According to the Norwich City official
handbook 1990-91 defender Jamie Southon from Romford was on
Norwich City's books as an Associate Schoolboy but had not yet
made the youth side (1989/90 season). Jamie transferred his apprenticeship
to Southend United where he made a solitary league appearance
in the 1992/93 season.
Like many other players, he drifted into football's non-league
scene with clubs from his home area. Playing primarily now as
a midfielder, Jamie spent time with Dagenham and Redbridge, Grays
Athletic and Purfleet before playing in Hong Kong with Sing Tao.
On his return from the Orient (Hong Kong not Leyton), Jamie rejoined
Grays Athletic before signing for Chelmsford City of the Dr Martens
League Southern Division in November 1996. Jamie joined ICIS league
side Enfield in July 1997 on a monthly contract but rejoined Purfleet
two months later. He made 30 appearances (2 as substitute) in
1997/98 scoring 4 times as Purfleet finished 10th in the Rymans
Premier Division.
Jamie appeared in the Daily
Mirror on Thursday July 2nd 1998 to comment upon the sending
off of David Beckham for England against Argentina in the World
Cup. Jamie, a former Essex schoolboy teammate of Beckham's said
"Even as a youngster he had an attitude problem. I played against
him when we were just ten and he would get upset and even cry
when things weren't going his way. Now that seems to have turned
into a certain arrogance and petulance and I know that what's
came out last night." But Jamie added "I know he will be absolutely
devastated by what he has done. One moment he was on top of the
world having just scored a superb goal in the World Cup and the
next he is on his way down the tunnel after being sent off. I
am very sympathetic. He will take some really terrible stick at
football grounds across England next season because everybody
blames him for last night."
Southon joined Ryman Leaguers Hornchurch in February 2003. In August
2004, he joined St Albans City on a three month loan spell as new
work commitments limited his ability to make training sessions at
Hornchurch. He has since returned to the trouble-stricken Urchins
but moved to Cambridge City in May 2005. During the 2005/6 season,
Jamie moved to Chelmsford City but in June 2006, he moved back to
his hometown joining AFC Hornchurch.