Profile

Ken Jackson was very much the “local boy – made good”. A prop forward, he signed for Oldham from the local Waterhead club in 1950 and the following year won county honours for Lancashire against New Zealand. In spite of this swift recognition it would not be until the 1953-54 season, that Ken became a first team regular.

Once established in the senior side his consistent performances kept him there for the rest of the decade allowing him to share in the glory days of the mid to late 1950’s.

Ken was always described as a solid and reliable scrummager who had a quiet disposition off the field of play, but was never anything less than 100% committed, both on attack and defence, when in the fray. In the Championship winning season of 1956-57, he appeared in 45 out of a possible 47 first class matches, as did his front row partner Jack Keith. Between them they ensured a steady stream of scrum possession was available for Alan Davies and co to turn on the style.

Ken achieved the ambition of all British players when chosen for the Great Britain tour to Australia in 1958. Unfortunately an injury at Riverina, NSW, early in the tour brought a premature end to his exploits “down under”. Nevertheless, Ken had already made two full Great Britain appearances and these were seen as just reward for this loyal Oldham club man.