At the end of the 2011/12 season, Joe Jackson came on as a substitute for us in a 4-0 defeat at Blackpool. Joe is a smashing lad who I first spoke to I think at a Clarets Mad dinner. The club had high hopes for him but he was then struck down with leukaemia, the illness that had seen him lose his sister.

I was going to go and visit him in Christies but he was so ill that I was told he didn't want any visitors. I was also asked not to pass this information on which is why I never posted it on the message board. Thankfully, I learned he had recovered and was able to rebuild his life.

You can read about Joe here.
https://www.thepfa.com/news/2018/8/1/jo ... is-masters" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

That's great news.

That's a hell of a story, impressive chap.

As I said, I knew he had recovered but I wasn't expecting all this. I'm so pleased for him, such a good lad.

Really pleased for him.
Deserves all the success he gets, which I hope is a lot.

Excellent feature from Tony Dewhurst - used to enjoy his colourful pieces when covering the Clarets for the Telegraph back in the Mullen era.

Wow! He was actually lodging at my house when he made his debut at Blackpool. I had no idea he’d gone through all that. Well done Joe you deserve everything that is, hopefully, coming your way soon.

Really brave, very thought provoking, fantastic outcome.

Great read CT, cheers

Wow that is so inspirational....all the luck in the World Joe you deserve it.

God the lad's been through some horrific times. Losing his sister, fighting and beating leukemia.


“It was a surreal moment - but I used it as my strength because at least I knew I could fight it.

“It defined me as a person because of what had happened to my dear sister.”

May the rest of your life be healthy and full of joy, Joe.

haptonclaret wrote:Wow! He was actually lodging at my house when he made his debut at Blackpool. I had no idea he’d gone through all that. Well done Joe you deserve everything that is, hopefully, coming your way soon.

You'll know him better than I do then haptonclaret - my view of him was that he really was one of the good lads. He sat with us at the Clarets Mad dinner with Joe McKee, Ross Wilson and Dave Lynch. It was a privilege to be sat with them that night.

Just bumping this for anyone who hasn’t read the story at the link

What a story and what a guy to maintain a positive attitude after all he has gone through. I really hope that he makes a success of his future career and has a happy life.
I remember that night at the dinner and all four lads were a real credit to the club.

Good luck Joe, what an uplifting story.

Good luck Joe, what an uplifting story.

Great story, such will power is a huge asset. Good luck in your future Joe.

Wow! Well done Joe. All the best for the future.

Great to read Joe's story. Also great to read about some of the stuff the PFA does "behind the scenes," especially for the players who's professional career didn't really get started.

Cass is a great business school. Good luck, Joe with you Masters and best wishes for your career as an investment banker.

Good on ya lad!

ClaretTony wrote:You'll know him better than I do then haptonclaret - my view of him was that he really was one of the good lads. He sat with us at the Clarets Mad dinner with Joe McKee, Ross Wilson and Dave Lynch. It was a privilege to be sat with them that night.

Yeah, he was a pleasure to have living with me for sure.
One funny thing was that he got sent on loan to Barrow, his home town club. So he gave me notice and prepared to move back with his parents. He reported at the club only to find.......they trained at Rochdale!!! I’d already let his room to another player so I ended up with 3 of them for a time. Happy days.

haptonclaret wrote:Yeah, he was a pleasure to have living with me for sure.
One funny thing was that he got sent on loan to Barrow, his home town club. So he gave me notice and prepared to move back with his parents. He reported at the club only to find.......they trained at Rochdale!!! I’d already let his room to another player so I ended up with 3 of them for a time. Happy days.

They do train in Rochdale, or certainly did then. No surprise given the journey up to Barrow. It's just one long cul-de-sac.

I've just read the article again - so pleased for such a likeable lad.