Eman Okunja

**Last statistical update: 15:36, 8 October 2023 (UTC)**

**Emmanuel Okunja** is a footballer who played for **Hashtag United** (men).

Around the first half of the 2015–16 season, Okunja was attached to Southern Combination League - Division Two side Westfield, having officially signed with *The Westies* on 23 September 2015.

Hailsham Town
By February 2016, Okunja was featuring for Hailsham Town in the Southern Combination League - Premier Division.

University of Brighton
Okunja also played for the football team of the University of Brighton.

Peacehaven & Telscombe
Peacehaven & Telscombe had signed Okunja at the beginning the 2016–17 season. He remained with the Southern Combination League - Premier Division outfit until the conclusion of the succeeding 2017–18.

Hullbridge Sports
On 27 June 2018, Okunja was announced as a new signing by Hullbridge Sports. His competitive debut arrived on the opening day of the Essex Senior League season, as he replaced Chris Hales after 64 minutes of a goalless draw at home to Barkingside. He was selected to start next time out in a victory at Southend Manor on 8 August, though wouldn't feature at that level again until a 17 November win at St. Margaretsbury; as a substitute. After a further sub showing in the cup against Stansted on 20 November, Okunja netted on his first start back on 24 November as *The Bridge* won 4–3 against Sporting Bengal United. He ended 2018–19 with 29 matches and 4 goals, after scoring further versus Leyton Athletic, Kelvedon Social and future team Ilford.

After promotion to the Isthmian League - North Division in the preceding campaign, Okunja made his first appearance in that division on 17 August 2019 in a defeat to Witham Town; having appeared for the opening time for the season a week prior in an FA Cup extra preliminary round loss to Stanway Rovers. The season was eventually curtailed around March 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, as he amassed 26 appearances; picking up 9 yellow cards and 1 red card (versus Great Wakering Rovers on 26 December) in the process. In the subsequent 2020–21, Okunja scored in his first competitive match as he converted the third of a 7–0 away thrashing of Witham Town. 4 appearances followed, prior to another early conclusion due to the pandemic.

It was confirmed on 8 June 2021 that Okunja had departed Hullbridge Sports.

Sunday League
On 1 August 2020, Okunja was revealed as a new signing by Essex Sunday Corinthian League outfit Ballr. He would continue to feature on-and-off for them across the following years.

Ilford
On 12 December 2020, Okunja made 1 appearance for Essex Senior League club Ilford in *The Foxes'* 1–1 draw at Saffron Walden Town; as he was selected as their Player of the Match.

Walthamstow
On 23 June 2021, Walthamstow of the Essex Senior League revealed that they had completed the capture of Okunja. After going unused on the substitute's bench on 4 August against White Ensign, the midfielder made sub appearances versus Crawley Green (cup) and Redbridge before making it a goalscoring first start on 17 August as they beat Sawbridgeworth Town 5–0. Up until early November, Okunja appeared for the final time on 9 November as *The Stow* eliminated Buckhurst Hill from the Essex Senior Cup; though was an unused substitute on 17 November for a league match with Enfield. A day later, he announced that he had left the club.

East Thurrock United
November 2021 saw Okunja sign with Isthmian League - Premier Division team East Thurrock United. He was selected to start for his debut for *The Rocks* on 27 November in a 2–2 draw at Merstham. The midfielder subsequently appeared in December encounters with Bowers & Pitsea, Kingstonian and Brightlingsea Regent, prior to appearing in January 2022 against Wingate & Finchley and Bishop's Stortford; aside from his debut, none of which saw him play for the full duration despite starting all bar one.

Welling Town
On 26 January 2022, Okunja moved to the Southern Counties East League - Premier Division with Welling Town. The midfielder made his official bow on 29 January as *The Boots* won 4–3 at K Sports. He remained until the end of the 2021–22 campaign as they placed 15th, with Okunja's final of 13 appearances for the club arriving on 11 April in a 1–1 home tie with Canterbury City.

### HTU

2022–23
On 3 August 2022, Jay Devereux's HTU announced the signing of Okunja ahead of the upcoming Isthmian League - North Division season. He had featured across the preceding pre-season, notably scoring on debut against ex-club Walthamstow on 11 July before appearing in further friendlies with Jersey Bulls, Cray Wanderers, Aveley and Carshalton Athletic; all bar once as a substitute. His competitive bow for *The Tags* occurred on 13 August as they lost their league opener at Bury Town. After coming off the bench again in following matches with former team East Thurrock United, Barton Rovers (cup) and Stowmarket Town, Okunja grabbed an assist for Pedro Carvalho on his first official start against Brentwood Town on 29 August.

13 appearances later, having just started thrice across that period, Okunja scored twice and assisted once (for Toby Aromolaran) as a starter in a 3–0 league victory at Burroughs Park versus Great Wakering Rovers on 3 December. Next time out, a week later, the midfielder netted his fourth HTU goal during a 2-0 win over Gorleston. Across the subsequent New Year period, Okunja notched 5 assists in 3 games versus Brentwood Town (for Toby Aromolaran and Alex Teniola), Witham Town (for Percy Kiangebeni) and Bury Town (for Jermaine Francis and Max Cornhill). He then opened February with a brace in a 3–0 triumph over Grays Athletic at the Len Salmon Stadium on 4 February, prior to following it up with a third double for HTU in an encounter with Lowestoft Town on 11 February.

