Jay Emmanuel-Thomas

Jay Emmanuel-Thomas

Emmanuel-Thomas for Cardiff City.
Personal information
Full name Jay Aston Emmanuel-Thomas[1]
Date of birth (1990-12-27) 27 December 1990
Place of birth Forest Gate, London, England
Height 1.85 m (6 ft 1 in)[2]
Playing position Striker, Winger
Club information
Current team
Gillingham
(on loan from Queens Park Rangers)
Number 50
Youth career
1998–2008 Arsenal
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2008–2011 Arsenal 1 (0)
2009Blackpool (loan) 11 (1)
2010Doncaster Rovers (loan) 14 (5)
2011Cardiff City (loan) 14 (2)
2011–2013 Ipswich Town 71 (8)
2013–2015 Bristol City 82 (24)
2015– Queens Park Rangers 12 (3)
2016Milton Keynes Dons (loan) 4 (0)
2016–Gillingham (loan) 8 (5)
National team
2007–2008 England U17 5 (0)
2008–2009 England U19 2 (0)

* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 21:14, 28 September 2016 (UTC).


Jay Aston Emmanuel-Thomas (born 27 December 1990) is an English footballer who plays as a forward for Gillingham on loan from Queens Park Rangers.

A product of the Arsenal Academy, he is a versatile forward and can play as a winger or centre-forward. In the past he has played in a variety of positions such as fullback, centre back and in the midfield but has now found his best position as a forward.[3]

Club career

Arsenal

Born in London to a St. Lucian mother and a Dominican father,[4] Emmanuel-Thomas is a midfielder who has also played as left back, left winger and centre-forward. He was at Arsenal from the age of eight, when he was spotted playing for his father's team by a Gunners scout, who invited him for dinner. He became captain of the under-18 youth team when he was just 16 years old. In the summer of 2008 he signed his first professional contract with the Gunners.[5]

2008–09 season

On 6 August 2008 he played in Arsenal's pre-season friendly 2–1 win over Huddersfield Town at the Galpharm Stadium.[6] Three days later he played for the first team in their 1–1 draw with Spanish La Liga side Sevilla in the pre-season Amsterdam Tournament at the Amsterdam Arena.[7][8] In the 2008–09 season he made 39 appearances for both the youth and reserve teams, scoring seven goals.[5] He captained the youth team as they were crowned Premier Academy League champions. They were first in Group A and after beating Group C winners Manchester City 2–1 in the semi-finals, they beat club rivals Tottenham Hotspur 1–0 in the Play-off final on 17 May 2009 at White Hart Lane.[9]

He also played a big part in the youth team winning the 2008–09 FA Youth Cup, in which he scored in every round. Arsenal beat Liverpool 6–2 on aggregate in the two-legged final, with Emmanuel-Thomas captaining the side and also scoring in the 4–1 first leg win at the Emirates Stadium. He thus attained the Youth Premiership and FA Cup double together with the rest of the club's youth team that year.[10][11][12]

He also formed part of the squad in first team matches during the 2008–09 season on two occasions. Firstly, on 23 September 2008 in the Gunners' 6–0 League Cup victory over Sheffield United. Then again in Arsenal's 3–0 Premier League victory over Portsmouth on 2 May 2009.[13]

2009–10 season

Emmanuel-Thomas was an unused substitute for the Premier League games against Burnley on 16 December and Hull City three days later as well as Everton on 9 January 2010. On 18 December he signed a new long-term contract.[14] He scored a hat-trick for the reserves in their 4–2 Premier Reserve League South win over West Ham United at Upton Park on 12 January 2010.[15] He made his Arsenal debut when he started the 4th round FA Cup tie against Stoke on 24 January 2010. Playing as a striker in a 3-man attack, he was substituted after 66 minutes.

