Jamie_Brooks_(footballer)
Jamie Brooks
English footballer
Jamie Brooks (born 12 August 1983) is an English former footballer.
Brooks came through the youth system at Oxford United, playing as a striker. He marked his first-team debut, as a 17-year-old, with a goal and an assist at the end of the 2001–02 season.[1] In his first season at the Kassam Stadium he walked away with all four player of the year awards.[2] He was due to go on trial with Arsenal with a view to a move to the Premiership club, but the day before the trial[3] he was rushed to hospital, fighting for his life.[2] The mystery illness was later diagnosed as Guillain–Barré syndrome. He was in intensive care for over four months.[4] It took Brooks over a year to recover[5] and on his return to the game, he went on loan to Maidenhead United.[6]
In February 2004 he joined Tamworth on loan until the end of the season[4] and scored for the club on his debut.[7] Further loan spells followed with Slough Town[8] and Brackley Town.[3]
He was released by Oxford in May 2006[9] but rejoined the club in September as a coach at the Centre of Excellence, responsible for coaching the under-9 age group.[10]
Dropping down to non-league level, he joined Didcot Town in July 2006, despite having been offered a two-year professional contract by a club in the northwest of England.[11] His next move was to Abingdon United in July 2007.[12] He joined Oxford City in September 2008,[13] remaining with the club until August 2010.[14] He rejoined Abingdon the following month.[15]
In July 2012, it was announced that he had signed for Witney Town of the Hellenic Premier Division.[16] He joined Abingdon Town in July 2013.