Ira Jackson Jr
{{short description|English footballer (born 1997)}}
{{use dmy dates|date=November 2020}}
{{Use British English|date=January 2020}}
{{Infobox football biography
| name = Ira Jackson Jr.
| image = Ira Jackson Jr March 2019.jpg
| caption = Jackson in March 2019
| fullname =
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1997|01|28|df=y}}
| birth_place = Ashford, England
| height =
| position = Forward
| currentclub = Hythe Town (manager)
| years1 = 2013
| clubs1 = Faversham Town
| caps1 =
| goals1 =
| years2 = 2013–2014
| clubs2 = Ashford United
| caps2 = 8
| goals2 = 0
| years3 = 2014–2015
| clubs3 = Ramsgate
| caps3 = 16
| goals3 = 3
| years4 = 2014–2015
| clubs4 = → Canterbury City (loan)
| caps4 = 6
| goals4 = 1
| years5 = 2015
| clubs5 = Lordswood
| caps5 = 9
| goals5 = 1
| years6 = 2015–2016
| clubs6 = Whitstable Town
| caps6 =
| goals6 =
| years7 = 2016
| clubs7 = Worthing
| caps7 = 8
| goals7 = 0
| years8 = 2016–2017
| clubs8 = Dover Athletic
| caps8 = 4
| goals8 = 0
| years9 = 2017
| clubs9 = → Margate (loan)
| caps9 = 10
| goals9 = 4
| years10 = 2017
| clubs10 = Leatherhead
| caps10 = 0
| goals10 = 0
| years11 = 2017–2018
| clubs11 = Ashford United
| caps11 = 12
| goals11 = 1
| years12 = 2018
| clubs12 = Sittingbourne
| caps12 = 12
| goals12 = 4
| years13 = 2018–2020
| clubs13 = Folkestone Invicta
| caps13 = 47
| goals13 = 28
| years14 = 2020–2021
| clubs14 = Grimsby Town
| caps14 = 20
| goals14 = 3
| years15 = 2021–2022
| clubs15 = Wealdstone
| caps15 = 23
| goals15 = 4
| years16 = 2022–2024
| clubs16 = Folkestone Invicta
| caps16 = 60
| goals16 = 21
| totalcaps = 235
| totalgoals = 62
| club-update = 17:51, 31 January 2024 (UTC)
| manageryears1 = 2025–
| managerclubs1 = Hythe Town
}}
Ira Jackson Jr. (born 28 January 1997) is an English former footballer who played as a forward. He is currently the manager of Hythe Town.
Jackson notably played in the Football League for Grimsby Town during the 2020–21 season, prior to this he had played Non-League football for Faversham Town, Ashford United, Ramsgate, Canterbury City, Lordswood, Whitstable Town, Worthing, Dover Athletic, Margate, Leatherhead, Sittingbourne and Folkestone Invicta.
Career
=Early career=
Jackson played for Faversham Town,{{Cite web|url=https://www.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=970573086699993&id=316586235432018|title=Faversham Town FC|website=www.facebook.com|accessdate=1 May 2021}} Ashford United, Ramsgate, Canterbury City, Lordswood, Whitstable Town, Worthing, Dover Athletic, Margate, Leatherhead and Sittingbourne before joining Folkestone in the 2018-19 season.
