Jackson, Jimmy – Bourne to play for Grantham Town

James Jackson (b1948)

BOURNE born, after signing from Bourne Town, Jimmy started out as a striker at Grantham and scored on his debut in the first home game of the 1969/70 season against Boston FC.

Although he fitted well into the team straight away, Jimmy had to settle with substitute appearances in both of that season’s FA Cup games against Gainsborough Trinity and Oldham Athletic.

On Boxing Day 1969 he netted his first hat-trick for the club, with Stamford being the unfortunate victims, but by the start of the following season, Grantham’s first of what would be three consecutive Championships, Terry Bly was spoilt for choice with quality strikers and Jimmy was forced to sit out many of the games.

In fact, after the January FA Trophy defeat at Yeovil Town, Jimmy played no further part in the season other than the League’s final Champion’s versus Rest of the League game.

After a return to Bourne, he came back to London Road, this time in his favoured midfield position.

He played in the November 1975 FA Cup First Round tie against Port Vale, but the next few years saw precious little to cheer about, until the 1978/79 Championship winning season, although Jimmy missed out on the final six league fixtures.

The first couple of years that Grantham spent in the Northern Premier League continued with him as a valuable asset to the team, although he scored his final goal for the club on Boxing Day 1979 at Marine and, unluckily for Jimmy, often seemed to miss out on some of the biggest games.

His final appearance for Grantham came in the August 1981 County Cup defeat against Boston United, following which he returned again to Bourne Town and also spent a period of time in the managerial position there.

Yet he was always the football connoisseur’s favourite, a player who would think about what he was doing and former the foundation of many attacks.

He came back to Grantham towards the end of the club’s time in the Northern Premier League, but his only first team appearances were limited to those in the Midland Floodlit League.

This was followed by a final return to Bourne in a boardroom capacity.

He also took up golf and joined Stoke Rochford Golf Club.

He continues to live in the Bourne area, works as a plasterer and is still an avid follower of his home team.

Compiled with the assistance of Jon Barnes