Jackson: William (Billy)

1925-1927 (Player Details)

Outside Left

Born: Farnworth, Lancashire: 15-07-1902

Debut: v Bolton Wanderers (a): 07-09-1925

5’8” 11st 3lb (1925)

Jackson began his career with Leyland, before joining Altrincham in 1922, then Darwen in the summer of 1923 before being transferred to Sunderland in May 1924, where he failed to make the first team. He became a Leeds player twelve months later. Jackson was United’s first choice winger for most of 1925-26, until he was forced out by the brilliance of Tom Mitchell. He left for West Ham in May 1927, but was chiefly confined to Reserve-team football, making only two appearances without scoring. The games were on two consecutive fixtures, the first at Bramall Lane on 26th December 1927, when the Hammers were hammered by Sheffield United 6-2, and the second the following day at Upton Park in the reverse fixture, which resulted in a 1-1 draw. Looking for first-team football he moved to Chelsea in February 1928. Again he found himself often in the Reserves, but did manage to score six goals in twenty six League games in his four seasons at Stamford Bridge. Chelsea won promotion from the Second Division in his penultimate season with them but his First Division appearances were limited to just two. Consequently, he moved to Leicester City in May 1931, staying until the end of December 1931 and making just four scoreless appearances. He joined Ashford Town on loan but soon moved on to Third Division South team, Bristol Rovers in May 1932. He stayed at Eastville for two relatively successful seasons and played thirty-seven games scoring fourteen goals. Another Third Division South team, Cardiff City, were his next attempt to find a regular spot in May 1934, but again he was soon on the move after just a dozen scoreless appearances. His final League club was another Third Division South outfit, Watford, who he joined in January 1935, scoring once in four games, before hanging up his professional boots. He later played Non-League football for Chorley in 1935 and finally Netherfield in 1936. He died in Blackpool in November 1974. His brother Robert was on Bury’s books.