Former Oldham Athletic, Bangor City, Wigan Athletic and Mossley central defender Albert Jackson sadly passed away after a lengthy illness in Dr Kershaw’s Hospice in Oldham on Tuesday last, 2nd December 2014, aged 71.

Born in Manchester on 12th September 1943, Albert Jackson was a centre forward who converted to become a tough tackling centre half.

He began his career as a junior with Manchester United before joining Oldham Athletic early in 1963.

He joined Mossley for the first time under Don Wilson’s management in a loan spell in March 1963 making 2 appearances before returning to the Latics.

He then went on to make 22 first team appearances for Oldham over the course of the following two seasons, scoring 4 Football League goals.

He was released by the Latics and moved to Bangor City in 1966 and was a regular in the heart of the Bangor defence for the next six years before moving to Wigan Athletic in 1972.

Three years at Wigan saw Jackson run up 108 appearances scoring 27 goals captaining the Latics in the 1973 FA Trophy Final at Wembley Stadium before helping them to the Northern Premier League title in 1974/75.

Jackson signed for Mossley for a second time, this time under the guidance of Bob Murphy, in November 1975 following a brief return to Bangor City.

He made his Mossley debut in a 2-2 draw against Runcorn in an FA Trophy tie on 29th November 1975.

Jackson went on to play 90 games in two seasons for Mossley scoring 2 goals (ironically both his goals came in the same game, a 6-2 win over Worksop Town in February 1976), which was one of his only two Mossley appearances as a centre forward.

He formed a strong central defensive partnership at Mossley with ex Huddersfield Town and Leeds United centre half Roy Ellam during his time at the club.

Jackson also spent the closed season's of 1974 and 75 playing in the USA for Dallas Tornado in the NASL with some success.

He remained at Mossley when Howard Wilkinson replaced Murphy in December 1976 but transferred to Droylsden at the end of the season, playing the final two seasons of his career for the Bloods, captaining the side when they beat Football League side Rochdale in the FA Cup in 1978.

Jackson could and would tackle a runaway rhino, especially if he looked like threatening the goal! Also a menace in the opposition box at set pieces, a genuine character who became very well known in non league circles in the North West.