DREAM DECADE HAS FLOWN BY
The Non-League Football Paper|February 14, 2021
IT’S A WHOLE ten years since Matt Tubbs helped fi re Crawley Town into the Football League for the first time in their history – but, for the free-scoring striker, it feels just like yesterday.
Johnny Morton
DREAM DECADE HAS FLOWN BY

On joining the ambitious Red Devils for a then club-record fee from Salisbury ahead of the 2010-11 Conference campaign, manager Steve Evans made it crystal clear what the club’s expectations were – promotion at all costs!

It quickly became evident that Tubbs was to play a key part in ‘Project Promotion’, as it soon became known, and on scoring twice in only his second outing against Cambridge United he never looked back.

That year, he finished as the Conference’s top marksman with 37 goals in 41 league games as the Red Devils cruised to the title with 105 points – 15 clear of closest rivals AFC Wimbledon.

“It feels like yesterday,” said the 36-year-old, now retired and in charge of a football academy at Brockenhurst College, Hampshire.

Promotion

This story is from the February 14, 2021 edition of The Non-League Football Paper.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the February 14, 2021 edition of The Non-League Football Paper.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM THE NON-LEAGUE FOOTBALL PAPERView All
LOTTERY'S NO FUN FOR LEE!
The Non-League Football Paper

LOTTERY'S NO FUN FOR LEE!

Eagles can soar but Bircham jokes he won't enjoy it

time-read
2 mins  |
May 05, 2024
BIRD EYES A WAY BACK IN
The Non-League Football Paper

BIRD EYES A WAY BACK IN

Tanners boss keeps perspective

time-read
2 mins  |
May 05, 2024
VICTORY IS FOR OUR HERO GEE!
The Non-League Football Paper

VICTORY IS FOR OUR HERO GEE!

CHICHESTER CITY dedicated their five-star play-off victory to late assistant manager Graeme Gee after this one-sided encounter sent them up in style.

time-read
2 mins  |
May 05, 2024
JAMES' HEROES TAKE A BOW
The Non-League Football Paper

JAMES' HEROES TAKE A BOW

BOWERS & Pitsea bounced straight back to Step 3 foot ball after a tense penalty shootout victory over Essex rivals Brentwood Town, who in turn lost a second final shootout in three years.

time-read
2 mins  |
May 05, 2024
STEVE'S SUITED AND LIVING DREAM
The Non-League Football Paper

STEVE'S SUITED AND LIVING DREAM

STEVE GARDENER thought he was just going for a pint with his dad and brother when he attended a meeting at the local ice rink to discuss restarting Romford Football Club.

time-read
3 mins  |
May 05, 2024
AUSTIN'S BOYS ARE MOTORING
The Non-League Football Paper

AUSTIN'S BOYS ARE MOTORING

HARBOROUGH Town boss Mitch Austin said his side bagged the win and promotion they deserved after goals at either end of the game saw off promotion rivals Anstey Nomads.

time-read
2 mins  |
May 05, 2024
WE'RE HEAD OVER HEELS!
The Non-League Football Paper

WE'RE HEAD OVER HEELS!

Anchors seal a derby thriller

time-read
2 mins  |
May 05, 2024
CABLES FINALLY CAN BELIEVE. JT!
The Non-League Football Paper

CABLES FINALLY CAN BELIEVE. JT!

PRESCOT Cables supporters have waited for more than a decade to celebrate promotion but knew this contest was over in little more than an hour.

time-read
2 mins  |
May 05, 2024
WHITES TAKE A HARD LINE
The Non-League Football Paper

WHITES TAKE A HARD LINE

SALISBURY boss Brian Dutton says his team won’t be bullied out of a place in the National League by big-spending AFC Totton.

time-read
2 mins  |
May 05, 2024
THE BUCKS HAVE GOT FIZZ BACK
The Non-League Football Paper

THE BUCKS HAVE GOT FIZZ BACK

KEVIN WILKIN has urged his AFC Telford United promotion-chasers to take the club’s first major step back to redemption.

time-read
2 mins  |
May 05, 2024