11th January - Happy birthday to an ultimate legend

[erimus74]

Happy birthday to, without doubt, the best defender ever to play for the Boro
The late, great Willie Maddren was born in Port Clarence this day 1951
And what a legend as both player & manager
 
As a youngster while playing for Port Clarence he broke his ankle just two days before he was to have a trial with Leeds United, who fail to follow up on his progress, Boro's gain, a blessing in disguise
Who was later picked up & then signed professional forms for the Boro
On the 12th April 1969 Willie, handed the No10 shirt, was registered No475 when named in the starting line up at home to soon to be relegated Bury for the final home fixture of the season

Willie couldnt have wished for a better debut as he headed the Boro in front in the 33rd minute, not long later Boro won a corner, Willie again rose high to meet the ball but unfortunately, the ball hits the crossbar & goes over the bar, leaving a round muddy stain mark on the crossbar, he mentions in his brilliant & emotional book extra time, that when he reported back to pre season training he smiled, looking across the pitch the ball stain mark was still visible on the crossbar.

The match write up in the paper stated "Nobody but Willie Maddren, 18 year old lad from Billingham, making his second division debut showed enough spirit as the points went to Bury"

He had a fantastic telepathic relationship with Stuey Boam, IMHO, the best defence pair the club have ever had

His first top flight goal was at home to Chelsea on the 7th September 1974, he scored our 2nd goal at Burnley that put us in our 1st ever cup league semi final
Sadly, his final Boro appearance in a Boro first team game was the same game as Cyril Regis & Billy Ashcroft debuts & at the tender age of 26 he'd played his final game for the Boro

A few turbulent years later in March 1984 big Jack came back as temp manager to successfully keep the Boro up, bringing in Willie as his No2, he left in June 1984 & recommended Willie Maddren take over the hot seat at Ayresome Park, Willie took the role in June 1984 & even though he couldn't stop the slow decline of the club, he brought players to the Boro who not only, played a major part in the amazing, unforgettable season which followed him leaving but, when some of those players left we gained financial windfalls from their sale

Just remember some of the players he brought, Bernie Slaven, Stephen Pears, Archie Stephens, Gary Pallister, Brian Laws, Gary Rowell, while giving debuts to Stuart Ripley & Colin Cooper, with his final signing been the jigsaw that moulded all the named players together into an excellent, unforgettable team & period in our history, Bruce Rioch, there were other players he wanted to sign but couldn't get the deal over the line, one Neil Pointon who was playing for Scunthorpe, later transferred to Everton

The players he brought in, while also blooding youngsters from within the club, put in place a fantastic foundation that made Bruce Riochs job that so much easier to manage, Bruce Rioch who went on to give us an unbelievable few seasons following Willies departure
Each season as we went closer & closer to the black hole no manager was putting anything in place, just buying adequate replacements to see us through, Willie Maddren, who was the right man at the right time built for the future & what a job he did

I could go on writing about Willie's time at the Boro

Willie played 343 games between 1968 - 1977, scoring 21 goals

RIP Willie Maddren x

[Johnny Thunder]

RIP Sir Willie.