Following his decision to take up a new challenge at Leeds United on Monday, Mark Jackson took some time out to discuss all things Farsley Celtic, a club close to his heart.

‘I start my new role on Monday and I am really looking forward to it. I am sure the new challenge will be great for me, but it has certainly been a big wrench for me to leave this fantastic club and my job at the college. I have been here since 2007 and it feels like home’

‘I joined the club when we were in the Conference and then we obviously went down to the Conference North in the season that saw the club fold. The Administrators eventually took the club away from us and it was heart-breaking that year. I spoke at length with Neil (Parsley) throughout that summer and we decided we had to give it a go in getting things back together for the club and the supporters’

‘That first season in the North East Counties League was definitely a difficult one. There were some teams in the league that season that were definitely challenging. The likes of Parkgate, Scarborough, Winterton and Bridlington were all up there challenging us throughout the season. It was a difficult challenge, but we kept going until the end and got our rewards with the fantastic run that we went on. We also won the League Cup that season which was an added bonus, but to get out of the League and to where we are now was the biggest achievement’

‘As age and injuries caught up with me I decided to make the transition into coaching, and ultimately the Assistant Manager role at the club, which I have loved. I felt that it was a natural progression for me to make that move and try and bring on some of the younger players, which has brought a great deal of pride’

‘It has been great to see the crop of players that have come through the Academy system, with the likes of Tom Taylor, Josh Grant, Jake Lofthouse, Kyle Hancock and Lewis Sugden currently in the first team squad. The link that Farsley Celtic has with the Academy at Leeds City College remains strong, and I believe it is a massive way of the club moving forward. Neil will continue to work with whoever takes over my role with the Academy to continue what has been a great link for the football club’ Anthony Gallagher also needs a lot of praise for the success the academy has brought. His role and support at the College has been fantastic and has made the link what it is today.

‘I have to say one huge thank you to John Palmer, who has helped me out in so many ways over the years. He has supported me 110% in every position that I have held within the club. When the club folded I was essentially out of work and I didn’t really know what to do. John gave me a job at his landscaping business and I really cannot thank him enough. He is such a great person and a great friend’

‘I would also like to thank Margaret Palmer and John and Dot Farrell who were instrumental in getting the club up and running again. The hours that they put in behind the scenes is incredible and they have always been brilliant with me’

‘Josh Greaves has been a fantastic help over the years. What do you say about the man? The support that he has given to me and Neil on a daily basis is second to none. I truly believe that there is no one better at his job in the whole of non-league football and indeed in the league itself. His knowledge and organisation is fantastic, and anything we have ever asked of him he has helped us out with, with no questions asked. Words cannot describe how brilliant he is’

‘There are so many other people that I would like to thank that work tirelessly to keep this football club going in the direction it is going in. The volunteers and I would like to stress the word volunteers, do so much on a day to day basis. I have known Don Holmes for years since I was first playing with the under 13’s or under 14’s and he always gives me a big hug whenever he sees me. Stuart Bryce is another one who has done so much, and I will miss the smell of his overpowering aftershave and cigars that I have become accustomed to over the years!! There are seriously too many people to mention. Margaret Lobley, Rob and Mark, who do the media, turnstile operators, bar and kitchen staff…. the list goes on. Non-League football clubs cannot run without the likes of yourself, so thank you’

‘Leaving a football club is a real wrench and there is someone who I have worked incredibly close with throughout my time here who I consider to be a real good friend. I have learned so much from Neil Parsley. He won’t mind me saying that I probably have a further coaching knowledge than himself, and he has given me free reign to get on and coach the players. A lot of Managers would not let their Assistant do that, but I feel that that is a measure of the man’

‘We are very like-minded and I can honestly say that we have hardly had a crossed word to say to each other over the years. We really have been a perfect fit. I’m sure that we will keep bouncing off each other as we go forward. He has already asked me what I think Farsley should do on Saturday!! But seriously I will always be there for him and likewise I am sure he will be for me. You never know, we may be working together again in the future’

Someone who has helped me massively over the years is Gary Liversedge . I honestly credit Gaz with adding years to my playing career with the one to one work he has done with me. He's a true friend, outstanding physio and a true football man.

Gary Stokes has also played a massive role in our management team and to have his expertise in the area of goalkeeping has been vital for me as a coach. Again, a true friend who I can't credit enough.

‘I said to the players after the win on Tuesday that they are genuinely the best squad of players that we have had at the club over the last few years. I wasn’t just saying that as a parting shot. It is something that I definitely believe. Some of the football that we play is of the highest standard and it is only a matter of time before we get out of this, what I believe is, a false position’

‘I will be down watching the team’s progress whenever I can, because this is definitely a club I have at heart’

Jacko takes a look back at some of his most memorable Farsley moments in a feature interview in Saturdays programme for the game with Scarborough Athletic.