SALISBURY City officials have described the offer for star striker Matt Tubbs from Crawley Town as ‘too good to turn down.’

The 25-year-old marksman, who scored more than 30 goals for the Whites last season and was joint top scorer in the Blue Square Premier, has completed his move to City’s former rivals for an undisclosed sum.

Whites were adamant that despite the club’s demotion to the Zamaretto Southern League Premier Division it was their intention to keep the striker, who had recently signed a new two-year deal.

“We had budgeted for the season ahead and Matt Tubbs was always a major part of our plans,” said a club spokesman.

“Our finances are such that we were not looking to offload any of our first team squad – we were certainly under no pressure to sell Matt.

“However, Crawley tabled a bid that was simply too good to turn down and we owed it to the player to allow him to see what was on offer.

“He has been a great servant to this club over the years and his place in its history is assured.

“But the deal is good for the club, good for Matt and good for Crawley as they are getting one of the best players in the division.”

Tubbs’ 32 goals last term took his Salisbury total to an impressive 140 in 290 appearances and placed him fourth in its list of all-time scorers.

Previously an apprentice with Bolton Wanderers, Salisbury-born Tubbs had spells with AFC Bournemouth and Dorchester Town before signing for the Whites in October 2003.

It was his goal in the closing minutes of their televised Conference South 2006/07 play-off final that lifted the club into the top flight of the non-league game.

He had already received national recognition that season after scoring the equaliser against Nottingham Forest in Salisbury’s FA Cup second round tie in front of the Match Of The Day live cameras.

The striker was then called up to the England C team, scoring twice in two appearances for the national side, enhancing his reputation among the City faithful.

Tubbs said: “I’ve loved my time there and I want to say thank you to all those who have come and supported the side over the six or seven years that I was there.

“I’ve had the time of my life there and it wasn’t an easy decision to move away but I kind of had to make the break.”

Tubbs says he hopes the Whites can quickly bounce back from their demotion and that theirs will be the first result he looks for after his own games.

“Without a shadow of a doubt! I’ve obviously still got a lot of friends there and I want them to do well and every chance I get, when I haven’t got a game but Salisbury are playing, I’ll be back at the Ray Mac cheering the lads on.”

Salisbury’s first team boss Tommy Widdrington agreed that the deal, which includes potentially lucrative sell-on clauses, was too good for the club to ignore.

“There has always been interest in Matt, but until now no club had matched our valuation of him.

“Steve Evans has now got the best striker in the Conference as far as I’m concerned and a player who could easily play at a much higher level.

“Tubbsy is one of the best strikers I’ve ever had the pleasure to work with. His dedication to his job and his sheer professionalism is something other players should aspire to.

“He is a perfect example of what can be achieved at a club like ours. He rose through the leagues with us and by working his socks off, he got better and better. He’s still young and there’s no reason why he shouldn’t progress further.

“He has worked so hard for us over the years and I’m sure I speak for everyone at the Ray Mac when I say he’s going to be missed around the place.

“But he goes with our best wishes for the future and we hope he makes a success of his move to Crawley.

“Of course it’s a great shame that we’re no longer in the Conference but we have to move on. There’ll be a few defenders in the Zamaretto League breathing a sigh of relief now that they won’t have to try and mark him.”

A club spokesman confirmed that no other details relating to the deal would be made public.

“We agreed with Crawley that the fee would remain undisclosed.”

All contracted players are back at the Ray Mac today (Thursday) for the start of pre-season training.

City’s opening friendly is away at Alton Town on Tuesday, July 13.