Jackson was born in Glasgow where he grew up with Sisters Jean and Shirley, and brother Jim. He joined Birmingham City from junior club Shettleston for a fee of £2,000 in April 1958. He made his debut in the First Division on 15 November 1958, deputising for Eddy Brown in a home game against Newcastle United which Birmingham won 1–0. Jackson had a run of five games at centre forward a few weeks later, but despite scoring six goals in those five games, his first-team football was restricted to the FA Cup thereafter, and new arrival Robin Stubbs stepped into the league side.Matthews, p. 194.
