Jay Anthony Tabb (born 21 February 1984) is an English-born Irish professional footballer who plays for Reading.

Tabb can play on either wing, in central midfield, and occasionally centre forward. He has regularly played in the centre forward position for the Republic of Ireland Under-21 team.

[edit] Career

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' 7", too short to play professional football. Undeterred, he signed for Brentford.

Tabb made 114 starts for Brentford and 42 appearances from the substitutes bench scoring 24 goals for the Bees. In May 2006, Tabb chose to leave Brentford in pursuit of football at a higher level. Tabb was placed on the transfer list on 18 May. One day later, Tabb was called up to the full Republic of Ireland squad. He was signed by Coventry City on 30 June.

Tabb 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.

On 19 January 2009, Tabb signed for Reading, who were, at the time, managed by Tabb's former boss Steve Coppell. The transfer fee was undisclosed. Tabb was given the squad number 37 by Reading.^[1] 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." ^[2]

[edit] References

[edit] External links

• Jay Tabb career stats at Soccerbase
• Jay Tabb profile at the Reading website