My favourite Boro defender & IMHO, the best ever Boro defender in my time following the mighty Boro had a well deserved testimonial in honour of his contributions to our football club
11th January 1969 manager Stan Anderson handed Willie his debut away to Bristol City, when he replaced Frank Spraggon in the 2nd half to become the 477th registered Boro player, Boro lost the game 2-0
Sadly at the age of 26 & after 343 1st team games, scoring 21 goals between 1968-1977 Willie was forced to retire from football.
Willie starting his 1st match at home to soon to be relegated Bury, our final home game of the 1968-69 season & scored in a 3-2 defeat, our only home defeat of the season
Willie scored his goal from a corner, minutes later, Willie almost scored again, this time he headed against the crossbar leaving a muddy ball print, after the summer break the players reported back to Ayresome Park for pre season training, Willie looked across the pitch & smiled, the muddy stain mark was still visible on the crossbar
He played his final Boro league game, away to WBA on the 3rd September 1977, Cyril Regis made his West Brom debut & Billy Ashcroft made his Boro debut
Willie later became the clubs coach, then manager, bringing some quality players to the Boro, his final signing was bringing Bruce Rioch to our football club as 1st team coach
The gems he brought to the Boro played a massive part in our awesome, unforgettable few seasons following liquidation
At the last 73-74 players reunion I attended, along with our Kev, Stuey Boam stood up & gave a great talk on his defensive partner, Willie Maddren, as well as talking about his qualities he finished, he remarked, Willie was that good that wherever he played on the field, if he was played in goal he would have been the best
Willie 'Rolls Royce' Maddren so grateful I got to see him in his best
Boro v Scotland Xl, Ally MacLeod had agreed to bring a top Scottish team to honour Willies career, even though they were preparing for the 1978 world cup finals
Willies Team.
Dave Brown
John Craggs
Ian Bailey
John Mahoney
Stuey Boam
Alan Ramage
David Mills
Stan Cummins
Billy Ashcroft
Micky Burns (guest)
Dave Armstrong.
The game ended 5-5 with Billy Ashcroft scoring a hat trick, Stan Cummins & a David Armstrong penalty
RIP Willie, still remembered with great affection to this day
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