Ex-Pompey midfielder Tarbuck signs for Gosport after being released by Hawks

The former Pompey player was one of seven players released by Paul Doswell last week after the Hawks’ failure to win promotion to the National League.

Now Tarbuck, 24, has stepped down a level to sign for Southern League Premier South club Borough, managed by his former Hawks assistant manager Shaun Gale.

Former Westleigh Park team-mates Matt Paterson, Theo Lewis and Mike Carter were all regulars for Gosport last season.

Gale said: ‘This was a no brainer. Brad ticks all the boxes - I know him as a person and I know him as a player.

‘He can play in a variety of positions, he’s a young local lad, and he wanted to sign for us. He actually phoned me up first and asked if I’d be interested in taking him - I said 100 per cent yes.

‘He offers us something we didn’t have. To be fair, I was surprised he was available. He knows he’s not going to get the money he was on at Havant but he wanted to play here.’

Tarbuck was a regular in Hawks’ National League South squads in 2019/20, appearing in 25 league games - but he only completed 90 minutes in three of them.

Gale added: ‘I know people might be saying ‘oh another signing from Havant’ but I’m after the best local players I can get.

‘There’s only two clubs around here higher than we are in non-league - one is Eastleigh and the other is Havant.

‘Anyone released by Eastleigh is probably not looking to play below Conference South standard, and I probably couldn’t afford them.

‘After Eastleigh, Havant are the next club up from us. If I want to sign the best local players, I have to be looking there.

‘I won’t be looking to sign players from the Wessex League unless they are exceptionally good.

‘But I’m not interested in where a player has come from, all I’m interested in is what they can do for Gosport.’

Another ex-Hawk Gale has brought to Privett Park is goalkeeper Ryan Young.

The shot-stopper was a key member of the Hawks teams that won back to back promotions from the Southern League and Conference South during Lee Bradbury’s time as manager.

Young left Westleigh Park a few months into the 2018/19 season and joined AFC Portchester. He didn’t play at all last term but has now joined Borough as a goalkeeping coach, though he can still play if needed.

Gale has also completed the permanent signing of young Aaron McCreadie.

The midfielder was on loan from Oxford United when last season was halted in mid-March, and was keen to return to Gosport following his release by the League One club.

‘Aaron was given the chance to go on trial to another League One club, but he wanted to come back,’ said Gale. ‘I had Aaron on the phone saying he was keen and I had his representatives on the phone saying the same.

‘It’s not about money for Aaron - it wouldn’t be on what we’re paying.

‘He’s a good player and I feel he has a good chance of getting back into the professional game.

‘He’s got a bit of everything, and he’s got a fantastic attitude.

‘We’re not that blessed for central midfielders and attacking midfielders at the moment. Aaron will be a good addition.’

Though Gale is attempting to piece together a squad that lives fairly locally, McCreadie is based in Oxford. ‘It’s not ideal,’ said Gale, ‘but he can travel down with Theo Lewis who lives in Oxford as well.’

Gale had previously signed ex-Borough trio Dan Wooden, Joe Lea and Pat Suraci and brought ex-Hawks defender Jordan Rose to Privett Park.

‘I’m still looking for players,’ he said. ‘I could do with another centre half and another centre forward. We’re also not that well blessed with attacking or central midfielders.’

Though no date has yet been set for the official start of the 2020/21 Southern League season, Gosport will begin pre-season friendlies towards the end of this month.

A six-game programme - yet to be released - should feature a home game with Hawks as well as other friendlies against National League South clubs Hampton & Richmond and Hungerford Town.