Jackie Grant

Jackie Grant was a tough little terrier of a man who was strong in the tackle. One of the smallest wing-halves in the game, he spent 14 seasons at Everton, where he was a colleague of Harry Catterick and Wally Fielding; both later signed him at Rochdale and Southport, respectively. At Goodison Park, he was a regular in just 1950–51—Everton’s relegation season—when he was an ever-present at right-half, making 122 appearances all told. He became an integral part of Everton’s Central League side after failing to hold down a League place. He made over 100 appearances for Rochdale.In October 1958, he turned out for Rochdale Reserves, who drew with Southport ‘A’ at Meols Park, and three months later came to Haig Avenue as Wally Fielding’s first signing. He was unlucky with cartilage trouble in 1959–60 and had a long spell on the injured list. In November 1960, he was one of five players placed on offer by the club, and although he failed to make a League appearance in 1960, he played 28 out of 34 for the Reserve side, which won promotion from the Second Division of the Lancashire Combination.He later scouted for Blackburn Rovers and continues to live close to Goodison Park. His son David played briefly for Wrexham in 1966–67.

Profile reproduced with Permission from:
The Sandgrounders: The Complete League History of Southport F. C., by Michael Braham and Geoff Wilde (Palatine Books, 1995). ISBN 978-1-874181-14-9