Jake Robinson

Jake Robinson Jake David Robinson (born 23 October 1986) is an English professional footballer whose career has spanned over two decades, showcasing versatility as both a striker and a winger. He burst onto the senior scene with Brighton & Hove Albion in September 2003, debuting against Middlesbrough in the League Cup and then becoming the club’s youngest ever scorer at just sixteen in a cup match versus Forest Green Rovers. His early promise was further highlighted on 28 October 2006 when he netted his first hat‑trick for Brighton in a League One fixture against Huddersfield Town – the club’s first hat‑trick in nearly five years – and he repeated the feat in the FA Cup a few weeks later against Northwich Victoria. After finding first‑team opportunities limited, Robinson undertook two loan spells at Aldershot Town, the second in early 2009 during which he scored four goals in nineteen appearances before departing Brighton at the end of his contract in June 2009. That summer he signed a two‑year deal with Shrewsbury Town, opened the 2010‑11 campaign with another hat‑trick against Bradford City, and later joined Torquay United on loan, controversially playing against his parent club and contributing two goals in a 5‑0 victory that helped Torquay progress in the playoffs. Following a two‑year stint at Northampton Town, where he helped the side reach the League 2 play‑off final at Wembley, Robinson returned to his hometown to play for non‑league side Whitehawk, earning the Fans’ Player of the Year award in 2015 after netting seventeen goals in the Conference South season. He then moved to Hemel Hempstead Town, scoring twenty‑four league goals in his first season, before becoming Billericay Town’s record signing in March 2017 for £24,000. At Billericay he shattered the club’s single‑season scoring record, finishing the 2017‑18 campaign with fifty‑seven goals and securing the Isthmian League Premier Division title. After a brief, less prolific spell at Maidstone United, he rejoined Billericay in early 2019, later signing for Dartford in June 2021 and Worthing in June 2022. In July 2024 he signed for Southern Combination Premier Division side Newhaven, and while continuing to play he began an apprenticeship as a train driver for Southern, demonstrating his commitment to life beyond football and ensuring a sustainable future after his playing days.