Jess Ibrom played youth football with local village team Heacham Minors FC from U11’s - U16’s. A prolific goal scorer at U16’s level he had trials with Peterborough United FC and Norwich City FC as well as representing the West-Norfolk Schoolboys Squad. He went onto play for Downham Town U18’s.

He progressed into men’s football playing for Wells Town FC, Felixstowe Town and Dersingham Rovers, before beginning a 5 year coaching and playing spell in the United States. He worked as a Player Development Officer developing and promoting football within a youth football club over a 9 month period. He organised formal coaching sessions, provided general help and assistance to coaches, put on clinics for both children and adults as well as overseeing a number of team camps. Was also a summer camps coordinator heading camps within Connecticut, Massachusetts and New Hampshire. Worked as the Girls Head coach at Gorham Middle school in 2001 and as Girls Head Coach at North Yarmouth Academy in 2002 in Maine.

Jess worked throughout the north-eastern side of the USA in the states of New Jersey, Vermont, Rhode Island and Pennsylvania at a wide range of venues delivering various football sessions and clinics to youngsters aged 4-18 years old. He supported coaches with Maine Metro Girls U12’s and Odyssey Sport 97’ Girls U14’s two premier soccer clubs in the state of Maine. These sides won the State Championship and going on to represent the state at the Snickers Regional Tournament. As well as coaching full-time he played semi-professional football with San Jose Soccer Club a team based in New-Hampshire.

Jess was employed as the Kings Lynn's Community Development teams' area manager for the Hunstanton/Wells region in 2003 and was taken on in September 2006 as the Community Development Officer to manage all aspects of the scheme from grassroots football through to school initiatives and the Advanced Football program for both boys and girls.