Jay Tabb

Jay Tabb

Tabb playing for Reading in 2010
Personal information
Full name Jay Anthony Tabb
Date of birth (1984-02-21) 21 February 1984
Place of birth Tooting, Greater London, England, UK
Height 5 ft 5 in (1.65 m)
Playing position Central midfielder
Youth career
1999–2000 Crystal Palace
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2000–2006 Brentford 128 (20)
2003 → Crawley Town (loan) 0 (0)
2006–2009 Coventry City 95 (11)
2009–2013 Reading 89 (0)
2013 → Ipswich Town (loan) 9 (1)
2013–2016 Ipswich Town 76 (4)
National team
2004–2006 Republic of Ireland U-21 10 (1)

* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 14:05, 2 January 2016 (UTC).


Jay Anthony Tabb (born 21 February 1984) is British-Irish footballer who plays as a midfielder and is currently a free agent after being released by Ipswich Town F.C.. He began his career at Crystal Palace but was released as a junior and joined Brentford in 2000. He moved to Crawley Town in 2003 on a loan which was ultimately cut short by injury. He played in both of Brentford's unsuccessful play-off campaigns in 2005 and 2006, making over 150 appearances for the club in total.

Tabb moved to Coventry City in June 2006 and spent two-and-a-half years at the club, picking up the Player of the Season Award for his performances during the 2007–08 season. In January 2009 he joined Reading. In 2012, he achieved the first promotion of his career as part of the 2011–12 Championship winning squad. He joined Ipswich Town on loan in March 2013 before making the move permanent three months later. He is primarily a central midfielder but has also played as full back, on both wings and as centre forward. In February 2015 Tabb won the "Dan Bartram Player of the Month" award, which included pre-match a trophy presentation at Portman Road.

Born in England to Irish parents, he is a dual citizen who has represented the Republic of Ireland at international level and won ten caps for the under–21 side between 2004–06. He received his first call up to the senior team in 2006 but has yet to make an appearance.

Career

Brentford

Tabb applauding the Brentford supporters in February 2005.

Tabb was born in Tooting, Greater London and was released from Crystal Palace as a junior at the age of 16, after being deemed, at 5'5", too short to play professional football.[1] Undeterred, he signed for Brentford. He attended Wimbledon College from 1997–2000, leaving to pursue a football career. Tabb made his Brentford debut on 3 May 2001 in a 2–2 draw against Luton Town but made only five appearances in his first two seasons at the club.[2]

Tabb struggled with injuries during the 2002–03 season and again made only a handful of appearances for Brentford that year. Tabb travelled to Crawley Town (then playing in the Southern League Premier Division) in February 2004 intent on signing loan forms, but ultimately did not agree to terms after suffering torn ligaments in training with Brentford a few days later.[3][4][5] He did not appear again for Brentford until 19 April, starting in a 2–1 defeat to Queens Park Rangers and made just two starts during the entire campaign. Despite his injury hit season Brentford took up their option to extend Tabb's contract by a year in May 2003 with manager Wally Downes confident he would break into the first team the following season.[2]

Tabb played a major role in the 2003–04 season contributing 11 goals in 40 appearances making him the club's second top scorer. His strong performances saw him sign a new deal in October 2003 keeping him at Brentford until 2005 with the option of a further one-year extension beyond that.[6] He continued his good form into the start of the next season and began attracting interest from higher division clubs with Brentford admitting they would not stand in Tabb's way if they received an offer that was too good to refuse.[7] He remained at the club though and in March 2005 extended his contract until the end of the 2005–06 season.[8]

Tabb's last appearances for Brentford were in the 2005–06 League One play-off semi final defeat to Swansea City. He scored in the first leg draw at the Liberty Stadium but a 2–0 defeat in the return leg ended their promotion hopes.[9] With Tabb wanting to leave the club in pursuit of football at a higher level he was placed on the transfer list on 18 May.[10] Tabb left Brentford on the expiration of his contract & had made 114 starts for Brentford, appearing 42 times from the bench and scoring 24 goals.

