22 year old Jake Tabor, dubbed the ‘next Jamie Vardy’ looks for a new club after scoring 170+ goals in the last three seasons.
His prolific goal-scoring and playing style has caught the attention of the football world. Like Vardy, Tabor’s style is marked by speed, relentless running, and a knack for unsettling defenders, earning him the “Vardy” nickname even during his time at Berkhamsted.
His viral goal clips and online popularity, including a gamer’s Football Manager simulation where he becomes a Premier League star, have drawn attention from scouts, with trials at EFL clubs already under his belt.
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 and are still reportedly keeping tabs. Crewe, in League Two, have watched him. It’s rumoured Brighton visited. This summer, it’s expected he will at the very least to join a National League side, with Wealdstone also said to be keen.
But now this non-league gem is on the search for a new club.
He tweeted: “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”
Get me involved @BallerLeagueUK
— Jake Tabor (@jake76t) May 2, 2025
🤣🤣🤣🤣
— Jake Tabor (@jake76t) May 1, 2025
Sam’s got my number but sadly no call yet.
— Jake Tabor (@jake76t) May 2, 2025
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.”
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… pic.twitter.com/xgXTcWhZB9
— Amersham Town FC (C)🏆 (@AmershamTownFC) May 1, 2025
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
The club said in a statement: “Amersham Town Football Club is sad to announce the departure of Stuart Atkins, manager of the first team.
“Chairman Paul Serkis was keen to stress that there has been no ill feeling between Stuart and the club. On the contrary, “Having taken the club to two promotions in three seasons, and led the way to an outstandingly successful run in the FA Cup this season, we are hugely grateful to Stuart,” he said.
“We wish him all the very best for the future and he will always be welcome at Spratleys Meadow.”
Stuart explained that he felt that he had taken the club as far as he could within the resources available. “It has been an incredibly difficult decision,” he said.
“Amersham is a very special place and I am deeply proud of the three seasons that I have spent there. I’m also extremely grateful for the trust and support shown to me by the Board, the players and the staff. It has been a privilege to lead the team.”
Amersham Town will now set in train the process to appoint a new manager. Details will be announced on social media shortly. Director of Football Peter Nelson felt that there could be considerable interest in the role.
“As a club we have excellent facilities, which we are constantly improving,” he said.
“Our budget is not the largest, but we are well organised fully solvent and forward looking. Any person appointed as our new first team manager will find that we are a friendly and welcoming club.”
He tweeted: “Today, I have officially resigned as manager of Amersham Town. I’m incredibly proud of everything we’ve achieved over the past three years. When I first joined, the club was on the brink of taking voluntary relegation to Step 7. Now, as I step away, we was pushing at the door of Step 4 which is a testament to the hard work, commitment, and belief from everyone involved.
“I want to sincerely thank all those at the club who supported me throughout this journey. I wish Amersham Town every success in the future and look forward to what the next chapter holds for me.”
Announcement 📣
Amersham Town Manager Stuart Atkins has today departed after handing in his resignation, as he looks for a new opportunity.
We’d like to thank Stuart for his time at the club & his incredible achievements he has brought to the club. The manager helped achieve… pic.twitter.com/1wk6Fiwr0G
— Amersham Town FC (C)🏆 (@AmershamTownFC) April 29, 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.”
