Gavin Tomlin Explained

Gavin Tomlin
Fullname:Gavin Glenrick Tomlin
Birth Date:21 August 1983[1]
Birth Place:Gillingham, Kent, England
Position:Striker
winger
Youthclubs1:Gillingham
Youthclubs2:Tooting & Mitcham United
Years1:2002
Clubs1:Ashford Town (Kent)
Caps1:1
Goals1:1
Years2:2002
Clubs2:Aylesbury United
Caps2:1
Goals2:0
Years3:2003–2005
Clubs3:Staines Town
Years4:2005
Clubs4:St Albans City (loan)
Caps4:7
Goals4:1
Years5:2005–2006
Clubs5:Yeading
Caps5:12
Goals5:0
Years6:2006
Clubs6:Windsor & Eton
Years7:2006
Clubs7:Brentford
Caps7:12
Goals7:0
Years8:2007–2008
Clubs8:Fisher Athletic
Years9:2008–2010
Clubs9:Yeovil Town
Caps9:77
Goals9:14
Years10:2010–2012
Clubs10:Dagenham & Redbridge
Caps10:36
Goals10:2
Years11:2011
Clubs11:Torquay United (loan)
Caps11:12
Goals11:4
Years12:2012
Clubs12:Gillingham (loan)
Caps12:10
Goals12:6
Years13:2012–2013
Clubs13:Southend United
Caps13:33
Goals13:13
Years14:2013–2014
Clubs14:Port Vale
Caps14:23
Goals14:5
Years15:2014–2016
Clubs15:Crawley Town
Caps15:51
Goals15:3
Years16:2016–2019
Clubs16:Dulwich Hamlet
Caps16:74
Goals16:12
Years17:2019–2022
Clubs17:Cray Valley Paper Mills
Caps17:38
Goals17:23
Totalcaps:392+
Totalgoals:87+

Gavin Glenrick Tomlin (born 21 August 1983) is an English former professional footballer. He was a versatile player who could play as a striker, on both left and right wings and attacking midfield.

A former Gillingham youth team player, he played non-League football for Ashford Town (Kent), Aylesbury United, Staines Town, St Albans City, Yeading and Windsor & Eton, before having a brief spell in the English Football League with Brentford in 2006. He returned to the non-League scene with Fisher Athletic before winning a contract at Yeovil Town in June 2008. Two years later, he switched to Dagenham & Redbridge, but was not a success at his new club and was loaned out to Torquay United and Gillingham. He signed with Southend United in July 2012 and played in the club's defeat in the 2013 Football League Trophy final. He joined Port Vale in June 2013 and stayed with the club for one season before moving on to Crawley Town. Following two seasons with Crawley, he joined Dulwich Hamlet in the summer of 2016. He went on to help the club win promotion out of the Isthmian League Premier Division via the play-offs in 2018 before moving on to Cray Valley Paper Mills in January 2019. Mills won the Southern Counties East League Premier Division title in the 2018–19 season and reached the 2019 FA Vase final.

Career

Early career

Tomlin was a youth team player at Gillingham. He subsequently joined Tooting & Mitcham United and from there joined Southern League Eastern Division club Ashford Town (Kent) on 17 January 2002[2] and later day scored the winning goal in a 3–2 league victory over Tonbridge. Tomlin joined Aylesbury United the following season and on 26 November 2002 he scored a goal in a 4–0 win over Wokingham Town in the Berks & Bucks Senior Cup.[3] He then played one Isthmian League match on 14 December, in a 1–1 draw with Basingstoke Town.[4]

He signed with Staines Town in December 2003,[5] having spent some time out of the game after breaking his leg during a trial at Barnet.[6] He scored 11 minutes into his "Swans" debut.[7] He had a trial with Notts County in June 2004.[8] He scored 13 goals in the 2004–05 season,[9] but left Staines in March to go on trial at Exeter City.[10] The following month, he joined Conference South club St Albans City on loan.[11] He moved on to Conference South side Yeading, but made only five starts and eight substitute appearances in the 2005–06 season.[12] He went on to have a brief stay at Isthmian League side Windsor & Eton.[13]

Tomlin signed a one-year contract with Leroy Rosenior's Brentford in July 2006.[14] He failed to break into the "Bees" first-team (despite a man of the match performance against Northampton early in the 2006–07 season). His contract was terminated by mutual consent on 30 January 2007.[15] He joined Conference South club Fisher Athletic in February 2007.[16] He helped the "Fish" to secure a play-off place in the 2007–08 season with a fourth-place finish.[17]

