This day 1993 - Gary, Gary, Gary, Gary Hamilton

[erimus74]

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

Gary Hamilton was registered No522 when, on the 26th February 1983, away to Bolton Wanderers, manager Malcolm Allison gave Gary the No12 shirt away, making his debut when replacing Joe Bolton in a 3-1 defeat
Gary went 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, he wore different shirt No's, 3, 5, 10 & his debut No12, an aggressive, no nonesence midfiled player, an 86 legend indeed

I can still remember his 1st Boro goal, when on the 6th September 1983 a night match v high flying Newcastle,  17 year old Gary Hamilton scored the winner, coming 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, cooly slotting the ball past the Newcastle keeper, then turning away with a massive smile over his face his right arm raised in triumph, 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, will live with us fans forever, not only scoring the winning goal in the 2nd leg at AP he came out on top in the midfield battle while constantly driving the Boro forward, the following season the midfield battle with Tevor Hurlock when Millwall came to Ayresome Park as un unbeaten 1st divison team (now PL) again coming 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 than 100%, scoring 27 goals in 260 appearences

Gary officially retired from playing in 1992 after several attempts at making 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 won a fans' poll for best player in the period 1966–1986, coming first with 15.1% of the votes, beating Craig Johnston, with 14.5%, into second place

[Johnny Thunder]

Superb player was Hammy.