This day 1984 - The late, great Willie Maddren

[erimus74]

Proved without a shadow of doubt what Middlesbrough football club meant to him, more now with been the manager of our football club

He had single handidly arranged friendly matches in Scotland but with one important thing missing, transport to Scotland & back, after talking to the board about his plans for the friendlies & given the ok he went about begging & borrowing transport to transport players & kits

The 1st fixture, played on this day 1984 was away to Motherwell, as they approached the ground he told coach driver David Mills, yes we were that skint we couldnt afford a driver so Willie & David Mills took it in turns, to park up the mini bus around the corner from the ground & the players will walk the rest of the way, he didnt want Motherwell players & officials see the club turn up in a hired mini bus, Willie the true professional

With all the behind the scenes money troubles going on the Boro done the business on the field with a brace from evergreen "coach driver" David Mills to record a 2-0 win, starting our 3 mini tour of Scotland with a win

Willie Maddren chose the following team

Kelham O'Hanlon
Darren Wood
Paul Ward
Tony Mowbray
Geoff Scott
Irving Nattrass
Paul Sugrue
Mick Buckley
Stephen Bell
Heine Otto
David Mills

[Ural Quntz (Moderator)]

Only one I dont recognise - Geoff Scott

Great story..

[erimus74]

Only one I dont recognise - Geoff Scott

Great story..

Played 3 games for us, Willie brought him in August from Charlton on a monthly contract, making his Boro debut at No3 & registered No557 in a 5-1 home debut to Grimsby, 3 days later a 2-2 draw at home to Bradford in the league cup & the following saturday a 3-2 defeat at Notts County, his contract was cancelled

[tunstall]

Only one I dont recognise - Geoff Scott

Great story..

 

[erimus74]

Only one I dont recognise - Geoff Scott

Great story..

 

😁

[Nosmo-King]

I just wish a great man and manager- which Willie was- didn't manage us at a time when we were in better shape as a football club. I am convinced he could have had great success if he had some money as he was a shrewd judge of a player.

[erimus74]

I just wish a great man and manager- which Willie was- didn't manage us at a time when we were in better shape as a football club. I am convinced he could have had great success if he had some money as he was a shrewd judge of a player.

Nosmo-king I can see where youre coming from, I use to think that too & when talking about the Boro legend OTR then Coluka hit the nail on the head saying he was THE best man at the worst time in our history

He was spot on with that referance, when you break it all down & look at the players he brought to our football club & the impact they made the following seasons, not only on the field but financially, he WAS the right man for the job

[erimus74]

July 1984 with an extract from Willie Maddrens autobiography Extra Time he recalls how bad times really were back then - I was in the process of trying to build a team to stop the rot & help us move forward & with restrictions on the finance side of the club I tried to sign Joe Waters, a defensive midfielder, who had been given a free transfer from Grimsby Town

After meeting Willie said Joe was keen to sign on the dotted line if, the Boro could match his £300 a week wages he was on at his former club & £5k signing on fee to cover his moving expences

The club couldnt match his terms, no signing on fee & could only offer £250 a week

He eventually had offers to play in America & out of courtecy, Joe phoned Willie back to say he really fancied the idea with signing for the mighty Boro but the offer to go to America was to good to turn down, he's still there to this day in a coaching role & Willie's team building continues