Yeovil Town

Tomlin joined League One club Yeovil Town on trial in June 2008.[18] His trial was successful as he impressed enough to win a two-year contract from Russell Slade; Tomlin stated that "this is my third chance at league football and I am not going to let it slip this time."[19] He finished the 2008–09 season as the "Glovers" leading goalscorer with nine goals. Included in this tally was a goal against Premier League side Middlesbrough in a 5–1 defeat at the Riverside Stadium.[20] He found the net seven times in 35 league games in the 2009–10 campaign. On 16 June 2010, he agreed to sign a new contract with Yeovil boss Terry Skiverton,[21] though he later changed his mind and left Huish Park on a free transfer.

Dagenham & Redbridge

In June 2010, Tomlin signed a three-year deal with League One newcomers Dagenham & Redbridge.[22] However, he made only 16 starts in the 2010–11 season, scoring just two goals as John Still's "Daggers" were relegated in 21st-place. He joined Paul Buckle's League Two side Torquay United on a one-month loan in March 2011, which was later extended until the end of the season.[23] [24] He played in the play-off final, as the "Gulls" were beaten 1–0 by Stevenage at Old Trafford.[25] He played 22 matches for Dagenham in the 2011–12 without scoring a goal at Victoria Road. In January 2012, he signed for Gillingham on loan until the end of the season.[26] He scored six goals in ten League two games for Andy Hessenthaler's "Gills", but was sidelined from March onwards after picking up a hamstring injury.[27]

Southend United

In July 2012, Tomlin signed for Southend United on a one-year contract after being tracked by manager Paul Sturrock for five years.[28] He scored 16 goals in 42 games in the 2012–13 season for the "Shrimpers". He finished joint-top-scorer with strike partner Britt Assombalonga. He did, though, go 13 games without a goal and thanked Paul Sturrock for sticking by him during this spell before the start of the 2013 Football League Trophy final even though Sturrock had by then been replaced by Phil Brown. Southend were beaten 2–0 by Crewe Alexandra in the Wembley final.[29]

Port Vale

He signed with newly-promoted League One club Port Vale in June 2013.[30] Upon joining the club he stated that he was expecting to play as a striker, rather than as a utility forward, though he admitted he faced a challenge in dislodging either of free-scoring duo Tom Pope and Lee Hughes.[31] [32] He was dropped from the starting line-up after failing to find the net in his first few games, and then spent a month out injured with ankle, hamstring and toe troubles.[33] He returned to action in December, and scored in four consecutive games.[34] He finished the 2013–14 campaign with six goals in only 27 appearances; in the summer Southend United manager Phil Brown confirmed that he was attempting to re-sign Tomlin.[35] Tomlin decided to move back to his native London, and determined on a move South from the Midlands.[36]

Crawley Town

Tomlin joined League One side Crawley Town for an undisclosed fee in June 2014 as "Reds" manager John Gregory stated "I have always admired Gavin".[37] He scored three goals in 40 appearances in the 2014–15 season as Crawley were relegated into League Two. He was released by new manager Dermot Drummy after making just 17 appearances in the 2015–16 campaign.[38]

Later career

Tomlin joined Isthmian League Premier Division club Dulwich Hamlet in August 2016, following a successful trial ahead of the 2016–17 season.[39] He went on to score 19 goals in 60 appearances across all competitions in his first season at the club, and helped Hamlet to the play-off final, where they were beaten 2–1 by Bognor Regis Town.[40] The Hamlet again qualified for the play-offs with a second-place finish in the 2017–18 campaign, and Tomlin scored the equalising goal in the final against Hendon at Imperial Fields before Hamlet secured promotion with a victory in the penalty shoot-out.[41]

On 23 January 2019, Tomlin joined Southern Counties East League Premier Division club Cray Valley Paper Mills.[42] He scored on his debut for the club against Lordswood on 23 January 2019.[43] The "Millers" won the league title at the end of the 2018–19 season and reached the 2019 FA Vase final. Tomlin scored in the final at Wembley Stadium, but Mills were beaten by 3–1 Chertsey Town after extra time.[44] The 2019–20 Isthmian League season was formally abandoned on 26 March, with all results from the season being expunged, due to the COVID-19 pandemic in England.[45] He did not feature in the 2020–21 season, but scored one goal from twelve appearances in the 2021–22 campaign.[43]

Style of play

In June 2010, Dagenham & Redbridge manager John Still stated Tomlin to be "a clever striker with good movement who links play well. He's a hard worker who is equally adept playing as a forward or wide." Speaking in March 2011, Torquay manager Paul Buckle described Tomlin as a player that was "big, strong and has plenty of pace".

