Former football star Jay Emmanuel-Thomas, who faced jail time for drug smuggling, is set to make a comeback. His manager believes he truly deserves another shot.
After spending 10 months behind bars for importing cannabis worth £600,000, Emmanuel-Thomas officially joined AFC Totton based in Hampshire.
Jimmy Ball, the manager of AFC Totton, expressed confidence in giving the player an opportunity to “turn his life around and revive his football career.”
According to the Ministry of Justice, Emmanuel-Thomas was under “strict” conditions following his early release, having served around eight and a half months prior to his official sentencing.
Ball shared on BBC Radio Solent that they had discussions with Emmanuel-Thomas and his team before making their decision. “He made mistakes, that’s clear. But does that mean he should pay for them indefinitely?” he questioned.
Ball defended the club’s choice, stating that “football can change lives, and it’s good for people seeking a positive direction.” He said it felt right to give him this chance.
Jay didn’t waste time; he made his debut with AFC Totton in a friendly match against Weymouth FC on Tuesday. Check out the game highlights here!
Before this comeback, Emmanuel-Thomas was let go by Greenock Morton, a Scottish club, after his arrest for bringing in illegal substances from Thailand back in September.
This talented ex-England youth player has a background that includes teams like Ipswich Town, Bristol City, and QPR, among others.
However, not everyone is on board with his return; some critics on social media labeled AFC Totton’s decision as low-class. Ball stood firm against such backlash.
“What does ‘class’ even mean? Is it compassion or simply denying forgiveness? Having served his time, he ought to be given a fair chance to move on,” he continued. “Critics can say what they like, but we’re supportive of Jay and proud of our decision to extend this opportunity to him.”
Alex Rose, Emmanuel-Thomas’s legal representative during sentencing, described the heavy toll of his actions, noting he “fell into a temptation and made a significant misjudgment.”
According to Rose, the weight of taking responsibility for the situation has been profoundly impactful for the athlete.
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