Hot-shot handed skipper's armband

Tulips boss Chris Rawlinson named the former Cleethorpes Town, Corby Town, Grantham Town, Holbeach United, Lincoln United and Grantham hot-shot as his new skipper on Thursday night following the departure of Jackson for Holbeach United.

King returned to the Tulips in May 2017 after a four-year spell away, his highlights including winning promotion to the EVO-STIK League with Cleethorpes and scoring their winner against Bromsgrove Sporting in an FA Vase semi-final last season to send the Owls to Wembley.

Left-back Jackson, who was handed the captaincy at Spalding after the summer departure of Nathan Stainfield to Gainsborough Trinity, was wanted at Carter’s Park to boost his former club's title challenge over the second half of the season in the United Counties League's Premier Division.

Using social media to announce the move, @SpaldingUnited tweeted: "Tulips Manager @chrisrawlo tonight confirmed that the good ship #Tulipsville will be skippered on the broad shoulders of Team Captain @GaryKing27 + Team Vice-Captain @spaff86. Huge congrats & very best of luck to both!..."

Rawlinson also paid tribute to Jackson, who played in United's championship-winning side of 2013-14 and has been an ever present at the Sir Halley Stewart Field since re-signing for the Tulips in November 2016 after his second spell with the Tigers.

Before his switch was confirmed, he told spaldingtoday.co.uk: “I must say he has been brilliant for us. His attitude was spot on. He has been doing well in midfield as part of our new formation. But you need so much time and commitment at this level. He has been very busy at work and at home with his family."

Image courtesy of @SpaldingUnited/Twitter

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