Coventry City

On 30 June 2006, Tabb signed for Coventry City, for an undisclosed fee on a three-year contract.[11] He wore number 21 for Coventry and made his debut as a substitute against Cardiff City on 12 August, coming on for the injured Adam Virgo who himself was a substitute. On 23 April 2008, Tabb was awarded the Player of the Year accolade for his services to Coventry City during the 2007–08 season.[12]

Reading

On 19 January 2009, Tabb signed for Reading, who were, at the time, managed by his former boss Steve Coppell. The transfer fee was undisclosed and Tabb was given the squad number 37 by Reading.[13] Manager Steve Coppell said, "He is a player I know well, and I am certain he will supplement our squad as we go into this final third of the season."[14] He made his Reading debut as a second-half substitute in the 1–0 defeat to Nottingham Forest on 28 February 2009 but only featured sporadically in his first few months at the club.[15][16]

Tabb put together a run of appearances at the end of the season though and started in both legs of the play-off semi-final defeat to Burnley.[17] He made his first Premier League appearance in Reading's 2–2 draw away at Swansea City on 6 October 2012 and earned plaudits for his no-nonsense performances in subsequent games.[18][19]

Despite featuring regularly during the first half of the season, Tabb was told in January he was free to leave the club during the transfer window after Reading signed Daniel Carriço and Hope Akpan.[20] No move materialised and he remained in the club's 25-man squad for the second half of their Premier League campaign.[21]

Having not featured in the Reading team since early January, Tabb joined Ipswich Town on a one-month loan on 7 March.[22] He made his debut two days later in a 0–0 draw with Peterborough United[23] and was selected in the Championship Team of the Week after his performance in the 1–0 win over Bolton Wanderers the following weekend.[24] After two impressive performances for Ipswich, Tabb expressed a hope that his good form could earn him a new contract at Reading, despite being surplus to requirements under the previous management.[25] On 4 April his loan was extended for the rest of the season[26] after which he returned to Reading before being released on 24 May.[27]

Ipswich Town

On 5 June 2013, Tabb joined Ipswich Town on a permanent basis, signing a two-year contract effective from 1 July.[28] He made his debut against his former club Reading on 3 August and scored the opener in a 2–1 defeat.[29] The diminutive midfielder featured regularly in the 2014-2015 season as Town reached the Play-Offs. He scored twice, one a rare headed goal at home to promotion rivals Middlesbrough and a scrappy winner in a crucial game at home to Bolton Wanderers. His opportunities were more scarce in the 2015-2016 season despite scoring in a 2-1 victory over Stevenage in the Carling Cup.

International career

Despite being born in England, Tabb also holds an Irish passport and has represented the Republic of Ireland at international level.[30] He was first called up to the under–21 squad on 18 May 2004 to face Scotland and made his debut in the match, helping Ireland to a 3–1 win.[31][32] Tabb scored his first and only international goal in his next appearance for the under–21's, a 3–2 win over Bulgaria on 17 August 2004, and was a regular in the squad for the next two years.[33] His final appearance came as a second-half substitute in a 3–0 win over Azerbaijan on 18 May 2006 and he ended his under–21 career with ten caps and one goal.[34][35]

The day after the win over Azerbaijan, Tabb was called up to the senior squad for the first time for the match against Chile though he did not make an appearance.[36][37] He received another call up for the Euro 2008 qualifier against Cyprus but again failed to make it off the bench and is yet to make his full international debut.[38]

Career statistics

As of match played 4 January 2014.[39]
Club statistics
Club Season League FA Cup League Cup Other Total
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Brentford 2000–01 Second Division 20000000 20
2001–02 30000000 30
2002–03 5010002[lower-alpha 1]0 80
2003–04 36920101[lower-alpha 1]2 4011
2004–05 League One 40591103[lower-alpha 2]0 536
2005–06 42650102[lower-alpha 3]1 507
Total 128201713083 15624
Coventry City 2006–07 Championship 3131000— 323
2007–08 4253041— 496
2008–09 2230010— 233
Total 95114051— 10412
Reading 2008–09 Championship 9000002[lower-alpha 4]0 110
2009–10 2803010— 320
2010–11 21020101[lower-alpha 4]0 250
2011–12 1901010— 210
2012–13 Premier League 1201030— 160
Total 890706030 1050
Ipswich Town (loan) 2012–13 Championship 910000— 91
Ipswich Town 2013–14 271102000 301
2014–15 402000020 422
2015–16 00003100 31
Total 764105120 845
Career total 38835291192133 44941
  1. 1 2 Appearance(s) in the Football League Trophy
  2. ↑ One appearance in the Football League Trophy and two appearances in the League One play-offs
  3. ↑ Appearances in the League One play-offs
  4. 1 2 Appearance(s) in the Championship play-offs

