This day 10th September 1977

[erimus74]

Boro flashback

46 years ago today a record signing CF makes his home debut, two members of Charltons champions, one, Peter Brine, plays his final Boro game & the 2nd, an absolute iconic, the best ever Boro defender & massive legend, Willie Maddren, misses his 1st home game since 12th March 1977

The mighty Boro are at home to Birmingham City, who include soon to be the 1st million pound footballer, Trevor Francis

Starting up front, wearing the No9 shirt & registered No513 to start a 1st team home game is Billy Ashcroft, manager John Neal going back to his old club Wrexham & signing Billy for a club record £135k, Billy made his away debut at WBA seven days earlier

Billy became the 85th different Boro player to score on his (home/away) debut, he actually scored a 2nd goal (both at the holagte end) which, unfortunatly, was disallowed, Trevor Francis spoilt the party with 2 goals to take both points back to the midlands & John Neals 1st back to back defeats & 1st home defeat as manager

Peter Brine, registered No492 one of Charltons champions legends, wearing the No10 shirt, played his final Boro game, PB played 93 games, scoring 8 goals
Willie Maddren, registered No476, who I cant praise high enough, as player, manager & person, is the best defender I have EVER seen play for my beloved Boro, misses his 1st home game after his injury the previous week away to WBA & sadly, never to play for the Boro 1st team again

John Neal's 3rd home game as manager picked the following team

Jim Platt - Favourite Boro keeper
John Craggs - Best Boro right back ever for me & should have played for England
Terry Cooper - Again, good enough to have played for England while at the Boro
Graeme Souness - For me, the best ever, next to WM, complete Boro footballer
Stuey Boam - Favourite Boro captain & our best CH
Tony McAndrew - Youngest Boro player to score a 1st team hat trick
John Mahoney - Previous record signing before Billy.
David Mills - 1st to be half million pound footballer
Billy Ashcroft - Record signing
Peter Brine - Liked Peter, remember him scoring v Arsenal after 30 seconds 
David Armstrong - Unbelieveabl footballer, with an unbelievable, never to be beaten consecutive appearences for the Boro
Sub
Ian Bailey

Attendance - 19,240

Just ignore the fake Boro top if it annoys you