James Jackson, Jr.

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James Jackson Jnr (born 4 December 1900) was a footballer who played for Liverpool.

[edit] Life and playing career

Born in Newcastle-Upon-Tyne, Tyneside, England, to Scottish parents (although his father had grown up in Australia), Jackson played in the Scottish Leagues for Queen's Park, Motherwell and Aberdeen before being signed for Liverpool by manager Matt McQueen in May 1925, he made his debut on the 14th November 1925 in a Division 1 match against W.B.A at Anfield, a game that saw Cyril Oxley score his first 2 goals for the Reds in a 2-0 win, he scored the first of his 2 goals for the club in a 3-1 defeat at the hands of Spurs at White Hart Lane on the 17th December 1927.

His father, Jimmy, and his cousin, Archie, were both professional sportsmen. Jimmy played for several football clubs in both England and Scotland, most notably for Newcastle United and Woolwich Arsenal, whilst Archie was a famous Australian Test cricketer playing in the same side as the great Don Bradman. His younger brother, also called Archie, played for Sunderland and Tranmere Rovers.

Predominantly a defender, although he appeared in every outfield position for Liverpool, Jackson became a fixture of the side in the 1928-29 and only missed a couple of games over the next 2 seasons racking up 124 appearances in doing so. He became club captain for the Reds and lead them with great dignity. He was involved in some physical Mersey derby matches coming up against the lethal Everton striker Dixie Dean.

After spending another 3 years at Anfield before he decided to have a complete change of career becoming a minister in the Presbyterian church; during his spell at Liverpool he was nicknamed 'The Parson' because of his religious connections. Before he was ordained as a minister, Jackson found time to attend Cambridge where he read both Philosophy and Greek.

Although 'The Parson' never got the call from Scotland he completed a memorable double, he was selected for both the Scottish and English league representative sides.