What does our Assistant Manager, Johnnie Jackson do during lockdown? He sings of course!
On the 26th April 2020 along with Grant Basey (First Team Development Coach) and Ben Talbot (First-Team Sports Scientist), the man affectionally still known as ‘Skipper’ was once again set to prove that his legs hadn’t quite ‘gone’ yet by taking on the gruelling 26.2 miles of the London Marathon in aid of Children with Cancer UK.
Fans can donate here.
Along with so many events, COVID-19 has forced the postponement (and possibly cancellation) of this annual fundraiser which has been running since 1981 and has raised literally hundreds of millions of pounds for charities throughout the UK and further afield.
But, not to be deterred in the fund raising stakes and during the countries enforced and necessary lockdown, Johnnie Jackson has picked up his guitar and has been cranking out song covers with a COVID-19 twist. He is clearly a lyrical genius with lines such as ‘..incessant boredom and non-stop drinking..’ and ‘..be sure to sanitise..’ his talent goes even further than the football field.
If you haven’t heard them yet, then take a listen to:
Good Riddance (COVID-19)...
🎶 You’ve helped @johnnie_jackson raise an incredible £5,280 for @CwC_UK 👏
So here it is...his next single, courtesy of @GreenDay: ‘Good Riddance (Covid-19)’#cafc pic.twitter.com/fQfeTzDbO2
— Charlton Athletic FC (@CAFCofficial) May 6, 2020
Just want to Play…
🎸 You met the £3,000 target, so @johnnie_jackson is back!
His next single channels @NoelGallagher and @oasis. We present to you...
🎶 “Just Want to Play” #cafc pic.twitter.com/Ph2QctJhJj
— Charlton Athletic FC (@CAFCofficial) May 1, 2020
Furloughed Tonight...
🎶 You have absolutely SMASHED through the £1,600 target 👏
As promised, we bring you @johnnie_jackson’s third single: “Furloughed Tonight”. #cafc pic.twitter.com/e0jrjlTvS4
— Charlton Athletic FC (@CAFCofficial) April 29, 2020
The COVID-19 Blues…
🎶 You donated, so @johnnie_jackson delivers!
Introducing his second single: ‘The COVID-19 Blues’... #cafc pic.twitter.com/9nFfuzMKo2
— Charlton Athletic FC (@CAFCofficial) April 28, 2020
That’s Isolation…
🎶 "That's Isolation"
Music: @paulwellerHQ
Lyrics: @johnnie_jackson 👉https://t.co/OrW8fHUCxx #cafc pic.twitter.com/v6vZ4hMrvJ
— Charlton Athletic FC (@CAFCofficial) April 27, 2020
Jacko initially arrived on loan in early 2010 (as cover for none other than Grant Basey) and he joined permanently that summer. Few of us would have expected back then that he would go on to become a modern day legend at The Valley. He has since led the team and sometimes the club, through many ups and downs as a player and now as assistant to Lee Bowyer in the dug out. Despite both his on and off field heroics, few would have credited him with entertaining fans with just a guitar and his voice rather than his left peg or head.
Of course ultimately this is all in aid of raising much needed funds for Children with Cancer UK, fans can make a donation, big or small, to the Virgin Money Giving page here;
In the meantime, we look forward to The Valley re-opening and the inaugural Jackson gig surpassing the infamous Who concerts way back in 1974 and 1976. Flares and long hair however won't be compulsory this time.