Josh Umerah began his career in his native south-east London as a member of Charlton Athletic's development squad. His time at the Valley included loan spells at Wycombe, Kilmarnock and most notably at National League side Boreham Wood, where he spent a full season in 2018/19. On leaving Charlton, the powerful forward stayed in the National League, with spells at Ebbsfleet and Torquay before a breakthrough season saw him score 17 times for Wealdstone in 2021/22. That achievement caught the eye of other clubs, and it was Pools who made the decisive move. Umerah moved to the Vic in the summer of 2022 and was handed the number 9 shirt for the new season.