Personal life

As a boy he supported Newcastle United and looked up to Andy Cole.[46]

Career statistics

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition[47]
ClubSeasonLeagueFA CupLeague CupOtherTotal
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Ashford Town (Kent)2001–02[48] Southern League Eastern Division11001[49] 021
Aylesbury United2002–03Isthmian League Premier Division10001[50] 121
St Albans City (loan)2004–05[51] Conference South711[52] 081
Yeading2005–06Conference South120001[53] 0130
Windsor & Eton2005–06[54] Isthmian League Premier Division7373
Brentford2006–07League One12000102[55] 0150
Yeovil Town2008–09League One427202111479
2009–10League One357001010377
Total77142031218416
Dagenham & Redbridge2010–11League One192100000202
2011–12League Two170201020220
Total362301020422
Torquay United (loan)2010–11League Two12400003[56] 0154
Gillingham (loan)2011–12League Two106000000106
Southend United2012–13League Two33135200414216
Port Vale2013–14League One235311000276
Crawley Town2014–15League One353101030403
2015–16League Two160000010170
Total513101040573
Dulwich Hamlet2016–17[57] Isthmian League Premier Division40113218[58] 66119
2017–18[59] Isthmian League Premier Division170004[60] 2212
2018–19National League South1710010181
Total74123223810022
Cray Valley Paper Mills2018–19[61] Southern Counties East League Premier Division17134[62] 32116
2019–20[63] Isthmian League South East Division139001[64] 0149
2020–21[65] Isthmian League South East Division00000000
2021–22[66] Isthmian League South East Division81103[67] 0121
Total382310834726
Career total39287185715114470107

