19th October 1985 - Bernie a goalscoring legend

[erimus74]

I know I posted the same comment on the home forum but thought to also add it here so its there to read all the time

This day the 19th October 1985 - A goalscoring legend opened his account for the mighty Boro

Bernie Slaven made a home scoring debut this day!

What a cracking signing by the late, great Willie Maddren, who had seen enough of what Bernie had to offer & only a few trial matches, especially when he scored a brace against todays opponents Bradford City in a trial match

Within 17 minutes on the clock Bernie scored his first ever football league goal past the very same opponents he did in his trial match

Bernie become only the 3rd different Boro player that season, behind Gary Rowell on 3 & Archie Stephens on one to find the back of the net, when putting the Boro 1-0 at Ayresome Park
The game finished 1-1 with Stuart McCall equalising just after the hour mark

Bernie made his away debut a week previous Boro losing 1-0 at Leeds, Peter Lorimer scored the only goal from the spot

This day v Bradford City, same as the Leeds game, Willie gave Bernie the No9 shirt in front of our biggest crowd of the season, 6,130

Bernie had sent a letter to every team in the top 2 divisions asking for a trial, what a signing by Willie Maddren who is the one man we should be grateful for in not only, spotting a talented goalscorer but trying all night to get a board member to agree sign him following his trials, forever in Willie Maddren's debt

Bernie, who was registered No577 when making his debut v Leeds was named in the following team by Willie Maddren

Stephen Pears
Brian Laws
Pat Heard
Tony McAndrew
Don O'Riordon
Irving Nattrass
Gary Hamilton
Mitch Cook - 4th game, 1st start
Bernie Slaven
Dave Currie
Peter Beagrie