FORMER Eastleigh and AFC Bournemouth striker Matt Tubbs is already plotting a future beyond playing football – in the unlikely surrounds of Verwood Town.

Verwood-raised Tubbs has started out on the coaching pathway and is helping Adie Arnold’s side get a head start on their efforts to win an instant return to the Sydenhams Wessex Premier Division, writes PAUL McNAMARA.

Indeed, Tubbs had an eye on making the transition into the dugout as far back as the days when he was part of the Cherries team winning promotion out of League One in 2013.

The 32-year-old, who recently signed a two-year deal with ambitious National League South team Havant & Waterlooville, is on the cusp of acquiring his UEFA B coaching licence and plans to study for the UEFA A qualification next year.

And Verwood, who endured a miserable 2016/17 winning only five games as they were relegated to Wessex One, wasted no time enlisting the former Salisbury, Crawley and Pompey frontman to help their promotion bid.

Tubbs explained: "I have been through quite a few pre-seasons in my time and I have been quite intelligent with it.

"I have written down what I have done, so I would have the information in case I wanted to go down that coaching route.

"I almost have a catalogue of runs, training sessions and drills I have accumulated over the years, so I can use all of that now.

"Adie wants the players to be super-fit, but the lads handled the session brilliantly, no one moaned. They were really good to me and did everything I asked them to do.

"But I don’t think they really liked me afterwards – it was a tough session!"

Tubbs added: "I know football will not last forever and I need to set myself up with the best possible opportunities for when my career is over.

"Doing my badges now means that, when I do come to retire, I will be organised and in a good place."