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Barry Jackson |
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Barry Jackson was a colossus at the heart of City's defence
throughout the 1960's.
A local lad Barry developed through junior football with Cliftonville
and joined City as an amateur in the summer of 1956, and turned
professional in December of that year. His first appearance
was when he appeared in a public pre-season practice match in
August 1956 Reds V Blues in front of a crowd of 7,099.
His first two seasons with the club were spent in the reserve
side and it was not until the opening day of the 1958/59 campaign
that he made his senior debut in a 1-0 win at Oldham in City's
first ever game in the Fourth Division. For the next 12 seasons,
Barry was a virtual ever present and his total of 539 League
and Cup appearances is a club record which is almost certain
to remain for all time.
As a youngster Barry had played chiefly at centre forward and
he did make a dew appearances in this position at senior level
and he did score a total of 10 goals for the club.
At 6'4" he was a commanding figure and played with tremendous
whole-heartedness and spirit. He twice helped the club win promotion
(1958/59 and 1964/65) and in the FA Cup third round in 1969/70
in three tremendous tilts against high flying Cardiff City,
he completely snuffed out the then young Welsh star John Toshack.
City beat Cardiff, then near the top of the old Second Division
3-1 in a second replay.
Barry received a testimonial game against Hull City in February
1970 but at the end of that campaign he was surprisingly released
by the club. After a short spell with Scarborough he hung his
boots up and worked for the Electricity Board before retiring.
He still lives locally and retains a keen interest in City's
fortunes.
Without doubt a City Legend - a great club man and a giant in
every respect.
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