The path from non-league to the Premier League isn’t dead yet, maybe. Swindon Town look to be trying their luck at identifying the next Jamie Vardy – 22 year old striker Jake Tabor. Tabor was playing in 9th and 10th tiers of English football in the Combined Counties league for the past four seasons. Most recently, with Amersham Town, he scored 127 goals in 91 appearances over the past two seasons. This return lead Tabor to be the subject of a fair bit of attention (for the 9th tier of English football), and several professional contract offers.

One of the interested clubs was Swindon Town, managed by former Premier League gaffer Ian Holloway. Tabor’s agent gave Holloway a phone call, simply told him that his client scored 51 goals in the league last season, and a trial was set up. Interestingly, Holloway’s former assistant manager knew Tabor, and told him that this was a good kid ready to work hard. For many managers, Holloway included, it is the person they look to sign, not the player. After hearing this, and witnessing what he called “the best trial I’ve ever seen”, Jake Tabor was signing for Swindon Town FC.

The immediate jump to playing for a professional club in League Two was enough to take Tabor by surprise, who admitted in his first interview since joining the club that he is not yet used to having things like a full kit, or water bottles ready at halftime. A true grassroots player who has just jumped 5 tiers up the English football pyramid and will get his chance in the EFL next season.

This is a rare story these days, and my love for football wants Tabor to succeed and make it all the way to the Premier League. After all, he is just 22 years old. As much as we are desensitized by 16 year old wonderkids debuting, 22 is still plenty young enough to improve even further. Tabor will now be enjoying the best coaching and facilities of his career, which should only help his chances to develop. Keep an eye out on how he fares, because this could end up being a very special story.

Jake Tabor, One to Watch.