Struggling Bantams call on Jackson to lift them out of the mire

The former Huddersfield Town chief yesterday stepped in after Peter Taylor signed off with a dramatic 3-2 victory over relegation rivals Stockport County.

Gareth Evans’s stoppage-time winner means City are eight points clear of the drop-zone, easing the pressure on the Valley Parade board to make a quick appointment. It means joint-chairmen Mark Lawn and Julian Rhodes can take their time to find a new manager, hence the decision to go for Jackson on an interim basis.

Just how long the 49-year-old stays in charge remains to be seen with Lawn stating only that Jackson will be in charge for Saturday’s game with Gillingham and the following Tuesday’s derby at home to Rotherham United.

Bradford have been inundated with applications already and the club plan to draw up a shortlist of interviewees in the coming days.

David Wetherall will step up from looking after the youth team to assist Jackson due to both Wayne Jacobs and Junior Lewis having been placed on gardening leave.

Jackson, who was in the stands for the win over Stockport, met his new players yesterday for the first time.

Lawn last night told the Yorkshire Post: “Peter Jackson will definitely be in charge for the next two games and he wants the job. After being made caretaker manager, he is in the driving seat as he now has a chance to show what he can do. He met the players for the first time (yesterday) as we brought all the squad in for Sunday lunch at the 1911 Club. He outlined what he expects so we will see what happens now.”

On the search for a permanent successor to Taylor, Lawn added: “The win over Stockport has bought us a bit of time, as well as giving the players a much-needed lift after what has been a difficult time.

“We have had more than 40 applicants already so it is going to take time to sift through those before deciding who we want to interview.

“We may not need to interview if Peter impresses in the role. Who knows?”

Jackson has been out of football since leaving Lincoln City in 2009.

Speaking to the Yorkshire Post last night, he said: “It is a big challenge but one I am looking forward to. I really appreciate this chance and I want the job.

“I appreciate there are other applicants and the club will want to speak to other people but I know I can rise to the challenge and bring success to Bradford City.

“This is where I started my career and it is a great honour. I was at the game on Saturday and the atmosphere was terrific.

“There are not many clubs who could attract 15,000 to a game when they are in the position Bradford are in.

“I have two games and they will be tough as both teams are in the top seven. But this is a massive club and I desperately want to do well for Bradford City.”

Jackson spent two spells in charge of Huddersfield Town, leading the club to promotion from the Third Division in 2004 and to the League One play-offs two years later.

He also took charge during 1997-98, which has since become known as the ‘Great Escape’ season due to Town avoiding relegation from the second tier despite seemingly being in a hopeless position when Jackson was appointed along with Terry Yorath in the October.

Lincoln City were in a similarly precarious position when Jackson was appointed manager in October, 2007, the Imps being bottom of the Football League.

The club went on to stay up comfortably, though Jackson had to take a sabbatical in the final two months of the season after being diagnosed with throat cancer.

He has since made a full recovery and is fully fit as he prepares to take charge of the Bantams.