Jake Tabor, ahead of signing his first professional contract: “It’s absolutely amazing to sign my first deal, something I never thought would happen, especially at 22 years old. It’s a dream come true. I’ve worked hard at Amersham, and now it’s time to prove myself in League Two. I’m ready for the challenge. Amersham was a really great opportunity to play men’s football week in, week out.”
“It’s now time to prove myself at this next level. I met all of my teammates, but they’ve all been amazing, so welcoming, and it’s been a really exciting week while I’ve been on trial. I heard from my agent initially that Swindon were interested, I was buzzing. To have Ian Holloway as the Manager, as an ex-Premier League manager, it’s special.”
“The stadium is huge, they get a massive attendance, the fanbase is incredible, and it’s something I look forward to playing in front of.”
Jake becomes our sixth new signing of the summer as the Robins prepare for the 2025–26 season. The striker will join his new teammates ahead of our first pre-season friendly against Swindon Supermarine on Saturday 5 July, with tickets available here.
Tabor’s journey mirrors Vardy’s rise. Beginning in Sunday league football in Watford, he emailed non-league clubs for opportunities at 16, playing various roles before finding his scoring touch.
His claim of “barely training” reflects a raw, instinctive approach, focusing on match-day performance over structured preparation, much like Vardy’s early career.
Wycombe gave him a trial. Crewe, in League Two watched him. It’s rumoured Brighton visited. It was expected that he would at the very least to join a National League side, with Wealdstone also said to be keen.
But now this non-league gem has signed a deal with League Two side Swindon Town, managed by Ian Holloway.
He tweeted following his exit from Amersham: “After the resignation of Manager Stuart Atkins, I have left the club following the termination of my contract. 170+ Goals in 3 seasons. Looking for a new challenge 📞📞 #freeagent”
Amersham Town tweeted: “Announcement 📣
“After the resignation of Manager Stuart Atkins, Jake Tabor has also left the club following the termination of his contract.
“A staggering 127 goals & 40 assists in 91 appearances!
“We thank Jake for his incredible contribution on and off the pitch — a true legend.
“Wishing @jake76t all the best in your next chapter, we hope to see you in the EFL soon.”
Most Wanted Striker Rejects Big move! ❌
🏟️ @AmershamTownFC
✍️ @jake76t
⚽️ 150+ goals
💰 How much is he worth?#nonleague #football pic.twitter.com/uTPb7VgpVP— Location Football (@LocationFootba2) February 2, 2025
In late April 2025, when asked by inews, what is it goal scorers see that us mere mortals do not?
“I just beat a player,” he said. “I’m fairly quick.”
“I don’t know. I don’t do skills, there’s no need to do them. It’s just simplicity. You don’t need to do 10 stepovers, beat two men, nutmeg someone, then try and hit it top bins.
“That looks cool on your highlights reel on TikTok and Twitter, but that’s not reality. The reality is, if you bump it past someone and it bobbles up and you score a tap-in, nobody remembers you scored a tap-in, you’ve won 1-0 and you’ve scored the goal. It’s not about looking pretty.
“Outside the box, I’m not great.
“In training sometimes, outside the box shooting, some of the guys are whipping it in the top corner all the time. I can’t do that. But you give me a chance in a game, I’ll probably score it.
“Doing drills, anyone can look good. But that’s not reality. I look at some of the players and think wow this guy’s technique is awesome, but they don’t score at the weekend. Because you’re never going to have it perfectly.”
At 16, Tabor emailed non-league clubs to join their youth teams, initially playing right-back before returning to his preferred position with Berkhamsted’s Under-18s, then got promoted to the first team but barely playing, he was loaned to Crawley Green, earning £15 per game.
He moved between clubs like Oxhey Jets and Harpenden Town, where he earned £10 per point, scoring steadily.
At 19, he joined Northwood in the Isthmian League but struggled to balance training with work.
Simultaneously playing for Rayners Lane, he missed a Northwood session for a Rayners Lane quarter-final, leading to his removal from Northwood.
At Rayners Lane, unpaid but occasionally rewarded for hat-tricks, he scored prolifically, ending with 46 goals in 25 games, helping the team reach the play-offs.
After signing with Amersham, he scored 29 goals and provided eight assists in 13 games by October last season, considering two goals a weak performance.
Last season, Amersham won the league with over 111 points and 107 goals with Tabor scoring 76 goals and providing 25 assists in 44 games, making him the top scorer in any league nationwide.
“Over 100 goal contributions – that’s got to be a non-league record.”
On Vardy comparisons: “Vardy’s quick, he’s not pretty, he won’t do stepovers or skills.
“He’s not super strong and neither am I, but we both know how to use our body. He’s not a big hold-up No 9.
“He loves to wind up players – I love to wind up players. A lot of running in behind. That’s what I do. Ball in behind, or a cross and tapping it in. Nothing spectacular.”
On looking ahead: “I’ve put myself in the shop window playing at this level scoring goals, but that shop window only reaches to the bottom end of League One and Two, at a push.
“If I go to the National League and score goals, that shop window is the Premier League.
“If I was to go into a National League setup, train several times a week, work with analysts to improve, spend time in the gym, the sky’s the limit. I should become an absolute weapon.”