Blackpool (loan)

After attending Blackpool's first home game of the 2009–10 season,[16] he signed a one-month loan deal with the club. Blackpool manager Ian Holloway said, "I am delighted to have Jay. He is a fantastic young lad, he has a great physique and he wants the chance to come out and play. Initially it is just a month but I hope to convince him we can build on that and extend it for a longer period."[17][18] The following day he made his professional debut as a 57th-minute substitute, replacing David Vaughan in a 0–0 home draw with Derby County.[19]

Talking about his debut, Emmanuel-Thomas said, "It was great and I enjoyed it. I've come to Blackpool to prove that I can play against men who are older and perhaps stronger than me, and that I can handle myself without any problems. Hopefully it will be good for me and will help me."[20] He then scored on his full debut on 21 August in a 2–2 draw with Watford at Vicarage Road, when his powerful header in the 56th minute went past Hornets goalkeeper Scott Loach.[21]

On 18 September, after five appearances, his loan spell with the Tangerines was extended by a further two months.[22] He scored his second goal for the Seasiders on 31 October in a 3–3 draw with Doncaster Rovers at the Keepmoat Stadium. On 3 November, with his three-month loan spell ending after the home clash with Scunthorpe United the following Saturday, it was revealed that Ian Holloway hoped to re-sign Emmanuel-Thomas on a half-season loan in January 2010.

Doncaster Rovers (loan)

On 27 February 2010, he signed a one-month loan deal with Doncaster Rovers.[23] He made his debut with the team the same day as substitute of James Hayter at the 76-minute. Emmanual-Thomas started the next game away against Bristol City and scored twice as Doncaster Rovers won the game 5–2. His loan was later extended till the end of the 2009–10 season.

2010–11 season

Emmanuel-Thomas in Arsenal colours

Emmanuel-Thomas started the season in great form for the reserves, scoring 10 in 9 appearances. He made his first league appearance for the senior team against Chelsea on 3 October coming on for Jack Wilshere in the 81st minute.[24] Manager Arsène Wenger was effusive in his praise for Emmanuel-Thomas stating, "When his fitness is right, Jay will be not only a good player but a great player".[25] He scored a goal using the "hocus pocus" skill to get past two defenders and shoot past the goalkeeper in a reserve match against Everton and fuelled speculation that he should be playing at a far higher level.[26][27]

Cardiff City (loan)

On 18 January 2011, Emmanuel-Thomas announced on his Twitter page that he had signed for Cardiff City on loan until the end of the season. Toward the end of his loan spell he was drafted out of the match day 18 in order to facilitate Jason Koumas among the substitutes.[28]

Ipswich Town

2011–12 season

On 26 July 2011, Emmanuel-Thomas signed for Championship club Ipswich Town for an undisclosed fee.[29] He scored his first goal for Ipswich in a 2–1 League Cup defeat to Northampton Town on 9 August 2011. His first league goal proved only to be a consolation as Ipswich were beaten 5–2 by Southampton on 16 August. Despite notching his first goal for the club, it was clear that Emmanuel-Thomas was still someway from his best, and was only showing glimpses of the trickery he had displayed in the Arsenal reserves. However, as the season moved into 2012, he really began to show the sort of form Ipswich fans had expected of him, despite the fact that the team were experiencing a poor run of form. After a number of long range efforts that had stung various keepers' fingertips and rattled the woodwork, Emmanuel-Thomas picked up his second and third goals for Town, as they pulled out one of the most surprising results of the season by hammering league leaders West Ham United 5–1.[30]

2012-13 season

Emmanuel-Thomas scored his fourth goal for Ipswich on 4 February scoring his first away goal against Coventry City.

Bristol City

2013–14 season

On 8 July 2013, Emmanuel-Thomas signed for Bristol City on a two-year contract in a straight player-swap deal with winger Paul Anderson moving to Ipswich. On 3 August 2013, Emmanuel-Thomas scored on his debut for Bristol City. He scored his first professional hat trick on 26 October against Carlisle United to take his tally to 10 goals for the season.[31] Emmanuel-Thomas finished the season with 21 goals. His strike partner Sam Baldock had scored 26 goals, meaning the two were the third best strike partnership in England with 47 goals between them in the 201314 season.

2014–15 season

To start the 2014-15 season, Emmanuel-Thomas was used sparingly as new signings Kieran Agard and Aaron Wilbraham flourished in attack for City. Bristol City started the season with a 22-game unbeaten run, propelling them to the top of League One and setting a new club record.[32] Emmanuel-Thomas's first goal of the season came in a 2–1 away victory against Notts County on 31 August 2014. He then went 11 league games without scoring a goal, but finally broke his duck against Yeovil Town in a 2–1 home win on Boxing Day. After injuries to both Agard and Wilbraham, Emmanuel-Thomas shone in attack alongside loan signing Matt Smith, including setting up Smith for 2 of his 4 goals against Gillingham in the Football League Trophy Southern Area Final.[33] Emmanuel-Thomas scored both goals as Bristol City beat Doncaster Rovers in an FA Cup 3rd round replay at Ashton Gate,[34] before scoring in back-to-back games against Scunthorpe United and Fleetwood Town. On 10 February 2015, he scored a 25-yard strike in City's 3–1 home win against Port Vale, taking his tally of league goals to 7 for the season and extending City's lead at the top of League One to 4 points, with a game in hand over second-placed Swindon Town.[35]

