This day 1978

[erimus74]

My favourite Boro defender & IMHO, the best ever Boro defender in my time following the mighty Boro had a well deserved testimonial in honour of his contributions to our football club

Sadly at the age of 26 & after 343 1st team games, scoring 21 goals between 1968-1977 Willie was forced to retire from football

Willie made his Boro debut at home to almost relegated Bury, our final home game of the 1968-69 season, scored in a 3-2 defeat, our only home defeat of the season
Scoring from a corner, when minutes later, he almost scored again, this time he headed against the crossbar leaving a muddy ball print on the crossbar, after the summer break when the players reported back to Ayresome Park for pre season training, Willie looked across the pitch & smiled, the muddy stain mark was still visible on the crossbar

He played his final Boro game, away to WBA on the 3rd September 1977,  Cyril Regis & Billy Ashcroft made their debuts for their respective clubs

He later became the clubs coach, then manager, bringing some quality players to our football club, his final signing was the catalyst that seen us go through almost 3 seasons of unbelievable success, when bringing Bruce Rioch to our football club as 1st team coach
The gems he brought to the Boro played a massive part in our awesome, unforgettable few seasons following liquidation

At the last 73-74 players reunion I attended, Stuey Boam stood up & gave a great talk on his defensive partner Willie Maddren, as well as talking about his qualities he finished with a comment, Willie was that good wherever he played on the field, if he was played in goal he would have been the best, thats a fact, he would have

Willie 'Rolls Royce' Maddren so grateful I got to see him in his best

Boro v Scotland Xl, Ally MacLeod had agreed to bring a top Scottish team to honour Willies career, even though they were preparing for the 1978 world cup finals

Willies team

Dave Brown
John Craggs
Ian Bailey
John Mahoney
Stuey Boam
Alan Ramage
David Mills
Stan Cummins
Billy Ashcroft
Micky Burns (guest)
Dave Armstrong.

The game ended 5-5 with Billy Ashcroft scoring a hattrick, Stan Cummins & a David Armstrong penalty

RIP Willie, still remembered with great affection to this day

Tonights celebration of 50 year anniversary dinner with members of that team from that fantastic season, will raise a toast the great man himself & to the best team ever for me & many others I would think

[Francks left peg]

Met him and his son once in front of his statue at the Riverside. Lovely fella who talked for ages about his love for the Boro. Top man