Ira Jackson Jr. (born 28 January 1997) is an English former footballer who played as a forward. He was most recently the manager of Hythe Town.
Jackson notably played in the Football League for Grimsby Town during the 2020–21 season, prior to this he had played Non-League football for Faversham Town, Ashford United, Ramsgate, Canterbury City, Lordswood, Whitstable Town, Worthing, Dover Athletic, Margate, Leatherhead, Sittingbourne and Folkestone Invicta.
Career Early career Jackson played for Faversham Town, Ashford United, Ramsgate, Canterbury City, Lordswood, Whitstable Town, Worthing, Dover Athletic, Margate, Leatherhead and Sittingbourne before joining Folkestone in the 2018-19 season.
Grimsby Town On 11 August 2020, Jackson Jr. joined Grimsby Town on a two-year contract following a prolific season with Folkestone Invicta that saw him score 26 goals in 36 appearances in the Isthmian Premier Division. He made his debut for the club on 8 September 2020, in a 2–2 EFL Trophy group-stage draw with Harrogate Town, a match won by Grimsby 5–4 on penalties, with Jackson scoring the winning penalty in the shootout. He made his league debut on 12 December 2020, coming off of the bench in the 57 minute before opening the scoring just six minutes later.
Following on from Grimsby's relegation from the Football League at the end of the 2020–21 season, Jackson was deemed surplus to requirements and was transfer listed by manager Paul Hurst with the player being made available on a free transfer.
On 6 September 2021, Jackson Jr. was released from his contract by mutual consent, he left the club having made 22 appearances in all competitions scoring 3 goals.
Wealdstone On 7 September 2021, Jackson Jr. signed for National League side Wealdstone following his release from Grimsby. On 18 September, Jackson Jr. scored his first goal for the club on his full debut when he opened the scoring in a 2–2 draw with Aldershot Town. Jackson scored went on to score a total of 4 league goals in 23 appearances for Wealdstone, as well as finding the net in a Middlesex Charity Cup tie against Bedfont & Feltham. On 17 May 2022, it was announced that Jackson Jr. had left the club.
Return to Folkestone Invicta On 10 August 2022, Jackson Jr. returned to Folkestone Invicta.
On 31 January 2024, Jackson announced his departure from Folkestone Invicta, stepping away from football for personal reasons whilst continuing coaching.
Coaching career In February 2025, following a spell managing the Corinthian under-23 side, Jackson Jr. joined Sheppey United as first-team coach.
On 3 May 2025, Jackson was announced as the new manager of Hythe Town, before departing on 8 November 2025.https://x.com/hythetownfc/status/1987248509049835623
Career statistics +Appearances and goals by club, season and competitionClubSeasonLeagueFA CupLeague CupOtherTotalDivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAshford United2013–14Southern Counties East League80003000110Ramsgate2014–15Isthmian League Division One South16321—20204Canterbury City (loan)2014–15 Select season via dropdown menu.Southern Counties East League61—61Lordswood2014–15 Select season via dropdown menu.Southern Counties East League91—91Worthing2015–16Isthmian League Division One South8000—0080Dover Athletic2016–17National League4010—0050Margate (loan)2016–17National League South10400—00104Leatherhead2017–18Isthmian League Premier Division0000—1Appearances in the FA Trophy010Ashford United2017–18Isthmian League Division One South12100—00121Sittingbourne2018–19Isthmian League South East Division12422—50196Folkestone Invicta2018–19Isthmian League Premier Division157——001572019–20322122—213624Grimsby Town2020–21League Two203000020223Wealdstone2021-22National League23410—21265Folkestone Invicta2022–23Isthmian League Premier Division421041—4150122023–24Isthmian League Premier Division18333—32248Folkestone Invicta total1074196—9412551Career Total235621593021527476
References