Queens Park Rangers

2015–16 season

On 12 June 2015, it was announced that Emmanuel-Thomas would join Queens Park Rangers on a free transfer when his contract at Bristol City expired in the summer.[36][37] Thomas made his competitive QPR debut in the first game of the 2015–16 Championship season which resulted in a 2–0 defeat against Charlton Athletic, he came on as a substitute replacing Tjaronn Chery in the 71st minute.[38] He scored his first goal for QPR in a Football League Cup match against Yeovil Town as they secured a 3–0 victory.[39] On 3 October 2015, Emmanuel-Thomas scored his first league goals for Queens Park Rangers, scoring a double which helped his side to a 4–3 win over Bolton Wanderers.

Milton Keynes Dons (loan)

On 1 February 2016, Emmanuel-Thomas joined Championship rivals Milton Keynes Dons on loan for the remainder of the 2015-16 campaign.[40]

Gillingham (loan)

On 5 August 2016, Emmanuel-Thomas joined League One side Gillingham on a season-long loan for the 2016-17 campaign. He scored on his debut in a 3-1 win over Southend United on 6 August 2016.[41] He then scored twice more when Gillingham played Southend again three days later in the EFL Cup.[42]

International career

Emmanuel-Thomas has played for the England under-17 team. In December 2009 he was part of the under-19 squad that qualified for the Elite qualifying round of the 2009 UEFA European Under-19 Championship.[43]

Emmanuel-Thomas is also eligible to play for Saint Lucia and Dominica.

Honours

Arsenal
Bristol City

Club career statistics

As of match played 28 August 2016 [44]
Club Season Division League FA Cup League Cup[A] Europe Total
Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Arsenal 2009–10 Premier League 0010000010
2010–11 1000201040
Total 1 0 1 0 2 0 1 0 5 0
Blackpool (loan) 2009–10 Championship 101001000111
Doncaster Rovers (loan) 2009–10 Championship 145000000145
Cardiff City (loan) 2010–11 Championship 162000000162
Total 408001000 418
Ipswich Town 2011–12 Championship 426101100447
2012–13 292102000322
Total 71 8 2 0 3 1 0 0 76 9
Bristol City 2013–14 League One 46154452005521
2014–15 3695370004812
Total 82 24 9 7 12 2 0 0 103 33
Queens Park Rangers 2015–16 Championship 123102200155
Total 123102200155
Milton Keynes Dons (loan) 2015–16 Championship 4000000040
Total 4000000040
Gillingham (loan) 2016–17 League One 5300120075
Total 5300120075
Career Total 218 46 13 7 21 7 1 0 251 60
A. ^ Constitutes appearances and goals in the Football League Trophy and Football League play-offs.

