Former Ipswich Town forward Jay Emmanuel‑Thomas has signed for Isthmian Premier League side Whitehawk after leaving Braintree Town.
The 35‑year‑old arrives in Sussex following a short spell in the National League, where he scored three goals in 13 games, including a late free‑kick on his debut for the Essex club.
His departure from Braintree came after the termination of his contract last week, opening the door for a swift return to seventh‑tier football.
The move sees Emmanuel‑Thomas drop two divisions to join Shaun Saunders’ Whitehawk, who currently sit 10th in the Isthmian Premier Division.
The Hawks have been steadily strengthening their squad, and the addition of a player with JET’s pedigree represents one of the most eye‑catching signings in the league this season.
He made his debut immediately, featuring in a 3–1 Sussex derby win over Burgess Hill Town as Whitehawk looked to push further up the table.
Emmanuel‑Thomas’ career has been one of the most varied and intriguing of any modern English forward. A product of Arsenal’s academy, he captained their youth sides and was regarded as one of the standout prospects of his age group.
His versatility, capable of playing as a striker, winger or attacking midfielder, saw him enjoy loan spells at Blackpool, Doncaster Rovers and Cardiff City before leaving Arsenal permanently.
He went on to build a well‑travelled senior career across the EFL, Scotland, Thailand and India, with notable spells at Bristol City, QPR, Livingston, Aberdeen, PTT Rayong and Jamshedpur.
He also represented England at U17 and U19 levels, underlining the technical ability and physical presence that made him such a highly rated young player.
Last year, Emmanuel‑Thomas made headlines after being sentenced to four years in jail for his involvement in an attempt to smuggle 60 kilograms of cannabis into the UK.
He was released on parole in July 2025 and returned to football with AFC Totton, marking the start of his rebuild within the non‑league game.
His performances earned him a move to Braintree Town in November, where he made an immediate impact with a debut free‑kick and a run of strong displays in the National League.
JET joined Ipswich Town from Arsenal in 2011 for a reported £1.5m. He went on to score nine goals in 75 appearances for the Blues, becoming a fan favourite for his long‑range shooting, flair and ability to play across the front line.
His two‑year spell at Portman Road remains one of the most memorable chapters of his career, and his return to Sussex football adds another unexpected twist to a journey that has rarely been dull.
