20 Years; 20 Players: No.14 Johnnie Jackson

Back to this to take my mind away from the waiting. This past June I celebrated 20 years writing my Blog and therefore decided to pick 20 Players and 20 Places that have left an enduring impression on me.

We are at number 14 on the catalogue of Players, which are in no particular order, and taking that spot is Johnnie Jackson.

Jacko is a rare pick from a raft of recent generation of Charlton players. An infectious character who deeply cared for the club and its supporters as a player and a manager. Rarely do I look for an ex-player or manager results but I do AFC Wimbledon’s. Johnnie had that effect on people. He did on me and I have been lucky to meet him a few times.

Signed by Phil Parkinson initially on a one-month’s loan from Notts County at the beginning of 2010.

He did go back briefly to County, but signed permanently that summer and played with his heart on his sleeve and the captain’s band on his arm with distinction until he retired from playing at the end of the 2017–18 season.

Jacko led us to promotion under Chris Powell, and from his eight seasons playing I have so many memories of his indefatigable performances, often crucial goals and celebratory knee slides. There’s a couple of brilliant free-kicks in there, but the goal I won’t forget was when he waded into the Covered End like a man possessed after scoring a last minute winner at home to QPR.

That was in January 2014 just before it started to go pear-shaped under Roland Duchatelet.

Twice caretaker manager Jacko made my heart beat a little faster when he was given the opportunity to manage us for 40 games before being relieved of his duties by Thomas Sandgaard at the end of the 2021/22 season.

Jacko will always be an Addicks legend in my eyes.

Appearances 279. Goals 55 (2010 – 2018)