This day 1993 - Boro 1986 legends testimonial

[erimus74]

One of our 1986 legends 100% well earned & far too soon testimonial

Gary Hamilton was registered No522 when on the 26th February 1983 Malcolm Allison gave Gary the No12 shirt away to Bolton Wanderers, making his debut when replacing Joe Bolton in a 3-1 defeat, going on to play a further 8 games that season scoring two goals, one of which guarenteed our 2nd divison survival in a 2-0 win over Crystal Palce April 1984
Gary went on prove his worth & veratility that season, as he did throughout his time at the Boro, when wore 3 different shirt No's, 3, 10 & his debut No12, an aggressive, no nonesence midfiled palyer, an 86 legend indeed

I can still remember his 1st goal when as a 17 year old, night match under the floodlights when on the 6th September 1983 scoring the winner at Ayresome Park against high flying Newcastle, he came on as a sub for our, iconic talisman Heine Otto & with the score level at 2-2 he scored the winner at the holgate end when he slotted the ball past the Newcastle keeper, a massive smile over his face with his arms raised running over towards us in the chicken run

His midfield battles with Stuart McCall & a former Boro terrier/hardman Mick Kennedy (RIP) in the 2nd divison playoff semi final, not only scoring the winning goal in the 2nd leg at AP he came out on top in the midfield battle when constantly driving the Boro forward & the following season the midfield battle with Tevor Hurlock when unbeaten Millwall came to Ayresome Park as un unbeaten 1st divison, (now PL) team, he again came out on top of that battle

The holgate sang, Oh Gary, Gary, Gary, Gary, Gary, Gary Hamilton, he was such a big game player for us throughout his time at the club, never giving less thaan 100%, scoring 27 goals in 260 appearences

Gary officially retired from playing in 1992 after several attempts at a comeback from a knee injury & now has a successful coaching career in the United States
He is currently the head coach of the Houston Dynamo Juniors in McAllen, TX. He's also the Director of the McAllen Youth Soccer Association where he trains young footballers to become professionals

Gary Hamilton won a fans' poll for best player in the period 1966–1986. He came first with 15.1% of the votes, beating Craig Johnston, with 14.5%, into second place

[tunstall]

Loved that man

Proper legend