Family and friends pay tribute to 'joker in the pack' Adam Jackson - and hope others can be encouraged to speak to doctors about their troubles

Tributes have been paid to ‘joker in the pack’ Adam Jackson, after the well-known footballer sadly died this weekend.

The married father-of-two, a former Holbeach United and Spalding United player who also played for Wisbech and Parson Drove, tragically took his own life.

While friends have remembered his ‘larger-than-life’ personality, his wife Emma hopes Adam’s death can be used to help others.

“If anything comes from this, I hope it encourages other people to see a doctor, don’t be afraid or embarrassed to get help,” she said.

“Adam had his whole life ahead of him but in the end addiction and his mental health won.”

Adam (34) also leaves his young daughters Myla and Ennis. A GoFundMe page has been set up to support the family.

Childhood friend Tim Cole remembers a pal who could light up a room.

“He was the joker in the pack, a larger-than-life character,” he said.

“If he walked into a room it wasn’t quiet for long.

“He just liked to have fun. He was always playing pranks on people.”

A group of Adam’s friends also released a statement paying tribute to a man ‘full of love’.

It read: “A selection of Adam’s close friends, known as the Crazy Gang, all unanimously agree while it’s somewhat of a cliché Adam was the life and soul of the party.

“You heard Adam before you saw him and we were generally greeted with an ‘ahoy there’ or ‘aye up’.

“The Adam we all know, love and want to remember was full of love. The biggest character in the room and never short of raising a laugh.

“As much as we’re all heartbroken we’re all thankful to Jacko that we spent so many years with him and shared so many truly good memories.”

Adam was well known as a tenacious footballer both for hometown club Holbeach and also the Tulips. He also had brief spells with Wisbech Town, Parson Drove, Sleaford Town and Skegness Town.

“If you were on the other team you hated him. But he thrived off it,” added Tim, who was previously assistant manager at the Tigers alongside Adam.

“But if you were in the changing room, you absolutely loved him.”

Adam most recently represented Skegness Town, once again linking up with his former Spalding manager Chris Rawlinson.

He said: “It’s a very, very sad loss. He was a bright, positive individual who could talk for England.

“He was my captain at Spalding and good fun to be around. As one of the lads said, everyone’s got at least one, if not many, many more, good memories of time you spent with Adam. He’ll be missed.

“Please pick the phone up at any time to any friend when you’re feeling there’s no way you can go on. There always is.”

A GoFundMe to support Emma and the children has seen more than £10,000 donated since launching on Tuesday.

You can donate by visiting www.gofundme.com/f/adams-send-off.

Whatever you are going through, you don’t have to face it alone. Call Samaritans for free on 116 123, email jo@samaritans.org or visit www.samaritans.org for more information.