Spalding United have secured a major boost ahead of life in the National League North after retaining 27-goal striker Jack Roberts, once on the books of Glasgow Rangers.
The Tulips, promoted through the Southern League Premier Central play-offs last month, have confirmed that Roberts will remain at the Sir Halley Stewart Playing Field after a prolific campaign helped fire the club into step two.
Roberts proved one of Spalding’s key figures during their promotion-winning season, finishing as top scorer with 27 goals. His most dramatic contribution came in the play-off final against Real Bedford, when he struck a stoppage-time penalty to pull the Tulips level before they went on to win 4-2 after extra time.
That victory, played in front of 2,700 supporters, sealed promotion to the National League North and completed a memorable end to the season. Yusifu Ceesay, Bart Cybulski and Ben Fowkes were also on target in the final, while Spalding had earlier beaten Halesowen Town 1-0 in the play-off semi-final thanks to Ceesay’s second-half goal.
Keeping Roberts is a significant statement from Spalding as they prepare for the higher division. The striker only joined the club from Bishop’s Stortford towards the end of the 2024/25 campaign, but his impact has been immediate and decisive.
Glasgow Rangers upbringing
Before arriving at Spalding, Roberts came through the youth set-up at Ibrox before moving into non-league football with Braintree Town. He also spent time on loan at Cheshunt and Bishop’s Stortford, later signing permanently for the latter in September. During his spell with Bishop’s Stortford, he scored eight goals in 23 appearances, including a hat-trick against Spalding at the Sir Halley Stewart Playing Field.
Roberts is one of nine members of the promotion-winning squad to commit their future to the club. Lewis White, Bart Cybulski, Saleem Akaribi, Connor Johnson, Ben Fowkes, Maniche Sani, Tosin Olopade and goalkeeper Dan Wilks will also stay with the Tulips.
That continuity should give Spalding a strong foundation as they step into the National League North, with Roberts’ goals likely to be central to their hopes of making an impression at the higher level.