Bramble, who is the brother of footballer Titus Bramble, started his career at Chelmsford City and went to Southern League club Cambridge City before signing for Southend United in January 2001. Manager Dave Webb initially signed Bramble on loan before the deal was made permanent for a fee of £7,000. Bramble made over 150 league and cup appearances, scoring 40 goals, in four-and-a-half seasons at Southend United, and played for Southend in the Football League Trophy final at the Millennium Stadium in March 2004.