Jimmy Jackson

[Hempstead Gaz]

I expect Jacko will become the leading player in the Clubs history for league appearances next term, and will become the all time leader shortly into season into season 2004/5.

This achievement deserves nothing less than a major testimonial against a top premiership club to guarantee a sell out 6,000 crowd, and bumper payout for who I consider to be the most dedicated Fleet player of all time.

Spurs (we were once a nursery club for Spurs), Chelsea or Aston Villa spring to mind.

Worth the club considering??

[mikef]

Good idea he deserves it. Charlton or maybe even Gillingham also come to mind (sorry).

 

Mike F

[Hempstead Gaz]

The problem with Gillingham is that they aren't even an especially big attraction even in the Medway Towns. At best a friendly testamonial against the Gills would attract 1500 - 2000, whereas a top premiership side should see a full house at the Fleet.

[Mepis]

Good idea and deserved, Jimmy used to play for Charlton so that may be the way to go.

[I.C.@G&NFC]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but if memory serves me, haven't we played Charlton in pre-season friendlies over the last two years? I went to the game in the summer of 2001, and we had a good turn out, I can't remember the attendance. However, when we played them last year and the attendance was barely 500?, less than what we get for a league game now.

 

Despite Jimmy's links with Charlton, I would suggest a Premiership club we haven't played before, Chelsea, Arsenal, Fulham or possibly Portsmouth.

[Alan ( GNFC )]

Pompey !!???

My son would never be tempted to watch The Fleet again .

[kmj]

Everyone seems to have very short memories! The 'Fleet actually played Charlton Athletic in Jimmy Jackson's benefit match on the 2nd August 2000. The attendance was 637. Perhaps you didn't attend? The visitors were mostly reserve team players with one or two well known faces eg Andy Todd and Shaun Newton. Some who appeared that night have since become well established players such as Scott Parker, Paul Konchesky and Kevin Lisbie. Jimmy scored twice, his first was an excellent strike too! Furthermore, as we also played Charlton in a friendly in the autumn of our Championship winning season, if the Club do agree to let Jimmy have a further testimonial match, we really should arrange it against a different side. I am afraid that it is wishful thinking to expect major Premiership sides to send a 1st team squad for such occasions. Pre- season games at home to Spurs, Arsenal and Aston Villa in each case, if I recall correctly, provided one 1st team regular per team. Jimmy deserves better than that. To get people through the turnstiles on such occasions the prospect of perhaps seeing some stars of the future is usually insufficient to stir people out of their armchairs or their apathy. Some long term planning is

required to make this future game a huge success and a money spinner for our brilliant captain.

[Hempstead Gaz]

Shittingbourne attracted the full Spurs team to the "Anfield of the South" a few years ago to commemorate the opening of the stadium. Attendance was 6000.

KMJ echo's my point exactly. Neith Charlton nor Gillingham are worthy enough for a player of Jacko's stature.

Why not Man. Utd reserves ?? They would still have about 8 full internationals, and would welcome a game against quality opponents. Lets get the application letter to Sir Alex right away. Ruud v The Duke. the cloggie wouldn't get sniff !!!!!.

[Slartibartfast]

Arsenal brought a pretty good side down for a testimonial ( I'm not sure whose but it might have been Mark Penfold ) a few years back.

They entered into the spirit of the occasion and managed a contrived 4:4 draw....O'leary scored a cracking own goal.

As you would expect the match was not advertised very well and hardly anyone turned up for what was an excellent afternoons entertainment.

My opinion of the Arsenal certainly went up a few notches.

[Student Scum]

Wasn't that the game at the beginning of the 90/91 season....?

Mmmm, nice.........600 odd games for the club, a winning spot kick in the `90 World Cup, and you're sending me where for a pre-season game....?

 

[StuThompson]

Yes I vaguely remember that game. It was my second ever Fleet game the first being against Dartford the same year.