Many happy returns Darren Wood

[erimus74]

Big 60 today

What a player he was becoming our 537th registered player
19th September 1981 Bobby Murdoch handed the No10 shirt for his Boro debut in a first division fixture  in a 2-0 away defeat to Southampton, he went on to play 11 games in our relegation season, scoring one goal, at home to Notts County in a 3-0 win
From the first second division fixture until he sadly left the club he didn't miss a minutes action, playing every single minute of seasons 1982/3 (50/3) 1983/4 (47/2) & 8 matches/ no goals of 1984/5 before his move to Chelsea

It wasn't until after big Mal arrived that he really did show what a top player he would hopefully be for the Boro

He became the focal point of a dispute which sadly ended Malcolm Allison's managerial reign at the Boro with the club on the verge of liquidation, Allison threatened to resign if Wood were to be sold to Chelsea for £100k declaring that it was "better for the club to die than to linger on".
Chairman Mike McCullagh, who brought big Mal to the Boro, accused him of no longer being reliable in trying to save the club & promptly sacked him, installing Jack Charlton as caretaker manager.

Sadly as 1984/5 season got underway it was obvious Chelsea were going to prize our asset away with a few offers falling short of Boro's valuation & what Willie Maddren wanted, with Willie knowing he was fighting a losing battle he relented & asked for a player exchanged been involved due the knowing he'll receive any money, if any from the transfer so in the end we got £92k & Tony McAndrew in return, the only way Willie Maddren would do business
The Evening Gazette had reported that Liverpool had offered £250,000 for Wood just six months earlier.

Darren Wood played a total of 115 games, scoring 6 goals

Wearing shirt Nos 2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10 - Mostly wore the No2 shirt

Wonder if he has a season ticket at the Riverside


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[BoroRedKen]

Well i never knew he was married to Diana Ross! 

This is probably the 1st Boro transfer i remember from when i was a nipper.

100k would not even get you Accrington Stanley's tea lady now!.

[BoroRedKen]

Did we end up getting the better deal iyo E-Man?

[erimus74]

Did we end up getting the better deal iyo E-Man?

You could argue that Tony McAndrew was a good, reliable player to come back in to a struggling team back then, as you know he would run through a brick wall for the team & with wanting to move back to the area was up for the transfer, Darren Wood on the other hand was an upcoming star player but needs must & maybe Tony Mc was the right experienced player to be brought back when we need him& the money helped immensely