Former Brighton & Hove Albion forward Jake Robinson has embarked on an unexpected new journey—training to become a train driver! 🚆💨
The 38-year-old stunned fans when he revealed he’s three months into an apprenticeship with Southern Rail, transitioning from football pitches to railway tracks. Robinson, who became Brighton’s youngest-ever goalscorer at 16, made 148 appearances and netted 22 goals for the Seagulls between 2003 and 2009.
🎤 “I Knew I Had to Plan for Life After Football”
Despite a successful career in non-league football, Robinson always knew football wouldn’t provide long-term financial security 💰❌.
🗣️ Robinson: “In my early 20s, I realised I wouldn’t earn enough to retire from football. As much as 16-year-old me thought I’d make millions and play for England, reality hit early.”
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Moving to Shrewsbury at 22, he noticed he was already dropping down the leagues, prompting him to start thinking about a second career.
⚽ A Brighton Record That Stands to This Day
Robinson holds a special place in Brighton’s history books 📖🔵. He became the club’s youngest-ever scorer when he netted against Forest Green Rovers at just 16 years and 355 days old 🎯.
🗣️ Robinson: “I’ll never forget that moment—it was one of the best in my career. I always bring it up whenever I can!” 😆
🚆 A New Journey on the Rails
So, how did he end up on the train tracks? His father, who works at Brighton station, mentioned an opportunity for trainee train drivers. After thorough research, Robinson decided to take the leap.
🗣️ Robinson: “The more I looked into it, the more I thought it suited me. There’s so much to learn, but I’m really enjoying it.”
🔜 What’s Next for Robinson?
Robinson continues to play at county level for Newhaven, balancing football with his new career in railways 🏆🚆.
From scoring goals to driving trains, his journey is a reminder that footballers, like everyone else, need a plan for life beyond the game 💡👏.
What do you think of Robinson’s career switch? Drop your thoughts below in the comments! ⬇️⚽🚆🔥
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