A back problem was the cause of Jacko's absence, however by July he was back between the sticks in what was largely an unsuccessful season outdoors for the BGFC. One notable point from that season was only champions Ashby Fine Arts put three past Jackson.

 

Now the back problem is twice as bad.

 

Jacko joined in April 1993 and took the job no-one wanted - the goalkeeper! He claimed that he did not want to play outfield because his fast approaching forty year old knees simply would not stand up to the pace.

 

It was soon obvious that this admission had been to the BGFC's strength as Jacko turned in some fine performances and on July 1st 1993, deserved his Division Two champions trophy more than anyone else. Jacko being Jacko gave it to his youngest son Michael.

 

A second outdoor season saw him badly injure a finger and Dave Padgett, who was initially the first-choice keeper who had been sidelined with bad knees got his chance. It was Jacko though who was back in the Number One jersey by the end of the season. Against WASPS in September 1993, Jacko was awarded the right to take a penalty and spooning it way over the bar will be one of the few blots on his copybook.

 

Indeed his then-manager Mark Monk paid an astonishing tribute to Jacko in October 1993. Monk said: "As a goalkeeper, he is the best in the league. I would not swop him for any other."

 

When Martyn Sharrocks succeeded Monk in April 1994, a goalkeeper was not even on the shopping list even though Shabba had a huge rebuilding task on his hands. Jacko was cemented firmly as a stalwart.

 

In July 1994 however, Mr Monk turned up like a bad penny and side-footed home a rare goal past Jacko in the shock result of that year, when Monk's BG Youth team beat the senior side 2-0. Jacko dismissed his ex-bosses goal as "a fluke". This drew an angry response from Monk, who clearly had burned his Alan Jackson fan-club membership card.

 

"I don't give a toss what Jacko says, the fact of the matter is I put a goal past him and he had to pick it out the back of the net. Whether I scored from four yards or forty is irrelevent".

 

In the two games Jacko has played since last November, he has been at his usual, inspiring, brilliant best. But what of the physical cost. He told NMTBG "Standing up where I work all day does not really help".

 

So could this be it? will Jacko finally hang up his gloves? The BG fans will be shocked and heartbroken to hear this, not to mention Margaret Rose who has only just managed to remember his name!