Ira Jackson leaves Folkestone Invicta to sign for Grimsby Town

IRA JACKSON has left Folkestone Invicta to sign an initial two-year contract, with the option of a further year at League Two side Grimsby Town.

The 23-year-old striker joins The Mariners after scoring 26 goals in 36 starts for the Isthmian League Premier Division side and is looking forward to working under boss Ian Holloway at Blundell Park.

“The opportunity came about after the manager and chairman saw some of my footage, they invited me down,” Jackson told Grimsby Town’s website.

“I came in, had a good first training session with a lot of running and from there my Dad did a great job with his conversations in order to get this move to come along.”

Jackson was full of praise for Folkestone Invicta manager Neil Cugley during his time at Cheriton Road.

“I just want to thank my manager at Folkestone Invicta for giving me the opportunity, Neil Cugley,” added Jackson.

“He is definitely the best manager in the non-league and now, it’s an opportunity for me to be with, who I consider to be the best manager in the EFL in Ian Holloway. I’m looking forward to being at work.”

Jackson was also full of admiration for his new manager, explaining just how influential he was in making the move up to Grimsby.

“I think he was pretty much 95% of the influence in me coming here, to be honest,” he said.

“As soon as I heard that Ian Holloway was interested in me as a player and some of the stuff he was saying to me and my Dad about me as a player and what I could potentially go on to do, it was like a godsend.  It’s a perfect opportunity to come work under a manager with Premier League experience and I want to push on.  It’s about taking this opportunity well.”

Visit Grimsby Town’s website: www.grimsby-townfc.co.uk