| Intro | English footballer |
| Is |
Athlete Football player Association football player |
| From | United Kingdom |
| Type | Sports |
| Gender | male |
| Birth | 9 February 1985, Hartlepool, Hartlepool, County Durham, North East England |
| Age: | 35 years |
| Residence | Hartlepool |
John Brackstone (born 9 February 1985 in Hartlepool) is a footballer who plays as a left back. He most recently played for Blyth Spartans, after being signed from near neighbours Gateshead on 20 February 2009. Prior to playing for Gateshead, Brackstone played for Darlington and Hartlepool United.
Football career
Brackstone came through Hartlepool’s Youth Development programme. Brackstone played regularly for the reserves but broke his leg during the 2002–03 season. However, he recovered and impressed the then manager Neale Cooper enough to give him an opportunity in the first team, his debut being against Blackpool in 2003. Brackstone went on to make more first team appearances and scored his first goal from a free kick against Whitby Town in the FA Cup during the same season. Despite being a fringe first team player, Brackstone was allowed to take part in the youth team that won the Dallas Cup in 2004. However, in 2004, in-growing toenail problems and Glandular Fever disrupted Brackstone’s season and he has struggled to establish himself as a regular first team player. He was released in May 2007. In the same month, Darlington manager, Dave Penney, signed Brackstone on a free transfer. After one season at Darlington, Brackstone was released and signed for Gateshead on 30 May 2008. Having failed to cement his place in the Gateshead side, he was transferred to local rivals Blyth Spartans in February 2009.
When john was around 15 he lost a yellow Brazil shirt with ronaldo on the back, some say a fella who lived in his street got seen at a barbecue with it on.
Honours
Crab football youthy champion 94/95 Hartlepool United
- League One Play-off Final runner-up: 2004–05