Simeon Jackson, a former player for Norwich City Football Club, recalls the day when they secured their first promotion to the Premier League in seven years with a 1-0 victory over Portsmouth. The memory of the elation and excitement at that moment remains vivid in his mind even after more than 12 years. Jackson explains that during the game, there was no time to think about the magnitude of the achievement, as the focus was solely on securing the win. He also reflects on his own contributions to their promotion, including scoring hat-tricks late in the season against Derby County and Scunthorpe United, which he describes as a “golden period” in his career. He attributes his success and fond memories to the supportive environment and good people at Norwich, with whom he still keeps in touch.
Jackson credits former City manager Paul Lambert for playing a crucial role in his signing and for driving the team to success. Lambert’s belief in Jackson’s abilities and his guidance in improving his skills helped shape his career. In 2016, Lambert reached out to Jackson again when he joined Blackburn Rovers, which was a different experience for him after leaving Barnsley and being uncertain about his future. With familiar faces from Norwich, Elliott Ward and Elliott Bennett, Jackson felt fortunate to have their support as they fought to keep Blackburn from relegation. Despite the challenges, Jackson describes Blackburn as a good club with supportive fans who were eager for the team’s success.
Overall, Jackson’s time at Norwich holds a special place in his heart. He emphasizes the love he has for the area and the appreciation he has for the club. Looking back, he recognizes that he was still young and had much to learn, but the positive environment and the quality of the people he worked with made it an amazing experience. Jackson’s enduring connection with Norwich and the people he met there speaks volumes about the impact it had on him.