Honours

St Albans City

Southend United

Dulwich Hamlet

Cray Valley Paper Mills

Notes and References

  1. News: Profile . . dead . 30 June 2013 . https://archive.today/20130630195500/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/shared/bsp/hi/football/statistics/players/t/tomlin_258020.stm . 30 June 2013.
  2. News: 17 January 2002 . New boy Tomlin nets late winner . Kent Messenger, Kent Online.co.uk . 4 August 2018.
  3. News: Aylesbury United 4–0 Wokingham Town . 30 June 2013.
  4. Web site: Profile . 30 June 2013 . aylesburyunitedfc.co.uk.
  5. Web site: Flood . Tony . Timely strike seals Gavin's Bees future . 30 June 2013 . yourlocalguardian.co.uk.
  6. News: 29 December 2003 . Great debut for Tomlin . Non League Daily . 26 July 2008 . https://web.archive.org/web/20120614144058/http://www.nonleaguedaily.com/news/index.php?newsmode=FULL&nid=14686 . 14 June 2012.
  7. Web site: Born in Gillingham, Gavin Tomlin... . 30 June 2013 . hyufc.com.
  8. News: 2 June 2004 . County Interest in Tomlin . nonleaguedaily.com . dead . 30 June 2013 . https://archive.today/20130630195445/http://www.nonleaguedaily.com/news/index.php?newsmode=FULL&nid=17921 . 30 June 2013.
  9. Web site: SoccerFacts UK Player Details . 28 October 2015 . www.soccerfactsuk.co.uk.
  10. News: 28 March 2005 . Double Blow for Swans . nonleaguedaily.com . dead . 30 June 2013 . https://archive.today/20130630195504/http://www.nonleaguedaily.com/news/index.php?newsmode=FULL&nid=25546 . 30 June 2013.
  11. News: 1 April 2005 . Two in – one out at Saints . Non League Daily . 26 July 2008 . https://web.archive.org/web/20120614144130/http://www.nonleaguedaily.com/news/index.php?newsmode=FULL&nid=25645 . 14 June 2012.
  12. Web site: Yeading Football Club . 19 August 2016 . www.yeadingfc.co.uk.
  13. Web site: SoccerFacts UK Player Details . 28 October 2015 . www.soccerfactsuk.co.uk.
  14. News: 24 July 2006 . Brentford continue squad-building . BBC Sport . 26 July 2008.
  15. Web site: 30 January 2007 . Brentford News Latest News Latest News GAVIN LEAVES THE BEES . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20180212203502/http://world.brentfordfc.co.uk/page/LatestNews/0,,10421~972774,00.html . 12 February 2018 . 8 April 2018 . world.brentfordfc.co.uk.
  16. News: 6 February 2007 . Signing frenzy by Fish . Non League Daily . 26 July 2008 . https://web.archive.org/web/20120614144254/http://www.nonleaguedaily.com/news/index.php?newsmode=FULL&nid=40269 . 14 June 2012.
  17. Web site: SoccerFacts UK Player Details . 28 October 2015 . www.soccerfactsuk.co.uk.
  18. News: 30 June 2008 . Quintet offered trials by Yeovil . . 30 June 2013.
  19. News: 21 July 2008 . Striker Tomlin agrees Yeovil deal . BBC Sport . 26 July 2008.
  20. News: 26 August 2008 . Middlesbrough 5–1 Yeovil . . 30 June 2013.
  21. News: 16 June 2010 . Bowditch, Tomlin and Smith pen new deals at Yeovil Town . . 30 June 2013.
  22. News: 30 June 2010 . Striker Gavin Tomlin signs for Dagenham & Redbridge . . 30 June 2013.
  23. News: 11 March 2011 . Torquay sign Dagenham striker Gavin Tomlin on loan . . 30 June 2013.
  24. News: 25 March 2011 . Torquay United set to extend Gavin Tomlin's loan spell . . 30 June 2013.
  25. News: Begley . Emlyn . 28 May 2011 . Stevenage promoted to League One by beating Torquay . . 30 June 2013.
  26. News: Gillingham sign up striker Tomlin . BBC News .
  27. News: 6 March 2012 . Gillingham boss Andy Hessenthaler hails Ashley Miller . . 30 June 2013.
  28. News: Southend United sign Anthony Straker and Gavin Tomlin . BBC Sport . 2 July 2012.
  29. News: Osborne . Chris . 7 April 2013 . Crewe 2 – 0 Southend . . 30 June 2013.
  30. News: 27 June 2013 . Port Vale complete Chris Robertson and Gavin Tomlin deals . . 27 June 2013.
  31. News: 28 June 2013 . New boy Tomlin sets out his Vale goals . . dead . 28 June 2013 . https://web.archive.org/web/20130701043629/http://www.thisisstaffordshire.co.uk/Port-Vale-New-boy-Tomlin-sets-Vale-goals/story-19418519-detail/story.html#axzz2X2dLQHfQ . 1 July 2013.
  32. News: 29 June 2013 . Gavin Tomlin eyes first-team impact . . dead . 30 June 2013 . https://web.archive.org/web/20130701231340/http://www.thisisstaffordshire.co.uk/Port-Vale-Gavin-Tomlin-eyes-team-impact/story-19428335-detail/story.html#axzz2Xi7x3el9 . 1 July 2013.
  33. News: 19 October 2013 . Gavin Tomlin can become fans' favourite, says Micky Adams . . dead . 19 October 2013 . https://archive.today/20131019205120/http://www.thisisstaffordshire.co.uk/Port-Vale-Gavin-Tomlin-fans-favourite-says-Micky/story-19958171-detail/story.html . 19 October 2013.
