Exclusive by Alex Hoad at the Olympic Park

Great Britain hockey star Ashley Jackson has received high praise from a Kent hockey great who knows all about succeeding on the biggest stage of all.

Canterbury legend Sean Kerly was part of the Great Britain team who won glorious gold in Seoul in 1988, and almost single-handedly inspired his country to a bronze four years earlier in Los Angeles.

However he has claimed that West Malling star Jackson, 24, the poster-boy of the current GB generation can do things on the field that not even he could do in his prime.

Whitstable-born Kerly - now an MBE - said: "The things that Ashley can do I couldn’t never have done, I couldn’t dream about doing.

"He’s got the skills that do elevate him to a level above most of the guys in this British team.

"He’s on a world level, rather than just a national level. He’s an astonishing player and he really does have got some skills that are the best of the best."

Chatham-born Jackson was crowned World Young Player of the Year in 2009 (pictured) and was named in the World All Star XI in 2009 and 2010.

He is a certain starter for Great Britain as they get their Olympic campaign underway at the Riverbank Arena against Argentina on Monday night (7pm, Live coverage on KentOnline).

Kerly - who played for Herne Bay as well as Canterbury during his career - admitted that there is more pressure on Jackson and his teammates than they would probably like.

He said: "He doesn’t look like he feels pressure, but it’s a different matter to whether he does.

"There’s a lot of pressure on all of them really. The pressure is the unknown part of the Olympics. It’s just a hockey tournament really. But it’s all the fluff and nonsense that goes with it."

Kerly, who working in the media during the London Games, added: "Personally, when it was me, I ignored it. Not interested. Afterwards – fine, but before you have got to focus, forget all this, shut down.

"They want to be known for playing hockey and being good at that rather than giving nice quotes to the press."

Kerly also revealed he was not as jealous of the home athletes competing infront of a British crowd as some former stars.

He said: "My personal point of view, I liked to travel. By the time 1988 came around I had got a little baby at home, family, home work. It was quite nice to get away.

"I think the home crowd could be a good positive. We got to the World Cup Final in 1986. The home crowd does make a difference.

"But worrying about whether your mum’s got her tickets, where your wife or brother are sat in the crowd, where will you see them afterwards... that kind of stuff, that’s the downfall of a lot of performances. You're not focused."

Kerly was also pleased that his former club are officially represented by three players at the Games - even if Nat Seymour and Abi Walker are squad reserves.

He said: "Unfortunately Jen Wilson looks like being the only one who will play at this stage, but it’s great for Canterbury and for hockey in the area that they are all here."