This day 1976 - David Mills bags a hat trick

[erimus74]

Right up there with one of my favourite festive Boro games of all time

27th December - The form team of the First Division, now PL, Aston Villa with the country's top marksman, arrived at Ayresome Park unbeaten since 29th October, when they lost 3-0 at Liverpool, to face a Boro team who are without a home win in the last 3 fixtures, or home goal since our last home win, 23rd October, so not the best time to face Villa

It was our very own David Mills who was to come out on top og the strikers that day when he blasted a 1st half hat trick, the 1st of the 2 hat tricks he bagged in his Boro career, becoming the 42nd different HT goalscorer, the 83rd at Ayresome Park & 115th overall

The Boro were so much on top that the Villa players must have relived when the ref blew for half time with Boro going in at HT 3-1 to the good & a 1st half, as a Boro fan, you just didn't want to end, we were that good, the score actually flattered Villa, we battered Villa

The 2nd half was a totally different game as Villa took the game by the scruff of the neck when pulling a goal back, via Andy Gray, but the mighty Boro held out to win the game & keep both points on Teesside

With only scoring 7 home goals leading up to the Villa game, we more or less scored half of that total in the 1st half & it was our final home game of he year, striker problems

In the holgate with my younger brother in a crowd of 31,451 at the game

Boro team

Jim Platt
John Craggs
Terry Cooper
Graeme Souness
Stuey Boam
Willie Maddren
Tony McAndrew
David Mills
Alf Woods
Peter Brine
David Armstrong

Sub Alan Willey replaced Willie Maddren

[Nosmo-King]

He shot, he scored

And all the Holgate roared,

David Mills, David Mills!

[erimus74]

He shot, he scored

And all the Holgate roared,

David Mills, David Mills!

Nice to see you back Nosmo-king, hope you had a nice xmas

[Nosmo-King]

Thanks very much, Erimus. Was quiet- getting ready to go to Thailand on Jan11 for 3 months! Escape the damp weather. At least it is hot there when it rains!!

[Ural Quntz]

Beeline - bossed/owned? by George Hardwick?

[Nosmo-King]

Millsy was a real boo boy target. Remember him getting subbed and he clapped those that jeered him. Jack quickly got him into the dugout. Can't blame Millsy he did get dogs abuse- and it was totally unwarranted