12th October 1985 - Bernies debut

[erimus74]

One of our bargain signings of all time

Bernie Joseph Slaven made  his Boro debut away to Leeds United this day 1985

At the end of 1984-85 season, Bernie wrote to every team in the English 1st & 2nd division asking for a trial with the chance to prove his goalscoring ability at the highest level

Boro's manager, Willie Maddren, one of a few clubs who replied to Bernies letter, offering him the chance in a behind closed doors match, the trial match was IIRC, Bradford City, with Boro winning 2-0
After the game, at a cold & empty Ayresome Park the late, great Willie Maddren had seen enough & instructed the groundsman to lock the gates, not letting anyone in, or out, & with time ticking on & his constant unanswered phonecalls to the then Boro chairman   Alf Duffield
Out of desperation Willie got in touch with director Steve Gibson & told him how excited he was with the latest trialist who had to be signed that evening, Gibbo gave Willie the ok to sign Bernie & the rest, as they say, is history

Willie knew that if Bernie left Ayresome Park that night he would be snapped up & ironically, one of the teams waiting to pounce were Leeds, the team who Bernie made his Boro debut against
So on the 12th October 1985 Bernie, signed from Albion Rovers for £15k & a further £10k after a number of 1st team appearances, starts life at the Boro wearing the No9 shirt, registered No577
Boro struggling in the 2nd division had last tasted victory on the 21st September & after playing 10 games that season, winning just 2, Gary Rowell scoring 3 & Archie Stephens, were our only goalscorer so far in the league
With Boro struggling in the league a goalscorer was the priority & hopefully, fingers crossed, this young, hungry striker from Scotland has to be the answer

Unfortunately Bernie & Boro went down 1-0 to a Peter Lorimer penalty

Willie Maddren's team that day

Stephen Pears
Brian Laws
Pat Heard
Tony McAndrew
Tony Mowbray
Irving Nattrass
Gary Hamilton
Don O'Riordon
Bernie Joseph Slaven
Archie Stephens
Peter Beagrie - Dave Currie

Bernies first & last Boro goals were scored in the month of October, both at the holgate end with both games finishing 1-1

19th October 1985 - Boro 1 Bradford City 1
3rd October 1992 - Boro 1 Man United 1

[TerryCochranesSocks]

One of the best buys ever.