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Jackson went through agonies to reach top
MICHAEL Jackson lines up in his sixth Blackpool-Preston derby tomorrow – his first in a Tangerine shirt.
But what most people don't know is that he's fortunate to have played in any.
In fact if it wasn't for Jackson's own powers of determination and self-motivation, he would never have become a professional footballer.
Not many know it but 20 years ago Jackson's career as a footballer was almost over before it had begun.
Aged 14 he was diagnosed with a serious back problem, and told that without surgery he would have to give up football for good.
The timing wasn't good. Not only was he at that awkward age where setbacks are hard to cope with, but he had just been offered a three-year place at Lilleshall, the national football school.
But instead of rubbing shoulders with other up-and-coming young footballers, Jackson instead had to undergo a gruelling operation.
Not only did he spend 18 months out of the game, he was forced to return to school wearing a back brace and carrying a walking stick. He even had to carry around a litter-picking device because he couldn't bend down to pick things up.
Only through sheer grit and commitment did he get back to fitness and eventually carve out a successful career in the game.
"The operation was a nightmare," said Jackson, recalling those teenage days..
"At age 14 you think you're indestructible, you don't think anything's going to happen to you.
"They told me at the time that without the operation I'd never play again.
Years down the line it's been proved that that's a load of rubbish and all I should have done was rest.
"As it was I had a massive operation at Oswestry orthopaedic unit. They flew a specialist in who knew the technique to perform the bone grafts to my back.
"In all I had about six weeks off school, and when I went back I wore a massive brace from my waist to my neck.
"It had a big bar across it to stop me bending. I looked like a robot, and I had to carry a walking stick and a sort of litter-picker device in case I dropped anything.
Dream
"Going back into school at the age of 14 looking like that was a bit of a nightmare and I missed out on a lot at that age. Suddenly I went from being able to do everything to being able to do nothing at all.
"I had to do a lot of stuff on my own to get fit, because there was no-one around to help.
"But I think looking back now it just made me more determined to succeed and prove people wrong. I knew that if I wanted a career as a footballer I had to make it on my own. It was up to me to make it happen."
What Jackson has achieved since is testament to his tenacity in following his dream and getting over the operation.
He served his apprenticeship at Crewe, helped Bury to successive promotions, played for Preston during the club's most successful period in recent times and captained Tranmere for two years.
And even though the wrong side of 30, he then moved to Blackpool and promptly led them to promotion to the Championship, a level they hadn't appeared at for almost three decades.
"I'm pleased with how my career is gone and despite the whole nightmare of having that operation and all those problems when I was a kid, I think now that it probably helped me," added Jackson.
"It made me focus on what I wanted to do and gave me the motivation to succeed.
"I think things are better for the young footballers coming through now.
"In my era we played a lot. I played for four teams in one week growing up and that's too much for a kid because your body is still growing and so you can get defects in your back.
"The year after the intake at Lilleshall six guys had exactly the same thing I did.
"So what they're trying to do now is cut the number of games that kids play.
"It all links to the debate over England and why we're not producing better players. It's because we're making them play on massive pitches when they should be playing on really small pitches developing their technique.
"I'm just fortunate that I got over it. I've had on and off problems with my back since but nothing serious, just wear and tear.
"I've been a footballer for 16 years, played 620 games and trained nearly every day ... so I've not done too badly really!"
And so to tomorrow and another appearance to add to the ever-growing tally.
But this one isn't just any old game. It's a clash between two clubs where he has made a big impression, and it just so happens that those clubs – Preston and Blackpool – are massive rivals.
Being the utmost professional, Jackson would never dream of criticising his former employers at North End just to curry favour with the Blackpool fans.
He wants to help the Seasiders win three points of course, but he is quick to note that football is just a job and he doesn't dislike any team.
And just to keep things even, his two best moments in the game include one at both clubs.
"Winning the league to get into the Championship with Preston and then getting to the play-off final, which we lost against Bolton – those were great times at North End," added Jackson.
"It was a really good side with a great set of lads and I was 90 minutes away from being a Premiership player.
"But going to Wembley with Blackpool last year and winning promotion definitely rivalled it.
"I'd been in five play-off campaigns and that was the first one I'd won so it was good to break that jinx because to lose another one would've been a nightmare."
What Jackson wants ideally is for both clubs to stay in the Championship this season. But Preston's survival campaign can start another time – three points at Deepdale for the Tangerines is all Pool's skipper is concentrating on tomorrow.
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Weather for Blackpool
Saturday 04 February 2012
Today
Heavy sleet
Temperature: 2 C to 4 C
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Tomorrow
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