Martin Badger Baker talked to Kirk Jackson on Sunday 15th December 2002 24 hours after he scored his debut goal at Northwich.
MB: It was a good victory at Northwich, but just that little bit scary in the last 25 minutes.
KJ: Yes, I think that at 2-0 we were convinced that we were going to win the game but we needed that third goal to make it definite. There was always a chance that if they did nick a goal that they would get back into the game. When you do get a lead like that, you can sometimes sit back and play deep and let them come on to you, which was what we did. But we got three points and thats all that matters. Also we created a lot of chances, which was good as in the previous two games we hadnt really created a lot of chances.
MB: You got your debut goal up there. What do you remember of that?
KJ: It was good work by Nick Crittenden and a great ball a defenders nightmare. I just pulled off my marker and thats where Im at my most dangerous. If we can get a few more balls in like that I think there will be more to come. This team is blessed with a high number of players who can deliver those sorts of balls. Weve got four players who can really run at defenders Nick, Macca, Abdu and Gav with those four defenders are going to have a torrid time. I had a great week in training and Im getting the kind of fitness and sharpness that the other players have got. If I play in all the games over the Christmas period then I should be definitely improving my fitness levels. Prior to signing, Id not played in the previous two Stevenage games so I was maybe not as sharp as I can be when I signed.
MB: You had a bit of interest from other clubs. What made you choose Yeovil?
KJ: Ive always played football and travelled from Sheffield. As soon as this came up I knew I would be moving away. There was interest from other clubs but no actual offers on the table. It came down to the ambition of the club and the full-time training. When somebody comes in for you thats top of the league, theres no decision to be made overnight by moving I think I went 24 points up the league table! I didnt live in Stevenage I was travelling and it was getting quite hard. I couldnt really sort anything out with Stevenage over that because its a really expensive area to live and I wasnt really on the kind of money where I could buy a house down there. Im going to rent a property down here and rent out my house in Sheffield and the difference is about 50 quid, so theres no real loss. When I spoke to the gaffer, he had already spoken to the four or five lads I knew from the England set-up and asked them what they thought and all of them felt that I would suit Yeovil. So for me to hear that was quite a nice touch. If your players have got confidence in you, thats a massive part of my game. If youve got the respect of your own players, youve got a good basis to get your own game going hearing that gave me a lot of confidence that it would work.
MB: Theres obviously a bit of spice to next weeks fixture in that youre coming up against your old club. Is that going to be difficult given that they will know all about you?
KJ: Yes, but it works both ways because I will know a lot about them. I just cant wait for the kick-off. Every game is massive for us, and of course it is a massive game for them. I think they are in a false position because they are a good team and I dont really know whats missing. Its been difficult to put your finger on it. They are a big club with ambition, theyve got a good manager and they are trying to turn full time as a club. Hopefully after Saturdays game their luck will turn and they pull themselves out of it. I never left with bad feelings, but when an offer comes up like Yeovil, you dont turn them down. The manager was delighted for me, the Chairman gave me his best wishes and Ive always got along well with the staff and management at the club. They got me out of a bad situation from when I was at Darlington and I did owe the club quite a lot. But as long as we beat them next Saturday, Im not bothered they can win every game after that and I wont mind!
Next Interview :
15/12/2002 : Maurice O'Donnell on the Reserve manager job and time with Yeovil Previous Interview :
23/11/2002 : Colin Pluck after the 1-0 win up at Southport Index : Main Interview Index
Kirk Jackson after he scored his debut goal at Northwich