Honours

Coventry City

Reading

References

  1. ↑ "Reading star Jay Tabb reveals road rage cure". The People. Retrieved 3 February 2013.
  2. 1 2 "Bees keep a Tabb on things". Sky Sports. Retrieved 2 February 2013.
  3. ↑ TW8 Matchday versus Oldham Athletic 25/08/03. London, UK: The Yellow Printing Company Limited. pp. 20–21.
  4. ↑ "Tabb off to Crawley". BBC. 11 February 2003. Retrieved 2 February 2013.
  5. ↑ "Lock in at Brentford". Sky Sports. Retrieved 2 February 2013.
  6. ↑ "Tabb signs new Bees deal". Sky Sports. Retrieved 2 February 2013.
  7. ↑ "Tabb sale at right price". Sky Sports. Retrieved 3 February 2013.
  8. ↑ "Brentford extend duo's contracts". BBC. 11 March 2005. Retrieved 3 February 2013.
  9. ↑ "Swansea 1–1 Brentford". BBC. 11 May 2006. Retrieved 3 February 2013.
  10. ↑ "Tabb on the transfer list". Sky Sports. Retrieved 3 February 2013.
  11. ↑ "City sign Tabb". Coventry City FC. Retrieved 14 April 2012.
  12. ↑ "Jay Tabb is Coventry City fans' fave". Coventry Telegraph. Retrieved 14 December 2012.
  13. ↑ "Newboy squad number confirmed". Reading FC. Archived from the original on 24 July 2011. Retrieved 2 December 2012.
  14. ↑ "Royals sign Jay Tabb". Reading FC. Archived from the original on 24 July 2011. Retrieved 2 December 2012.
  15. ↑ "Reading 0–1 Nottingham Forest". BBC. 28 February 2009. Retrieved 1 February 2013.
  16. ↑ "Jay Tabb's raring to go". Get Reading. Retrieved 1 February 2013.
  17. ↑ "Games played by Jay Tabb in 2008-09". Soccerbase. Retrieved 1 February 2013.
  18. ↑ "A point gained". Reading FC. Retrieved 2 December 2012.
  19. ↑ "Old school Tabb shows his class at Reading FC". Get Reading. Retrieved 2 December 2012.
  20. ↑ "Reading midfielder Jay Tabb told he can leave". BBC. Retrieved 14 January 2013.
  21. ↑ "25-man squad". Reading FC. Retrieved 1 February 2013.
  22. ↑ "Jay Tabb to join on loan". Ipswich Town FC. Retrieved 7 March 2013.
  23. ↑ "Peterborough 0–0 Ipswich". BBC Sport. Retrieved 9 March 2013.
  24. ↑ "Championship Team of the Week". The Football League. Archived from the original on 2013-04-03. Retrieved 22 March 2013.
  25. ↑ "Jay Tabb believes he still has a future at Reading". talkSPORT. Retrieved 22 March 2013.
  26. ↑ "Jay extends stay". Ipswich Town FC. Retrieved 4 April 2013.
  27. ↑ "Contract offers". Reading FC. Retrieved 24 May 2013.
  28. ↑ Ogle, Jonathon (5 June 2013). "Tabb to join Town permanently". Ipswich Town FC. Retrieved 5 June 2013.
  29. ↑ "Reading 2–1 Ipswich". BBC Sport. Retrieved 3 August 2013.
  30. ↑ "Jay Tabb Q&A". The Tilehurst End. Retrieved 8 February 2013.
  31. ↑ "Givens names strong under-21 squad". RTÉ. 17 May 2004. Retrieved 8 February 2013.
  32. ↑ "Rep of Ire U21 3–1 Scot U21". BBC. 25 May 2004. Retrieved 8 February 2013.
  33. ↑ "Rep Ire U21 3–2 Bulgaria". BBC. 17 August 2004. Retrieved 8 February 2013.
  34. ↑ "Republic of Ireland 3 Azerbaijan 0". Soccerscene. Retrieved 8 February 2013.
  35. ↑ "Jay Tabb". The Association of Football Statisticians. Retrieved 8 February 2013.
  36. ↑ "Duff set to make Republic match". BBC. 21 May 2006. Retrieved 8 February 2013.
  37. ↑ Claridge, Steve (1 April 2008). "Scouting report: Jay Tabb, Coventry City". London: The Guardian. Retrieved 13 December 2012.
  38. ↑ Haughey, John (7 October 2006). "Cyprus 5–2 Republic of Ireland". BBC. Retrieved 8 February 2013.
  39. ↑ "Jay Tabb". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 11 November 2012.
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