Crawley sell Tubbs but talk to West Ham & Burton for replacement

Last updated : 30 January 2012 By wesatfield shrimper

Tubbs: Celebrates his winning goal

Tubbs: Celebrates his goal that knocked Hull out of the FA Cup Saturday
 
Crawley forward Matt Tubbs has grabbed 58 goals from 78 appearances for the Shrimpers promotion rivals, but has now put pen to paper on a three-and-a-half-year deal with AFC Bournemouth.
 
He began his career at Salisbury and had a loan spell at the Cherries in 2008 before signing for Crawley in August 2010.

Tubbs told BBC Radio Solent: "I can't wait to get started, this is a great club to be at and is on the up. It wasn't an easy decision, especially considering the success we have had this season and the euphoria of beating Hull in the FA Cup on Saturday. The boys were buzzing, but Bournemouth is a club I have supported since I was kid, I used to come up here and watch the games with my dad at Dean Court. The lure of coming home was a key factor."

When he was there four years ago Cherries boss and former Shrimper Lee Bradbury was a team-mate, and Tubbs will join other Southend stars of the past in Darryl Flahaven, Simon Francis and ex-captain Adam Barrett!

Tubbs continued: "I was lucky enough to play with Lee Bradbury when I was on loan here in 2008 and I always got on well with him then and he was a big factor in why I signed. The chance to play for him was a dream for me. All my family are down here as our all my best friends so it is brilliant to be back."

And he'll be hoping that his goals will see the Dorset club in the Championship come May, they are five points off the play-off pace at the moment.

Tubbs said: "There are players in this squad that can play at a higher level and we will push now for promotion. The aim is to get promotion, there is no point competing if you don't think like that. We aim to be up at the top in May. I can't wait to get started, this is a great club to be at and the club is at the up."

Bradders said: "It's a fantastic signing for us to sign a player in great form. He knows the club, it's a club that means a lot to him. He's a very ambitious player, and he has joined a club that matches his ambitions."

While Crawley boss Steve Evans lamented: "Matt Tubbs has been sensational here."

As he went on the lookout for his replacement, and according to local media West Ham United are close to selling striker Frank Nouble to the creepies.

Nouble had a loan spell at Gillingham earlier in the season where he scored five goals.

Burton Albion have also posted on their official site that their top scorer Billy Kee has turned down a move to West Sussex after the Brewers received a second 'substantial offer' for the former Torquay United stiker as his manager Paul Peschisolido said Kee had told him "it wouldn't be the right move for him at the time."

Maybe the charms of fat boy Evans are wearing off!