11th January 1951 - Many happy returns Willie Maddren

[erimus74]

Happy birthday to, without a doubt, the best defender ever to play for the Boro in my time

The late, great, Willie Maddren was born in Port Clarence on this day 1951 & what a legend, both as a 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 failed to follow up on his progress
Boro's gain, a blessing in disguise

He signed for the Boro, progressing through the levels & on his 18th birthday was handed the No12 shirt for our 2nd divison game away to Bristol City, replacing Frank Spraggon in the 2nd half to make his debut
Later in the season, 12th April 1969 at home to Bury & after just the one sub appearence, registered No475 Willie was in the starting line up, wearing No10 shirt at home to Bury for the final home fixture of the season

Unbeaten at home Boro v almost relegated Bury

In the 33rd minute, the Boro won a corner, the ball was swung over with Willie heading the ball home, not long after another corner to Boro, Willie again rose high to meet the ball but, unfortuntly the ball hits the crossbar & goes over the bar, leaving a round muddy stain mark on the crossbar, typical Boro though as we lost 3-2, he mentions in his brilliant & emotional book extra time, he reported back for pre season training & smiled, the ball stain mark was still visible on the crossbar

He had a fantastic telepathic relationship with Stuey Boam, IMHO, the best defence pair the club have ever had
Willie played 343 games between 1968 - 1977, scoring 21 goals

He scored our 2nd goal at Burnley that put us in our 1st ever league cup semi final

Sadly, 3rd September 1977 was to be his final Boro appearences, in the same game as Cyril Regis & Billy Ashcroft making their debuts & at such a 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, unforgetable seasons 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 team, Bruce Rioch

There were others 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, also blooding youngsters from within the club, he put in place fantastic foundations that made Bruce Riochs job that much easier, BR, who went on to gave us an unbelievable few seasons following WM's 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 built for the future & what a job he did

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

RIP Willie Maddren x