John Jackson RIP

[Pete’s Picture Palace]

John Jackson was the Crystal Palace goalkeeper from 1964-1973, playing 388 league & cup games, including an amazing sequence of 254 unbroken from the first day of 1967/8 to October 1972 - in which time he saw his team win promotion to Division 1 for the first time in their history, and then somehow stay there for 4 seasons against all the odds.

He seemed to stand alone against the famous names of the day, becoming "Stonewall" as the team claimed surprising victories over established Div 1 clubs including a Cup win at Highbury in Arsenal's double season in which they were unbeaten in the league. He was a giant between the sticks, a rock on which Palace built a hard team to beat, a no-nonsense side that always struggled but always gave 100% - in the knowledge that at the back Jacko would be standing firm, unyielding, and almost flawless. It was criminal that his only official international recognition was one Football League appearance (1971 v Scottish League at Hampden) but to be fair, he did have some rather good competition at the time.

He was a hero to all Palace fans and to be honest, still is, though Palace have been very fortunate to have some worthy claimants to his throne, such as Nigel Martyn and Julian Speroni. All Palace fans were aghast when he had a falling out with new Palace boss Malcolm Allison late in 1973 and was shipped off to the Orient, against whom Palace had many battles through the 70's and where Jacko gave exemplary service over another 226 league games. He then gave Millwall 2 more years which took it to 1981 and another 79 league games.

Now, the day after Pele, he has passed aged 80 following a sudden heart attack at home. Gone, but never forgotten at Selhurst nor Brisbane Road.

RIP Jacko, the Palace GOAT keeper.

[se20blue]

Pete

John was appreciated for his only appearance in the blue & white of Ipswich Town by both Bobby Robson & the fans.

https://www.twtd.co.uk/ipswich-town-news/44031/former-keeper-jackson-dies
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[Pete’s Picture Palace]

se20blue wrote:

Pete John was appreciated for his only appearance in the blue & white of Ipswich Town by both Bobby Robson & the fans. https://www.twtd.co.uk/ipswich-town-news/44031/former-keeper-jackson-dies

Thank you, very nice to read that about his one appearance for Ipswich, though he did say "he made his First Division debut at 39". He obviously forgot about his original 1st division debut, also against Manchester Utd, in 1969. It's great that the fans at Ipswich think well of him too.

[se20blue]

Hereford United

https://www.herefordfc.co.uk/obituary-john-jackson/
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