References

  1. "Search results: Jay Emmanuel-Thomas". findmypast.com. Retrieved 17 August 2009.
  2. "Jay Emmanuel-Thomas". younggunsblog.co.uk. Archived from the original on 7 February 2010. Retrieved 22 July 2010.
  3. "From youth cup to Carling Cup". Arsenal.com. Arsenal.com. Retrieved 18 January 2011.
  4. "Celebrity Bios". Koudmen.org.uk. The Koudmen Education Foundation. Archived from the original on 3 March 2011. Retrieved 13 November 2010.
  5. 1 2 "Jay Emmanuel-Thomas". Arsenal F.C. Archived from the original on 5 March 2009. Retrieved 17 August 2009.
  6. Fortune, Matt (6 August 2009). "Huddersfield Town 1–2 Arsenal". Arsenal F.C. Retrieved 18 August 2009.
  7. Clarke, Richard (9 August 2009). "Arsenal 1–1 Sevilla". Arsenal F.C. Retrieved 18 August 2009.
  8. Taylor, Declan (9 September 2008). "Emmanuel-Thomas unfazed by the big stage". Arsenal F.C. Retrieved 3 March 2014.
  9. "Arsenal Win Premier League Academy League Final". Premier League. 17 May 2009. Retrieved 3 March 2014.
  10. Veevers, Nicholas (22 May 2009). "Advantage Arsenal". The Football Association. Retrieved 3 March 2014.
  11. Taylor, Declan (17 May 2009). "Tottenham Hotspur 0–1 Arsenal". Arsenal F.C. Retrieved 2 December 2014.
  12. "Kyle Bartley". Arsenal F.C. Retrieved 2 December 2014.
  13. Rudzki, Krsytyna (26 May 2009). "Skippers' delight". The Football Association. Retrieved 3 March 2014.
  14. "Emmanuel-Thomas signs long-term contract". Arsenal F.C. 18 December 2009. Retrieved 3 March 2014.
  15. "Reserves: West Ham 2–4 Arsenal". Arsenal F.C. 12 January 2010. Retrieved 13 January 2010.
  16. Canavan, Steve (17 August 2009). "Arsenal star close to Pool move". Blackpool Gazette. Retrieved 17 August 2009.
  17. "Blackpool sign Arsenal starlet". Blackpool Gazette. 17 August 2009. Retrieved 17 August 2009.
  18. "Pool Land Arsenal Youngster On Loan". Blackpool F.C. 17 August 2009. Archived from the original on 29 February 2012. Retrieved 17 August 2009.
  19. "Blackpool vs Derby County". Blackpool F.C. 18 August 2009. Archived from the original on 29 February 2012. Retrieved 18 August 2009.
  20. Canavan, Steve (20 August 2009). "Arsenal star wants to make Pool impression". Blackpool Gazette. Retrieved 20 August 2009.
  21. "Watford vs Blackpool". Blackpool F.C. 21 August 2009. Archived from the original on 29 February 2012. Retrieved 21 August 2009.
  22. "JET Extends Seasiders Loan Spell". Blackpool F.C. 18 September 2009. Archived from the original on 14 March 2012. Retrieved 18 September 2009.
  23. "Rovers bag young Gunner". Sky Sports. 27 February 2010. Retrieved 27 February 2010.
  24. Arsenal Media Group. "Chelsea v Arsenal - Match News - Arsenal.com". Arsenal.com.
  25. "Newcastle set to rest players for Carling Cup clash with Arsenal – ESPN FC". ESPNFC.com.
  26. "Jay Emmanuel Thomas scores a wonder goal for Arsenal reserves v Everton". 101greatgoals.com.
  27. "Emmanuel-Thomas reaches double figures as Reserves fight back against Everton". Arsenal Youth.Wordpress.com.
  28. Message to Cardiff City support, twitter.com
  29. "Emmanuel-Thomas joins Ipswich". Sky Sports. 26 July 2011. Retrieved 26 July 2011.
  30. "Ipswich 5–1 West Ham". Ipswich Town F.C. 31 January 2012. Archived from the original on 24 February 2012. Retrieved 3 March 2014.
  31. "Carlisle United 2–4 Bristol City". BBC Sport.
  32. "Sky Bet League One: Swindon end Bristol City's unbeaten run, Yeovil bottom of table". Sky Sports.
  33. "Gillingham 2–4 Bristol City". BBC Sport.
  34. "Bristol City 2–0 Doncaster". BBC Sport.
  35. "Bristol City 3–1 Port Vale". BBC Sport.
  36. "QPR AGREE JAY EMMANUEL-THOMAS DEAL". QPR F.C. 12 June 2015.
  37. "Jay Emmanuel-Thomas: QPR sign ex-Bristol City forward". BBC Sport. 12 June 2015. Retrieved 12 June 2015.
  38. "Charlton 2–0 QPR". BBC Sport. 8 August 2015. Retrieved 12 August 2015.
  39. "Yeovil 0–3 QPR". BBC Sport. 12 August 2015. Retrieved 12 August 2015.
  40. "JAY EMMANUEL-THOMAS JOINS MK DONS ON LOAN". Queens Park Rangers F.C. 1 February 2016.
  41. "Southend 1-3 Gillingham". BBC Sport. 6 August 2016. Retrieved 9 August 2016.
  42. "Southend 1-3 Gillingham". BBC Sport. 9 August 2016. Retrieved 9 August 2016.
  43. Phillips, Matt (10 October 2009). "U19s through to Elites". The Football Association. Retrieved 17 August 2009.
  44. "Statistics". Soccerway. Retrieved 28 August 2016.
This article is issued from Wikipedia - version of the 11/18/2016. The text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share Alike but additional terms may apply for the media files.