=Grimsby Town=
On 11 August 2020, Jackson Jr. joined Grimsby Town on a two-year contract following a prolific season with Folkestone Invicta that saw him score 26 goals in 36 appearances in the Isthmian Premier Division.{{cite web|url=https://www.grimsby-townfc.co.uk/news/2020/august/jackson-signs-for-the-mariners/|title=Jackson Signs For The Mariners|website=www.grimsby-townfc.co.uk|date=11 August 2020|accessdate=17 November 2020}}{{dead link|date=December 2024|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}} He made his debut for the club on 8 September 2020, in a 2–2 EFL Trophy group-stage draw with Harrogate Town, a match won by Grimsby 5–4 on penalties, with Jackson scoring the winning penalty in the shootout.{{cite web|url=https://www.grimsby-townfc.co.uk/news/2020/september/match-report-for-grimsby-town-vs-harrogate-town-on-08-sep-20/|title=Grimsby Town 2-2 Harrogate Town (5-4 on penalties)|website=www.grimsby-townfc.co.uk|date=8 September 2020|accessdate=17 November 2020}}{{dead link|date=December 2024|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}} He made his league debut on 12 December 2020, coming off of the bench in the 57 minute before opening the scoring just six minutes later.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/55197043|title=Grimsby Town 1–1 Mansfield Town|publisher=BBC Sport|date=12 December 2020|accessdate=13 December 2020}}
Following on from Grimsby's relegation from the Football League at the end of the 2020–21 season, Jackson was deemed surplus to requirements and was transfer listed by manager Paul Hurst with the player being made available on a free transfer.{{Cite news|url=https://www.grimsbytelegraph.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/grimsby-town-players-free-transfers-5585910|title = Grimsby Town make seven players available for free transfers|newspaper = Grimsbylive|date = 29 June 2021}}
On 6 September 2021, Jackson Jr. was released from his contract by mutual consent, he left the club having made 22 appearances in all competitions scoring 3 goals.{{cite news| url = https://www.grimsbytelegraph.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/grimsby-town-ira-jackson-leaves-5879527| title = Grimsby Town confirm departure of Ira Jackson Jr as striker has contract terminated - Grimsby Live| newspaper = Grimsbylive| date = 6 September 2021}}
=Wealdstone=
On 7 September 2021, Jackson Jr. signed for National League side Wealdstone following his release from Grimsby.{{cite web| url = https://www.wealdstone-fc.com/post/new-signing-stones-sign-striker-jackson| title = NEW SIGNING {{!}} Stones sign striker Jackson| date = 7 September 2021}} On 18 September, Jackson Jr. scored his first goal for the club on his full debut when he opened the scoring in a 2–2 draw with Aldershot Town.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/58525622|title=Wealdstone 2–2 Aldershot Town|publisher=BBC Sport|date=18 September 2021|accessdate=21 September 2021}} Jackson scored went on to score a total of 4 league goals in 23 appearances for Wealdstone, as well as finding the net in a Middlesex Charity Cup tie against Bedfont & Feltham.{{cite web | url=https://www.wealdstone-fc.com/post/match-report-bedfont-feltham-2-1-wealdstone | title=MATCH REPORT | Bedfont & Feltham 2-1 Wealdstone | date=30 November 2021 }} On 17 May 2022, it was announced that Jackson Jr. had left the club.{{cite web | url=https://www.wealdstone-fc.com/post/player-news-six-depart-the-club | title=PLAYER NEWS | Six depart the club | date=17 May 2022 }}
= Return to Folkestone Invicta =
On 10 August 2022, Jackson Jr. returned to Folkestone Invicta.{{Cite web |title=Ira Jackson Returns To Invicta - News - Folkestone Invicta Football Club |url=https://www.folkestoneinvictafc.co.uk/news/3930 |access-date=2022-08-10 |website=www.folkestoneinvictafc.co.uk}}
On 31 January 2024, Jackson announced his departure from Folkestone Invicta, stepping away from football for personal reasons whilst continuing coaching.{{cite web|url=https://folkestoneinvictafc.co.uk/2024/01/club-statement-ira-jackson-jr/|title=Club Statement: Ira Jackson Jr|website=folkestoneinvictafc.co.uk|date=31 January 2024|accessdate=31 January 2024}}
Coaching career
In February 2025, following a spell managing the Corinthian under-23 side, Jackson Jr. joined Sheppey United as first-team coach. {{cite web|url=https://www.kentonline.co.uk/sheerness/sport/retired-striker-making-his-way-off-the-pitch-320603/|title=Ira Jackson Jr quit Folkestone Invicta last year to concentrate on a coaching career and he’s currently helping the Sheppey United first team after a spell as Corinthian under-23s manager|publisher=Kent Online|last=Cawdell|first=Luke|date=28 February 2025|accessdate=23 March 2025}}
On 3 May 2025, Jackson was announced as the new manager of Hythe Town.
Career statistics
{{notelist}}
References
{{reflist}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Jackson, Ira Jr}}
Category:English men's footballers
Category:Sportspeople from Ashford, Kent
Category:Footballers from Kent
Category:Men's association football wingers
Category:Faversham Town F.C. players
Category:Ashford United F.C. players
Category:Ramsgate F.C. players
Category:Canterbury City F.C. players
Category:Lordswood F.C. players
Category:Whitstable Town F.C. players
Category:Worthing F.C. players
Category:Dover Athletic F.C. players
Category:Leatherhead F.C. players
Category:Sittingbourne F.C. players
Category:Folkestone Invicta F.C. players
Category:Grimsby Town F.C. players
Category:Wealdstone F.C. players
Category:Isthmian League players
Category:Southern Counties East Football League players
Category:National League (English football) players
Category:English Football League players