Willie Maddren One of the best defenders to ever play for our football club

[erimus74]

23 years ago yesterday (29th August 2000) we lost one of the best players to have played for the Boro

Willie Maddren, arguably one of the best players in the history of our football club passed away 29th August 2000

A former Boro manager who managed the mighty Boro at our lowest ebb, ever

Recommended for the managers job by big Jack to become our manager at the start of 84/85 season & accepted by the board, looking back it was probably the best appointment, at the worst possible time this club has ever known, a lovely man & a Boro legend

An awesome player who should have won many full England caps, sadly finished his playing career early due to injury & when he became our manager, some of his signings he made, not only played a big part in one of the most memorable periods in our history but also, when some of those players were sold the financial rewards were brought in to the football club
Willies signings included, Bernie Slaven, Gary Pallister, Stephen Pears, Gary Rowell, Brian Laws, Archie Stephens, with the introduction of Colin Cooper, Stuart Ripley, with his final incoming wasnt a player but someone who brought unbelievable success to the Boro, Bruce Rioch
Willie certainly had an eye for talent, the players he tried to sign who went on to form a good career at other clubs

I was at a 1973/74 former players reunion when our captain of that famous team, Willies partner of the famous "telepathic twins Stuart Boam, spoke highly of Willie saying, "he was as good as anyone in any position, if he played in goal he would most likely be just as good there"

11th January 1969 Bristol City 2 Boro 0 - 1st Boro game coming on as a subreplacing Frank Spraggon
3rd September 1977 - WBA 2 Boro 1 - Final Boro 1st team game

Between 1968 - 1977 played 343 games, scoring 21 goals

12/4/1969 - Scored his 1st Boro goal on his 1st start at home to Bury
12/1/1974 - His 1st League cup goal away to Liverpool 1-0 to Boro
7/9/1974 -  His 1st top flight goal home to Chelsea 1-1

RIP Willie Maddren x

[Johnny Thunder]

RIP.

[erimus74]

The best Boro team in my lifetime

[erimus74]

[BoroRedKen]

Loved reading that Erimus.



Is the 3rd along the top Tosh Lines from The Bill?

And im certain the 1st 2 on the 3rd row were Norways entry in the 1976 Eurovision Song Contest!

Quality post matey.
 

[erimus74]

Loved reading that Erimus.



Is the 3rd along the top Tosh Lines from The Bill?

And im certain the 1st 2 on the 3rd row were Norways entry in the 1976 Eurovision Song Contest!

Quality post matey.
 

Haha class Ken, yes, John Craggs, he looks a proper throw back footballer from the black & white era

Another one who should have won England honours

[AtomicDog]

2nd row last on the end is Mani from The Stone Roses.
3rd row second from the end is Roger McGuinn from The Byrds

This is dead easy . . . What have I won?
🐾
🐾

[tunstall]

He was no Chris Wilder, that's for sure

Proper legend RIP

[erimus74]

In Willies final Boro appearence on the 3rd September 1977 away to West Brom both CF's, Billy Ashcroft & Cyril Regis made their debuts, the latter scoring

[In With the Lurpak]

In Willies final Boro appearence on the 3rd September 1977 away to West Brom both CF's, Billy Ashcroft & Cyril Regis made their debuts, the latter scoring

I remember his sports shop 

[markmywords]

During early 90s often saw him playing golf at Dinsdale spa golf club. Met him a few times, lovely bloke. His goal against Swindon, I think always sticks in my mind. He smashed one in the top corner from 25-30 yards.

[erimus74]

During early 90s often saw him playing golf at Dinsdale spa golf club. Met him a few times, lovely bloke. His goal against Swindon, I think always sticks in my mind. He smashed one in the top corner from 25-30 yards.

They use to show that very goal at the intro to the shoot program