Okunja claimed his 8th HTU assist on 25 February 2023, as he set-up Max Cornhill in a top-of-the-table fixture at home to AFC Sudbury - which *The Tags* won 3–2. He ended the season with 42 appearances, prior to revealing his exit from the club on 17 June.

### Post-HTU

Brightlingsea Regent
Isthmian League - North Division side Brightlingsea Regent confirmed the signing of Okunja on 18 June 2023. In HTU's annual squad update video on 10 August, manager Jay Devereux revealed that *The Tags* had made an offer to keep him onboard - but he found a move to *The R's* to be better suiting. After amassing appearances against Bowers & Pitsea, Enfield and Witham Town, Okunja left via dual registration to rejoin Hullbridge Sports in early October.

Hullbridge Sports (return) (dual)
On 7 October 2023, Hullbridge Sports of the Essex Senior League revealed that Okunja had rejoined them on a dual deal from Brightlingsea Regent.

## Personal Life

Okunja works as a PE teacher, having graduated at the University of Brighton. He had previously attended Plaistow Primary School and St Bonaventure's.

## HTU Statistics

Breakdown

'*Other Cups' includes competitions like the FA Trophy, the FA Vase and friendly tournaments. See also: HTUwiki:DataIssues.*

Appearances (42)
* List of appearances of Eman Okunja

Goals (8)
Hashtag United  v  Walthamstow

Great Wakering Rovers  v  Hashtag United

Hashtag United  v  Gorleston

Hashtag United  v  Grays Athletic

Lowestoft Town  v  Hashtag United

## HTU Honours

* Isthmian League - North Division (1): 2022–23

## References

1. ↑ "Emmanuel Okunja player stats" .
2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 "Eman Okunja" .
3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 "Chobham Academy - TeacherPod - Episode 4 - Mr Okunja" , 2 March 2021.
4. ↑ "We are delighted to announce the signing of @E\_Okunja who goes straight into the squad for Saturday" , 23 September 2015.
5. ↑ "3 to go, and Okunja equalises. #Hailsham Town 4 @hassocksfc 4" , 27 February 2016.
6. ↑ "2nds MOM El Prezo @E\_Okunja solid game and popped up with the last minute equaliser! Uncle @collinsnarz would be proud" , 15 March 2017.
7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 "Emmanuel Okunja" .
8. ↑ "3rd of 3 New Signings I am delighted to welcome ex Peacehaven and Telscombe Midfielder @E\_Okunja to @HullbridgeFC" , 27 June 2018.
9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 9.3 9.4 9.5 "Emmanuel Okunja player stats" .
10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 10.2 10.3 "Hullbridge Sports - Appearances - Emmanuel Okunja - 2019-2020" .
11. ↑ "We can confirm the departure of Eman Okunja" , 8 June 2021.
12. ↑ "Non-leagues very own N’golo Kante. FC BALLR are delighted to announce the signing of @E\_Okunja" , 1 August 2020.
13. ↑ "FC Ballr" .
14. ↑ "EMMANUEL OKUNJA" .
15. ↑ "Confirmed Signing" , 23 June 2021.
16. ↑ "Unfortunately, my time @walthamstowfc has come to an end" , 18 November 2021.
17. ↑ 17.0 17.1 17.2 "East Thurrock United - Appearances - Emmanuel Okunja - 2021-2022" .
18. ↑ "SIGNING - A warm welcome to Eman Okunja a combatitive midfielder who arrives bringing considerable Isthmian level experience with former clubs including East Thurrock and Hullbridge Sports" , 26 January 2022.
19. ↑ 19.0 19.1 "Emmanuel Okunja player stats" .
20. ↑ "EMAN BECOMES A TAG!" , 3 August 2022.
21. ↑ "1/2 This is probably one of the hardest decisions i’ve had to make in football. But, I have decided to move on from @hashtagutd. What a club Hashtag is! Thank you so much @joekeith3, @devs76 & @SpencerOwen for having me onboard for what was an unreal season. ❤️" , 17 June 2023.
22. ↑ "✍️ 𝙀𝙈𝘼𝙉 𝙅𝙊𝙄𝙉𝙎 𝙍𝙀𝙂𝙀𝙉𝙏! We are delighted to announce the signing of Eman Okunja from Hashtag United. With 36 appearances for the Tags, Okunja helped guide his team to the Isthmian North Title 🏆 Welcome Eman!" , 18 June 2023.
23. ↑ "WHO LEFT, WHO SIGNED AND WHY? Hashtag United 23/24 Squad Update" , 10 August 2023.
24. ↑ "Brightlingsea Regent - Appearances - Eman Okunja" .
25. ↑ "Player Announcement" , 7 October 2023.
26. ↑ "Mr Okunja" .