DEFENDER JACKSON LEAVES LUTON TOWN

Luton Town defender Richard Jackson has left the club after agreeing to terminate his contract by mutual consent.

Jackson follows fellow Hatters Steve Robinson, Marlon Beresford and Zac Barrett in agreeing to terminate his contract as Hatters boss Mick Harford and the LTFC2020 consortium continue their squad regeneration.

A versatile defender who can operate anywhere across the back four, Jackson joined Luton Town on a two-year deal from Derby County just days before the start of the 2007-08 season.

Jackson was released from his contract at Pride Park by mutual consent and the Hatters moved quickly to sign the 5 ft 8” defender – who can play at either right-back, left-back or in the centre of defence – on a two-year deal.

He became the then Luton manager Kevin Blackwell’s eighth summer signing following the arrivals of David Edwards, Alan Goodall, Darren Currie, Paul Furlong, Chris Perry, Paul Peschisolido and Don Hutchison.

Jackson began his career with Scarborough, and was the only locally-born player in the Scarborough squad at the time and he had made excellent progress with the reserves at the McCain Stadium – so much so, in fact, that he was given his Football League debut at right-back in a home fixture against Doncaster Rovers in November 1997 – a match that Scarborough won 4-0. He followed up this performance with another outing in the penultimate game of the campaign against Shrewsbury Town. He was rewarded for his outstanding progress with the Young Player of the Year award.

Appearing regularly for the Seadogs the following season, the 1998-99 campaign, Jackson’s form was attracting the interest of the bigger clubs and it came as no surprise when in March 1999, and after just two years as a professional with Scarborough, Jackson was transferred to Derby County for Ł30,000.

He made two appearances in the Premiership for the Rams during his first season at Pride Park, playing against Chelsea and Newcastle United. The following season, the 2000-01 campaign, Jackson received his first start in the Premiership at Everton in August 2000. His opportunities were limited after that as the then Rams manager Jim Smith preferred to opt for more experienced players, and a broken cheekbone sustained in a training ground accident in early January 2001 then ruled Jackson out of action for the reserves until early April. He returned to the senior squad for the final game of the season against Ipswich Town when he came on as a half-time substitute in a 1-1 draw.

Jackson appeared slightly more regularly at senior level the following season, 2001-02, making seven appearances in the Premiership – including matches against Arsenal and Liverpool – six of which ended in defeats – as Derby County lost their Premiership status.

Jackson broke into the team on a more regular basis in 2003, making 21 appearances and earning the Rams’ Young Player of the Year award in the process. Usually operating at right-back, Jackson also filled-in at centre-back and at left-back when required and he did a fine job.

However, a groin injury restricted Jackson to just 19 League appearances during the 2004-05 season and he made 26 appearances in 2005-06 as the Rams came dangerously close to relegation from the Championship.

In August 2005, Jackson made his 100th appearance for Derby County in a match against Watford – a match that Jackson was dismissed in!
Jackson was rewarded with a new two-year contract in January 2006, but played only a bit-part role for incoming Derby boss Billy Davies during the 2006-07 campaign, appearing 5 times in the Championship as the Rams won the play-offs and earned a dream promotion to the Premiership.

No longer featuring in manager Davies’ plans, Jackson – the longest-serving Derby County player at the time – saw his contract terminated by mutual consent in early August 2007 after 128 League appearances for the Rams in an eight-year spell, and he signed for Luton Town the following day on a two-year deal.

On signing for the Hatters, Jackson said, “I wasn’t really getting a game at Derby and I need to be getting matches under my belt at this stage of my career.

“I wanted to come to a team who will be challenging for promotion and I think, with all the signings that have been at Luton Town, that will happen here.

“As soon as I spoke to the manager, Kevin Blackwell, I knew I wanted to sign. His ambitions for the club and where he wants to go made my mind up very quickly.”

Jackson had a rather disappointing season for Luton Town during the 2007-08 campaign - a season that was arguably the worst in the Hatters' history.

A regular under manager Kevin Blackwell at right-back, Jackson came under strong criticism from Luton fans for his performances during the season. This criticism was aimed at Jackson, not for his lack of effort, but for his apparent lack of ability, especially his passing, which at times was poor to say the least.

However, Jackson did work hard during the season and tried whenever possible to work up the right-channel and to get forward to deliver crosses into the box.

Appearing regularly under Blackwell, Jackson's cause was not helped by playing in a defence that ended the season without a recognised central defender following the departures of Jaroslaw Fojut and Chris Coyne after the Hatters went into administration in November 2007.

He did, however, initially remain a regular at right-back under new Luton manager Mick Harford, who replaced Blackwell as boss in January 2008. With Luton in administration and docked 10 League points as a result, the Hatters plummeted to the bottom of League One and the season, which had promised so much at the beginning, quickly became one of the worst in living memory as Luton ended the scampaign by finishing bottom of League One and suffering their second successive relegation.

Replaced at right-back by youngster Edward Asafu-Adjaye as the season reached it's climax, Jackson was one of six players transfer-listed and made available on a free transfer at the end of the season by Hatters boss Mick Harford.

He appeared regularly in the pre-season fixtures prior to the start of the 2008-09 campaign, and was even on the bench for a League victory at Gillingham in August 2008. However, deemed surplus to requirements by Harford, Jackson agreed to terminate his contract by mutual consent on August 21st 2008 and he left the Hatters after 37 appearances in all competitions for Luton Town.
Story date: Thursday, August 21, 2008