After witnessing the reception Lee Jackson got when he kicked the final points of his career in York City Knights' last match of the season at Sheffield, it seems hard to believe he was once anonymous. But that was the case.

The 36-year-old former Great Britain hooker, Challenge Cup winner and NRL champion made his debut for Hull 20 years ago under the name of AN Other as he was too young to sign professional forms.

Billy Mallinson and Shaun Patrick were both injured and colt team hooker Jackson, aged 16, was drafted in to fill the hole.

Twenty years on, he signed off to an ovation fit for a hero after a career spanning six clubs, two continents and an emotional rollercoaster - not least of which has been at York, where he has spent the last three years trying to get them promoted, and has finally achieved his dream.

Reflecting on last year's narrow miss, he said: "If we had had five minutes longer I think we would have done it, but all credit to Halifax because they finished the better.

"Losing in the way we did spurred me on to another year. I met with (coach) Mick Cook and (the then chief executive) Steve Ferres and I said give me one more year'. They did and now I've done what I set out to do.

"It's taken me three years but I do feel another chapter of my life has been fulfilled."

He may not know what the future holds right now but, after discovering the concept of the weekend, he will be looking to pass on some of his years of experience as a coach.

He added: "I just want to say thank you to the fans at York and everybody though my career - hopefully I've done everything they wanted me to do.

"Every team has been different and I've had some good moments and bad moments with every one.

"It's hard to single out one thing that makes one experience better than the others. This has been one chapter of my career and I've loved my time at York, and finishing like this is perfect."