Chico Jackson will take part in this week’s AA Jones Legends Parade ahead of tonight’s Betfred Super League Round 16 clash against St Helens.
Club Historian Bill Dalton looks back at his distinguished career…
As a youngster at South Holderness School, Chico’s preference was for soccer – but as the soccer teams were full, it had to be rugby -the union variety.
However, his talent was noted and he was enticed to play on a weekend with Greatfield Youth Club. From there, he knew that dedication and hard work would be necessary to gain achievements in Rugby League.
Eventually in 1987, Chico was signed on by Hull FC and he progressed through the Colts and ‘A’ teams until head coach Brian Smith promoted him as far as the interchange bench, first on 17th September 1988 at the Boulevard against Ryedale-York, winning 20-10, and again a couple of weeks later at Workington, helping to earn a 12-12 draw.
Chico’s big moment came though, in the following match when Brian Smith selected him on the left wing to partner Noel Cleal, in what must have been one of the biggest left wing partnerships in Rugby League.
Perhaps not surprisingly, Chico managed a couple of tries on that full-debut as Hull took Salford to the cleaners by 44-8. He followed with another brace in his next appearance.
A couple of years later, Chico was elevated to the boiler room of the front-row and appeared in Hull’s first team until retirement in 1999.
He had earned himself a testimonial and a noteworthy gesture on his part was to donate half of his benefit receipts to the Dove House Hospice. He has also taken part in other Charity Fund-raising initiatives since his playing days.
The Hull team in those days was largely one of local born players who all held a level of popularity among supporters and there is no doubt that Chico has maintained his popularity among them to the present day.
He served as Chairman of the Hull FC Ex-Players Association for a time from 2011 and remains a popular member of that body.
Chico made some 169 appearances in Hull’s first-team and scored 40 tries.
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