Star Jackson signs one-year deal to join Folkestone Invicta

Jimmy Jackson has today signed a one-year contract for Folkestone Invicta and will play a big part in the club's push back into the Ryman Premier League following relegation.
Photograph courtesy of www.margate-fc.com

 “He's got a great attitude, great experience and he's a good lad and he's Kent based again which is what we wanted,” said Invicta manager Neil Cugley, when speaking to
www.folkestoneinvicta.co.uk.

“I'm absolutely delighted to have signed him. He's everything I want from a player.

“He'll bring quality and class to the side and he's got a great left foot. He'll give us great balance because he can play at left back, left midfield and he can play centre midfield as well.”

Jackson made over 500 appearances and scored 92 goals in two spells with Gravesend & Northfleet (now Ebbsfleet United).

In between his two spells at Stonebridge Road, Jimmy spent a season at Dagenham & Redbridge in the Blue Square Premier.

He enjoyed a successful time with Gravesend & Northfleet and played in their F.A Cup tie against Aston Villa in the 1995/96 season and won the Ryman Premier League with the club in 2002.

He was released at the end of the 2005/06 season along with a number of other players because Gravesend & Northfleet were to go full time and understandably not all of their existing players could commit to full time football.

Jackson therefore signed for Margate in the summer of 2006 along with former Gravesend & Northfleet players including Jay Saunders, Lee Protheroe, Steve McKimm and Justin Skinner.

Cugley said: “He has obviously played a lot in the Conference and these last two years he has been in the Margate side.

“With Kevin Watson going who was good with a dead ball, I wasn't happy we didn't have anybody to replace him but I think Jacko is even better and he gives us real quality to put pressure on teams from free kicks and corners so I'm as chuffed as anything to have signed him”.

With Jackson's flexibility on the left hand side, Cugley has a welcome selection dilemma and along with recent signings such as Craig Wilkins and Nick Humphrey, the Manager said their versatility will be a big asset for the forthcoming season.

He explained: “Roland Edge has gone so I was looking for a left back so Jacko could play there but to be fair young Dicko he's done well at left back so it might be left midfield but then Glydey has done well left midfield so it's nice to have a bit of competition down that side.

“Our squad is not going to be too big but it will give that competition for places and it will be manageable and hopefully we can keep everyone happy.”

Margate parted company with manager Robin Trott towards the end of last season and recently announced a new management team of former Gillingham pair Barry Ashby and Paul Smith however financial revelations have overshadowed on the field activity at Hartsdown Park in recent weeks.

“James Pinnock and Jay Saunders went to Maidstone and I got Jacko's number and we had a chat to him, a meeting last night and I went up there today and clinched the deal,” said Cugley.

“He has come to play for Folkestone and with the players we've brought in they want to be here and that's very important to me.

“Hopefully he'll prove to be one of the best signings I have ever made”.

The Seasiders have clearly demonstrated their intentions to the footballing world that they aim to be a competitive force next season and the signing of Jackson adds to the news last week that prolific striker James Dryden returned to the Club along with Matt Bourne, Nick Humphrey, Craig Wilkins and Dave Cook.

This news was also complimented by the announcement of a major new sponsorship deal with HR GO Plc.

The signing of Jimmy is unlikely to be the last before the start of the season with the Invicta boss believed to still be chasing various transfer targets.

Discussions with a new coach are proceeding well and Cugley hopes to be able to make an announcement on the matter late this week.

Article courtesy of www.folkestoneinvicta.co.uk