  34. News: 11 January 2014 . Tomlin could equal Vale ace Mark Bright's scoring run . . dead . 11 January 2014 . https://web.archive.org/web/20140112062146/http://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/Port-Vale-Tomlin-equal-Vale-ace-Mark-Bright-s/story-20427686-detail/story.html . 12 January 2014.
  35. News: Baggaley . Mike . 13 June 2014 . Southend boss Phil Brown confirms interest in Port Vale's Gavin Tomlin . . dead . 13 June 2014 . https://archive.today/20140615085249/http://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/Southend-boss-Phil-Brown-confirms-Port-Vale-s/story-21225996-detail/story.html . 15 June 2014.
  36. News: 21 June 2014 . Port Vale boss Micky Adams steps up hunt for goalscorers . . dead . 28 June 2014 . https://web.archive.org/web/20140624081106/http://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/Port-Vale-boss-Micky-Adams-steps-hunt-goalscorers/story-21270279-detail/story.html . 24 June 2014.
  37. News: 18 June 2014 . Gavin Tomlin: Crawley Town sign Port Vale striker . BBC Sport . 18 June 2014.
  38. News: 13 May 2016 . Former Brighton striker and former Port Vale frontman released by Crawley Town . Crawley News . 23 May 2016.
  39. News: 1 August 2016 . Gavin Tomlin – signing confirmed . Dulwich Hamlet F.C. . 1 August 2016.
  40. News: Hickey . Liam . 2 May 2017 . Bognor Regis Town 2–1 Dulwich Hamlet – News – Dulwich Hamlet Football Club . en . www.pitchero.com . 6 May 2017.
  41. News: Hickey . Liam . 8 May 2018 . Dulwich Hamlet 1–1 Hendon AET – Dulwich win 4–3 on Penalties – News – Dulwich Hamlet Football Club . en . www.pitchero.com . 14 May 2018.
  42. Web site: FC . Cray Valley PM . 23 January 2019 . #TheMillers are delighted to announce the arrival of Gavin Tomlin to #Badgers!The attacking midfielder joins us from @DulwichHamletFC and lists Brentford, Yeovil Town, Southend United and Crawley Town among his previous clubs.#WelcomeGavin #100thSeason #COYMpic.twitter.com/mdKEfpx7Rw . 16 March 2019 . @CrayValleyPM . Twitter . en.
  43. Web site: Gavin Tomlin - Cray Valley (PM) FC First Team . www.crayvalleypmfc.com . 28 June 2022.
  44. News: Association . The Football . 19 May 2019 . Chertsey Town lift the Buildbase FA Vase after extra-time victory over Cray Valley . en . www.thefa.com . 6 April 2020.
  45. Web site: 26 March 2020 . Coronavirus: All football below National League to end . 26 March 2020 . BBC Sport.
  46. News: 9 April 2009 . I looked up to Cole says Tomlin . thisissomerset.co.uk . dead . 30 June 2013 . https://web.archive.org/web/20120722224625/http://www.thisissomerset.co.uk/looked-Cole-says-Tomlin/story-12307672-detail/story.html#axzz2Xhuo8xif . 22 July 2012.
  47. Statistics for Staines Town, Windsor & Eton and Fisher Athletic unavailable.
  48. Web site: Nuts and Bolts Archive . www.nutsandboltsarchive.co.uk . 27 June 2022.
  49. Appearance in Kent Senior Cup
  50. Appearance in Berks & Bucks Senior Cup
  51. Web site: St Albans City F.C. Statistics . 18 August 2019 . saintsstatistics.co.uk.
  52. Appearance in Herts Senior Cup
  53. Appearances in FA Trophy
  54. Web site: mitoo.co.uk . 18 August 2019 . football.mitoo.co.uk.
  55. Appearances in Football League Trophy
  56. Three appearances in League Two play-offs
  57. Web site: Gavin Tomlin – First XI – Dulwich Hamlet Football Club . 19 August 2016 . www.pitchero.com.
  58. Nine appearances and three goals in FA Trophy, four appearances and two goals in Alan Turvey Trophy, two appearances in London Senior Cup, three appearances and one goal in Isthmian League play-offs
  59. Web site: Dulwich Hamlet Appearances Gavin Tomlin 2017–2018 Football Web Pages . 18 August 2019 . www.footballwebpages.co.uk.
  60. 2 appearances and 1 goal in Isthmian League Premier Division play-offs, 1 appearance in FA Trophy, 1 appearance in Isthmian League Cup
  61. Web site: Gavin Tomlin player stats Southern Counties East Football League . 4 July 2021 . fulltime-league.thefa.com.
  62. Appearances in FA Vase
  63. Web site: Cray Valley PM Appearances Gavin Tomlin 2019–2020 . 3 July 2020 . Football Web Pages.
  64. Appearance in the London Challenge Cup
  65. Web site: Cray Valley PM Appearances Gavin Tomlin 2020–2021 . 3 July 2020 . Football Web Pages.
  66. Web site: Cray Valley PM Appearances Gavin Tomlin Football Web Pages . 3 November 2021 . www.footballwebpages.co.uk.
  67. 1 appearance in FA Trophy, 1 appearance in Isthmian League Cup, 1 appearance in the London Challenge Cup
  68. Web site: Starting Lineups - Crewe vs Southend . Sky Sports . 7 April 2013 . 10 March 2024.
  69. Web site: Dulwich Hamlet v Hendon . 14 May 2018 . Football Web Pages.co.uk . en.