Jordan Tabor facts for kids
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Jordan Benjamin Tabor | ||
| Date of birth | 9 September 1990 | ||
| Place of birth | Wallingford, Oxfordshire, England | ||
| Date of death | 23 July 2014 (aged 23) | ||
| Place of death | Antalya, Turkey | ||
| Position(s) | Left back, central midfielder, striker | ||
| Youth career | |||
| –2005 | Leicester City | ||
| 2005–2009 | Chelsea | ||
| College career | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 2011 | Santa Barbara Vaqueros | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 2009 | Cheltenham Town | 0 | (0) |
| 2009–2011 | Didcot Town | ||
| 2009 | → Witney United (loan) | ||
| 2012 | Pali Blues | 9 | (1) |
| 2012–2013 | Kidlington | ||
| 2013–2014 | A.F.C. Hinksey | ||
| *Club domestic league appearances and goals | |||
Jordan Benjamin Tabor (born September 9, 1990 – died July 23, 2014) was an English footballer. He mostly played as a left back. Later in his career, he also played as a central midfielder or a striker.
His last club was A.F.C. Hinksey. He played for them in the Hellenic Football League Division 1 East before he passed away.
Jordan Tabor's Football Journey
Starting at Chelsea
Jordan Tabor joined Chelsea as a schoolboy in 2005. He signed a two-year scholarship with the team in 2007. During this time, he played 50 games for the Under-18 team. He also played three games for the reserve team.
Sometimes, he played as an attacking left winger. This was because he was very good at crossing the ball. Chelsea did not offer him a professional contract. He left the club in 2009.
Playing for Cheltenham and Didcot
After leaving Chelsea, Jordan went on trial with Didcot Town. This team was in the Southern Football League Premier Division. He then had a trial with Cheltenham Town, a League Two club.
He signed with Cheltenham Town on July 21, 2009. He played regularly for their reserve team. He was also on the bench for the first team five times. However, he did not play in a league game. His only game for Cheltenham was in the Football League Trophy against Torquay United on September 1, 2009.
Cheltenham released him on October 1, 2009. After this, Jordan spent the rest of the season at Didcot Town. He also had a short loan spell at Witney United.
Football in the USA
In 2011, Jordan Tabor moved to the United States. He went to Santa Barbara City College in California. He received a sports scholarship to attend the college.
He played as a central midfielder for the college's men's soccer team. He was the team captain. He led them to win the Western State Conference title. They reached the State Final Four for the first time since 1998. The team finished with a great record of 18 wins, 2 losses, and 4 ties.
Jordan was seen as one of the best midfielders in the college's history. He scored eleven goals and made twelve assists. He also scored two of the longest goals in their history. One was a 50-yard free kick. The other was a 45-yard shot.
After college, Jordan played for Pali Blues. This team was in the USL Premier Development League. He played nine games for them. He scored one goal and made one assist.
Back in England
Jordan returned to England in October 2012. He signed with Kidlington. By this time, he was playing further up the field as a striker. He scored a goal in his very first game against Ascot United.
At the start of the 2013–14 season, he joined A.F.C. Hinksey. Again, he scored on his debut. This time, it was against Woodley Town.
Remembering Jordan Tabor
On July 23, 2014, Jordan Tabor passed away while on holiday. He was in Antalya, Turkey, with his girlfriend and her family. He was 23 years old.
Many people shared their sadness and memories. His mother, Louise Bates, and his father, Craig Jeffery, spoke about him. His girlfriend's brother, Josh, who played with Jordan at Chelsea, also paid tribute. Famous actors Brooke Vincent and Antony Cotton from Coronation Street sent their condolences. His coach from Santa Barbara, John Sisterton, also shared his thoughts.
Jordan was laid to rest at St Trinity Church in Abingdon, Oxfordshire on August 5, 2014.
