Jackson isn't bitter about getting the bullet - but if he has one regret it is over the club's delay in announcing his departure,
The centre-back said: "I'm not going to start slagging people off because that gets you nowhere and it's not me at all, but I am disappointed it was left this late.

"I spoke to a couple of the others released, like Michael Flynn and Andy Welsh, and I think they are all disappointed it has taken until now to decide.

"I think people know in their minds which players they are going to keep and who they are not.

"That's a little disappointing, but I'll get on with it and I have a lot of respect for the people at the club.

"If they had told me earlier there is no way I would have caused any trouble or not put the effort in. I've never done that since I've been there.

"When you are captain of the club you don't do things like that."
As for the future, the 34-year-old continued: "I have spoken to my agent and two or three clubs are interested, though at my age you are restricted.

"I am a certain type of player and only a few clubs want that type - and I'm not 26 or 27 anymore.

"There aren't that many clubs who want a player of my age at centre-half, so obviously my market is cut down.

"But Blackpool isn't the only club releasing players this late. It's the way football is going."

Manager Simon Grayson agrees it would have been preferable to break the news earlier, but he insists that was not possible.

Grayson said: "We would probably have told one or two of the first-team lads a week or two ago if we had known we were definitely safe. That wasn't the case, so we had to do it when we did."

No-one should get the impression that Jackson is bitter, though. He has only positive memories of the club.

He added: "It has been a fantastic couple of years and I can honestly say I enjoyed pretty much every minute - apart from the injury at the end.

"I didn't think we would get promotion in my first season. I am thankful for that and for the group of players I have met and played with.

"I have made some really good friends at the club and am delighted to have been a part of it.

"They have been a great set of fans and I can't speak highly enough of them. I never had a problem with them, and I wish them and everybody at the club all the best."

Jackson wants to continue playing for two more seasons before turning his attention to management.