaigns. Tabor shone in the Combined Counties Football league (the 9th tier), which has led to League Two side Swindon Town taking a chance on the forward.
The last two campaigns saw Tabor spectacularly finish as the top scorer in the country, leading to his first professional contract.
Tabor will be under the stewardship of Swindon boss and former Premier League coach Ian Holloway, with the striker suggesting that it is a ‘special’ feeling to have the ex-Blackpool man as his boss, per BBC.
Jake Tabor expects goalscoring brilliance to continue
Speaking to Swindon Town’s YouTube, Tabor has shown that he is confident that he can continue to perform at this high level, despite it set to be a ‘tough’ jump up.
“I was just playing men’s football week in, week out on poor pitches and in different types of football,” said Tabor.
“It is a tough level, and it has gotten me used to playing men’s football every week and getting that practice.
“I have been in lots of different teams and changing rooms, and I think that builds you as a player, and builds your confidence meeting new lads. It has put me in good stead and got me to where I am today.
“It [his goalscoring record] is incredible numbers, but now it is time to prove myself at the next level.”
It really is a surprise that no other EFL clubs decided to take a chance on Tabor, but if he can perform at this level, Championship sides will definitely take notice.
We could be witnessing the next big thing in the EFL with Tabor, but he will need to manage those expectations and still perform under the pressure he is expected to face.