John Jackson (footballer, born 1942)

John Keith Jackson (5 September 1942 – 29 December 2022) was an English footballer who made 656 appearances in the Football League playing as a goalkeeper for Crystal Palace, Leyton Orient, Millwall, Ipswich Town and Hereford United.[3] He also played for St. Louis Stars[2] and California Surf[2] of the North American Soccer League.

John Jackson
Personal information
Full name John Keith Jackson[1]
Date of birth (1942-09-05)5 September 1942
Place of birth Hammersmith, England
Date of death 29 December 2022(2022-12-29) (aged 80)
Position(s) Goalkeeper
Youth career
Brentford
Crystal Palace
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1964–1973 Crystal Palace 346 (0)
1973–1979 Leyton Orient 226 (0)
1977St. Louis Stars (loan)[2] 17 (0)
1978California Surf (loan)[2] 13 (0)
1979–1981 Millwall 79 (0)
1981–1982 Ipswich Town 1 (0)
1982–1983 Hereford United 4 (0)
Total 686 (0)
International career
England youth team
1971 The Football League XI 1 (0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Career

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Jackson was born in Hammersmith and began his career as a junior with Crystal Palace, signing from St Clement Danes School in March 1962.[4] He also spent time with Brentford as a junior.[5] He was initially understudy to Bill Glazier but when Glazier left in 1964, vied successfully for the goalkeeping position with Tony Millington.[4] He then went on to make 222 consecutive appearances and was ever present in the 1968–69 season which saw Palace reach the top flight for the first time.[4] In the club's subsequent four seasons in the top division Jackson missed only four games.[4] After Palace were relegated in 1973, he moved to Leyton Orient, where he stayed for six years. After that, two years at Millwall was followed by a year with Ipswich, and Jackson finished his career with Hereford United, after 19 years as a goalkeeper.[3] In 1983 he was signed by Brighton & Hove Albion as cover when they reached the FA Cup Final.

His one league appearance for Ipswich was in a high-pressure match against Manchester United, with Ipswich needing to win to stay in with a chance of winning the League Championship. Jackson received a standing ovation at the end of his first top flight match for seven years, having made three important saves in Town's 2–1 win. Ipswich manager Bobby Robson said: "We have paid him a year's salary to make those saves, but it was worth it!"[6]

His nickname, reflecting the Palace supporters' respect for his safe hands, was "Stonewall", inspired by the Confederate general from the American Civil War.[citation needed]

International career

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Prior to signing for Crystal Palace Jackson had already won England youth team honours and in March 1971, represented the Football League against the Scottish League.[4]

Later life and death

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After retiring from football Jackson had many jobs including working for a golf magazine, then selling golf equipment after which for a time he was goalkeeping coach for Brighton & Hove Albion F.C.; and most recently reported as working as a courier for Lewes (district) council.[7]

Jackson died on 29 December 2022, at the age of 80.[8]

References

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  1. ^ Mike Purkiss & Nigel Sands. Crystal Palace: A Complete Record 1905–1989. p. 330. ISBN 0907969542.
  2. ^ a b c d "John Jackson". North American Soccer League Players. Retrieved 14 March 2015.
  3. ^ a b "John Jackson". UK A–Z Transfers. Neil Brown. Retrieved 16 September 2009.
  4. ^ a b c d e Mike Purkiss & Nigel Sands. Crystal Palace: A Complete Record 1905–1989. p. 77. ISBN 0907969542.
  5. ^ Brentford Official Matchday Magazine versus Plymouth Argyle 05/04/99. Blackheath: Morganprint. 1999. p. 19.
  6. ^ The Guardian, p 20, 21 April 1982
  7. ^ Maul, Rob (8 May 2005). "Caught in Time Leyton Orient reach the 1978 FA Cup semifinal". The Times. London.
  8. ^ "John Jackson". Leyton Orient. 30 December 2022. Retrieved 30 December 2022.