15th February 1974

[erimus74]

Leading up to this game the Boro had ran in to a mini crises, going 3 games without a win, 2 league games, a 5-1 thrashing at Nottm Forest, our 1st away defeat of the season & a 0-0 home draw v Blackpool, the only league team we failed to score past that season & also, knocked out of the FAC 4th round 1-0 at 4th division Wrexham, the media must have been questioning Jacks tactics & have teams worked us out, but the Boro were better than that & shut up their critics with a convincing away win & the start of another incredible run, 9 consecutive wins on the bounce

Normal service was resumed for big Jacks team, who once again showed why they are head & shoulders above anything in the league, with a convincing performance & goals from John Hickton, David Mills & Alan Foggon

This game also seen Bill Gates play his final game for the Boro, wearing the No12 shirt & replaced Willie Maddren late in the 2nd half

Registerd No421 when Bob Dennison handed Bill the No5 shirt for his debut on the 27th September 1961 away to Luton in a 3-2 defeat, Bill, a great servant for the Boro, went on to play 328 games, scoring 12 goals