Adam Jackson has issued an emotional farewell to Lincoln City after bringing his six-year stay at Sincil Bank to an end.
The 32-year-old has left following the cancellation of his contract by mutual consent, allowing him to become a free agent and join another club outside the transfer window.
His departure had been expected after sporting director Jez George confirmed he would not be included in our 25-man Championship squad. City explored the possibility of a loan move before the deadline, but nothing suitable could be agreed for a player who has given the club six years of excellent service.
Despite no longer being contracted to the Imps, Jackson will continue to train with the first-team squad while he searches for his next club. It is an arrangement which reflects the respect between the defender and City, while helping him retain his fitness and remain ready to take up his next opportunity.
Jackson has now shared his own farewell message, expressing his gratitude to the club and the supporters who backed him throughout his time in Lincoln.
“It’s been a brilliant six years and I’ve genuinely loved my time at Lincoln City. I’ve made some great memories, met some fantastic people and, most importantly, had the chance to play in front of some brilliant supporters.
“The backing the fans have given me and the team over the years has always been appreciated, and I’m really grateful for the way they’ve supported me throughout my time here.”
His departure brings an end to one of the longest associations between an Imps player and the club in recent years. Jackson joined us from Hibernian in August 2020 and remained at Sincil Bank through managerial changes, difficult seasons and two very different promotion challenges.
He was part of the squad which reached the League One play-off final in 2021, before helping City return to the Championship as champions five years later. Those experiences have clearly left their mark on a player who came to regard Lincoln as far more than simply the place where he played his football.
“Lincoln is a special place and this club has been a huge part of my life for the last six years. I’m proud to have represented the club, proud of everything we’ve achieved together and I’ll always have a real affection for the club.
“Thank you to everyone who has made my time here so enjoyable. I’ll always be grateful to have been an Imp, and I’ll be wishing the club and the supporters nothing but the very best for the future.”
Jackson leaves with the appreciation of everyone connected to Lincoln City. The decision may have been shaped by the restrictions of our Championship squad, but the support offered to him while he considers his next move ensures that a long and successful relationship ends on good terms.
Adam Jackson at Lincoln City
2020/21
34 appearances, 1 goal
Jacko played 28 times in the 46-game League One season, but made a big start. A goal on the opening day of the league season helped us beat Oxford United 2-0, but he was sent off in October as we lost against Bristol Rovers.
Injury kept him out for much of Christmas and New Year, and he played just once between November 24th and January 8th. Injury also robbed him of a role in the run-in: he came off as we beat MK Dons 4-0, returned in time for the final day of the season, only to be taken off 15 minutes into the play-off semi-final against Sunderland.
2021/22
26 appearances
If you were to ask Jacko, this was probably the one season he would point to as disappointing, as a succession of concussion injuries ensured he only played 25 League One matches. There were no goals and no red cards, just week after week of smashes on the head. He played once in September, then was in and out up to December 7th. He came off after 18 minutes of our defeat against Crewe, and then was seen just once until February 22nd. Widely seen as unable to play on Saturday and Tuesday, he returned against Shrewsbury, only to be clattered again, this time by Daniel Udoh in a cruel challenge, and taken off.
Almost all the injuries were concussions.
2022/23
36 appearances, 1 goal
Jacko made 29 league appearances under Mark Kennedy, 36 games in total, as his fitness became far less of an issue. In a side that often failed to impress at the top end of the field, we developed a real sense of defence, with him at the helm. Occasionally captaining the side, he regularly played Saturday/Tuesday for Kennedy.
A red card against Ipswich was justified, but an 87th-minute winner against Port Vale in April was a real highlight. We’d trailed 2-1 in that game, with ten men, but turned it around. He was named Stacey West Player of the Season, and it could be claimed this was his best campaign in a City shirt.
2023/24
37 appearances, 1 goal
There is a big argument for 2023/24 being his best season in a Lincoln City shirt, even if one or two others did end up standing out a little more. He played 34 League One matches, 37 in total, and chipped in with a goal as we drew with Bristol Rovers.
One thing about Jacko was his lack of bookings. He got three all season, a paltry amount given the difficulties in changing manager and trying to be more aggressive, but he became one of Michael Skubala’s trusted generals. He was voted as the third-best player by Stacey West readers in 2023/24.
2024/25
31 appearances, 2 goals
Fewer games, 31 in total, and once again, a concussion after having his nose broken in an assault ignored by the referee at Rotherham. It irked me because it always seemed to be him getting smashed by a centre-forward, one of the defenders we had who played the game the right way.
There was a brace for him as we thrashed Mansfield 4-1, but also a red card at Blackpool, a game in which Tom Hamer rescued us a point at the death. He did miss much of March after picking up a knock against Birmingham City, but came back strong
2025/26
14 appearances
His sixth season was the one blighted most by injury, as he played just 14 times across all competitions. There was the once-a-season red card, one that couldn’t be argued at Wimbledon, which came in one of our five league defeats. Jacko only played in three of our defeats: he was at Rotherham as we lost 3-0, and faced Exeter as we lost 1-0 in a game we should have won.
He was deemed a starter, but his last Sincil Bank appearance came on October 4th as we lost to Exeter. He appeared against Salford, Rotherham, and Barnsley in the cup, completing 90 minutes in all three, before being ruled out for the season.
2026/27
1 appearance
Fittingly, maybe knowingly, Jacko was captain for his only appearance this season, our 4-1 win against Blackpool. It was widely expected he’d be one leaving over the summer, but to get that final moment, wearing the armband as we brushed aside a team who broke our hearts in the play-offs, who he’d been sent off against, was particularly nice.
Whatever happens now, Jacko still has plenty to offer. He might be a little battle-scarred from a few centre-forwards ‘ elbows, but his leadership, commitment and ability could still easily grace an EFL pitch.
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