Bulls News heard yesterday about the passing of former Hereford United goalkeeper John Jackson, aged 80. Club Historian Ron Parrott remembers his short time at Edgar Street:-
'John's stay at Hereford was a short one and he only played six times in all nevertheless he managed to create a number of new records during his time with us. Firstly, he became the one and only player aged over 40 to turn out for the club and secondly he was one of no less than six goalkeepers to turn out for Hereford United during the 1982/83 season, the most ever keepers to have turned out for the club in one season.
Unfortunately, his playing record for United wasn't so memorable and he only had one draw and five defeats to show for his efforts but nevertheless, fans will remember him giving his all to the club every time he took to the field.
When he left Edgar Street in September 1982 it drew down the final curtain on John's career and he immediately retired from the game. Our thoughts are with John's family and friends at this sad time.'
Ron has also recorded John’s complete career in the following
“pen-pic”:-
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Appearances: 6 (6+0 sub.) Goals: 0
Seasons played: 1982/83
Born Hammersmith 5th September 1942, died 29th December 2022
John had already won England Youth team honours before he worked his way through the Brentford youth and junior ranks. In March 1962, he was signed by Crystal Palace from St. Clement Danes School and it turned out to be a great move for him as he remained at Selhurst Park for nine happy seasons and made 346 League appearances. John was an ever-present in 1968/69, which saw the Eagles soar to the highest summit of the Football League for the first time. Over the next four seasons, John only missed four games and he inevitably earned the nickname of "Stonewall Jackson". However, all good things must come to an end and after Palace suffered relegation in May 1973, John moved from the south of London to join Leyton Orient in October 1973. Again, it was a long stay and John was at Brisbane Road for six years and became a great fans’ favourite, generally acclaimed as probably their greatest keeper ever. One of the highlights of his stay with the “O’s” was when he helped them to 1978 FA Cup semi-final but after 226 games and at the age of 35, John decided to show off his skills in the States and Orient agreed to loan him out. He spent the 1977 summer season with St. Louis Stars in the North American Soccer League, then still on loan from Orient, John moved on to another NASL side, California Surf, before returning to the UK and being released by the “O’s” and signing a two-year contract with Millwall.
John spent two years at The Den and played 79 times before signing a one-year contract with Ipswich Town in 1981. In those days, Ipswich were a top side and were in the race for the championship all season but unfortunately, John didn’t figure in the first team until he was called up for an important game late in the season against Manchester United. It was a high-pressure game with Ipswich needing to win to stay in with a chance of winning the League. John played a blinder, he made three important saves and they won the game 3-1. Manager Bobby Robson said: "we've paid him a year's salary to make those saves but it was worth it!"
With the loss of Drew Brand, Hereford United faced the start of the 1982/83 season without a keeper so manager Frank Lord moved swiftly and signed John on a month’s loan. He became the club’s oldest Football League player and the only over-40 player ever to play for Hereford. John did a good job between the sticks but in the six games that he played for United, he failed to finish on the winning side. After leaving Edgar Street, John finally retired from the game.
After retirement, John had many jobs,
including installing and fitting blinds, working for a golf magazine and
selling golf equipment. John did eventually return to football when he became
the goalkeeping coach for Brighton & Hove Albion and most recently, he was
working as a courier for Lewes District Council.