Ira Jackson Jr has today signed for Grimsby Town on a two-year contract from Folkestone Invicta.

The 23-year-old striker also has the option of a third year, as he makes the move into the football league with the League Two side.

Jackson Jr was also quick to praise Folkestone Invicta and Neil Cugley and his coaching staff for helping him achieve his dream.

Speaking to the Grimsby website about how the move came about, he said: “The opportunity came about after the Manager and Chairman saw some of my footage, they invited me down, I came in, had a good first training session with a LOT of running and from there, my Dad did a great job with his conversations in order to get this move to come along.

” With the lock-down, I’ve been used to training by myself really, so I have just spent a lot of time getting in plenty of rest, then coming back to it and seeing where I was going, because I wasn’t quite sure at the time. But during that, I’ve got my head down, been training 6 days a week to keep fit, work on my weaknesses from last season and try drive forward and wait for an opportunity like this to come along.”

He realises also that without Neil Cugley and his team he wouldn’t be where he is now, and he was full of praise for Folkestone.

He added: “I just want to thank my manager at Folkstone Invicta for giving me the opportunity, Neil Cugley. He is definitely the best manager in the non-league and now, it’s an opportunity for me to be with, who I consider to be the best manager in the EFL in Ian Holloway. I’m looking forward to being at work!”.

Image courtesy of Grimsby Town