WESSEX Premier League outfit Bashley have announced the marquee signing of former Cherries striker Matt Tubbs, with the 37-year-old joining the ninth-tier side as a player-coach.

In a career that started in Cherries’ youth system, Tubbs has played across the football pyramid, with notable spells at Salisbury, Crawley Town and Portsmouth alongside his time with Cherries.

Tubbs had two senior spells with Cherries, including a loan spell from Salisbury in 2008-09.

The striker returned to Dean Court for a season-and-a-half in League One, grabbing 7 goals in 38 league appearances.

Alongside his role at Brockenhurst College, Tubbs had most recently been a player-coach for Southern League Premier South outfit Gosport Borough.

Despite a storied career across non-league and the lower divisions of the EFL, Tubbs has never played as low as the ninth tier before.

Since starting his senior career with hometown Salisbury, Tubbs has played in over 500 games and scored more 250 goals in his career.

The signing is arguably the second coup for Bash, with the club announcing the return of Sam Jackson from seventh tier Poole Town. The attacking wing-back returns to the Glen Max after spells with a few different Southern League clubs.

Bashley visit Hythe & Dibden in a league fixture this evening, before hosting Alton at the Glen Max on Saturday.