A FORMER Champions League defender made his debut for Vauxhall Motors in their friendly defeat at Burscough on Saturday.
Michael Jackson, who played against Liverpool for TNS in European football’s top club competition, was part of an experimental Motors line-up which went down 2-1 to the Evo-Stik Northern Premier League side.
The visitors enjoyed the majority of possession at Victoria Park and played some sharp and neat football which would have impressed new boss Anthony Wright.
Burscough took the lead in the 70th minute when substitute Darren Brookfield made an intelligent run behind the back of the defence and looped the ball over Josh O’Connell from 18 yards out.
The hosts doubled their advantage six minutes later. After a left-wing cross was only half cleared by Lee Dames, Kevin Leadbetter sent a superb left-footed volley into the net.
Vauxhall pulled a goal back with 10 minutes to play. Although Josh Wilson’s penalty was saved, the skipper reacted quickly to poke home the rebound from close range.
Jackson made his Motors bow in the heart of the defence after signing from Newtown. The 31-year-old is a well-travelled centre-back who started last season with the mid-Wales club before signing a long-term deal with Marine in October.
He was persuaded to return to Newtown by management duo Andy Cale and Lee Williams in January, but became the first player to quit after the pair departed in May.
It is in the Welsh Premier League which Jackson has spent most of his career. He enjoyed title success with Rhyl before playing for Welshpool Town and TNS.
It was with the latter club that Jackson, who has also turned out for Caernarfon Town, Droylsden and Icelandic outfit Prottur, played at Anfield against Liverpool in the Champions League.
