Jack Roberts | Spalding United

Spalding United's young talented striker Jack Roberts has had a sumptuous two months since he joined from Bishop's Stortford in March, as the 20 year old embarks on a potential journey into the play-offs on the final day.

📷 Spalding United

The former Rangers academy starlet scored eight goals in 19 league games for Bishop's Stortford earlier this season. The impressive start for the struggling side alerted play-off chasing Spalding at the start of last month. He has since scored four goals in just nine games for The Tulips.

The young forward is inside the top 10 for games per goal this season in the league, with 12 goals in 28 games. Roberts is part of an exclusive 13 player club who have scored a hat-trick in the league this season, after his three for Bishop's Stortford against Spalding last November.

Spalding have shot up the table since Roberts' arrival. The Lincolnshire side have scored 18 goals in eight games, and are currently three points from fifth. The club have a slight chance of a play-off berth, after being seven points off the pace just six weeks ago.

I spoke with the young Tulips striker to get a rundown on his short career too date. "I dropped into non-league at the start of last year, after I was released by Rangers after two seasons with the club. The news saw me join Braintree Town in February 2024. It was bitter sweet in Essex, as depsite the club earning promotion to the National League, I did not get the game time I would have liked at 19.

"In the summer of 2024, I went on loan to Bishop's Stortford. I enjoyed my short time their a lot, and ended up signing permanently in September. I will always be grateful to them as it was the first time in my senior career that I was given a real chance to prove myself. I was at Stortford for a few months, before I made the step up to join Spalding last month."

I also spoke to Roberts about his current season, as well as his boss Jimmy Dean, and his side's current league predicament. "I have been very happy this season, after a frustrating 2023/24 campaign. I have had a few injury setbacks which have stopped me from adding to my goal tally, but when on the pitch I have thoroughly enjoyed it. I was with the right people during the time on the sidelines, which helped me bounce straight back into gear.

"I have really enjoyed my time with Jimmy, and everyone at Spalding in fact. I do not think my time at The Tulips would have been so successful without him and my teammates. It is a great club with very high expectations after they were promoted last season. It is a great place for me here in Lincolnshire, because they have given me a chance to play, and have done it with other young players this season like Bartosz (Cybulski).

"My first full season in non-league has given me some memorable moments. The biggest of them all is no doubt my first senior hat-trick, against my current club as well when I was at Stortford earlier this season. I managed to score away at Harborough on the Tuesday prior, so to add to that with a hat-trick was a surreal feeling, and one I will remember for the rest of my career.

"We are going into this Saturday's final game of the campaign knowing we need to do everything to beat Barwell. They are battling relegation and we are hoping to sneak into the top 5, so both sets of players will give it their all knowing what is on the line. If we can win, it will put the pressure on Harborough, Stamford and Stratford to get a victory themselves. We are below all three in the table heading into Saturday, so know thag the final spot is out of our hands, but with a chance their is always hope.

"My first season at step 3 has been very insightful, as I end my first full season in men's football. I have been taught valuable lessons from my boss at Stortford Steve Castle, and Jimmy here at Spalding. I have had the chance to play with some fantastic players, who have helped me along the way. The last game of the season has come at the worst time considering my form in such a short space of time in Lincolnshire. The next few weeks are pivotal for me to get ready into laying the foundations for the 2025/26 season with Spalding, where hopefully we can make club history."

Spalding's Season In Numbers

3️⃣7️⃣ | Only Bedford Town (42), and Harborough Town (41) have picked up more points in 2025 than Spalding's 37. The side also have a +20 goal difference so far this year, a higher goal differential than any other side in the league.

3️⃣3️⃣ | Only AFC Telford United (41) have scored more first half goals in the league than Spalding's 33.

1️⃣7️⃣ | No other side in the league have scored more goals in the 15 minute plus stoppage time period before half-time than Spalding's 17, tied with AFC Telford United.

2️⃣1️⃣ | Only AFC Telford United (22) have won more points from losing positions in the league than Spalding's 21. The side have also dropped just seven points from losing positions, and only Stratford Town and Leiston (6) have dropped less.