Dave Tarpey, Hartlepool, Hartlepool United, HUFC, Magpies, Maidenhead, Maidenhead United, National League, NLP, Non-League, Non-League Paper, Tarpey

Dave Tarpey’s magic lights up the Net as pro move looms

Pic: Marc Keinch

DAVE TARPEY had absolutely no idea just how great his now world-famous goal was last weekend until he watched it back online – and he hasn't put his phone down since!

The striker's incredible Bergkamp-esque attempt against last weekend was one of his four goals.

It also had a touch of the Matt Le Tissiers about it – Tarpey's sublime backheel over the defender's head and well-executed finish has been described as one of 's best ever goals.

Not only that, but it has contributed to the 28-year-old almost certainly landing his first ever professional contract in the New Year with a big move looming.

understands champions Cheltenham Town lead the way with an offer being discussed.

A January switch is highly likely on the back of his best ever season – his 26 goals so far means Tarpey has been impossible to ignore with MK Dons, , Walsall, Wycombe and Bristol Rovers also all linked.

“I didn't know how good the goal was until I saw it back,” he said. “I wasn't sure if it bounced before, but I thought the ball fell just behind me. I was pleased with the finish, that I was happy with at the time, but when you play you sometimes go into your own world a bit.

“It's fair to say I have seen it back a few times. I watch it every time somebody tweets me so it's been played on my phone a fair few hundred times probably! It's been everywhere, even on Italian national TV.”

Interest

Tarpey is loving life under Alan Devonshire at the league leading Magpies but the ex-Hampton man is aware of the interest in him – and knows his last chance of pro football could be around the corner.

He said: “I have seen that a few clubs have been down so if anything happens it happens. I'm trying not to let it distract me as this is an important time of the year.

“My day job is fitting security systems and I've already spoken to my boss and asked him his thoughts if something was to materialise. He's right behind me, so we'll see if it does or not.

Happy

“It's always been a huge goal of mine to play in the Football League as a professional and I thought the dream had passed me by being 28. If I get the change then great, if not I'm still proud of my achievements.”

But whatever does happen, he's sure to get plenty of stick from his hard-to-please pals at Maidenhead.

“The squad here are brilliant but they still give me grief,” he added. “I always set a target of 20 goals and they told me I had to aim for 30. I'm getting close to that already but even now they're telling me that if I had taken all my chances I would have had 70 by now!

“I tell them you've got to be there to miss them but I'm happy with what I've got so far.”

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