The first thing to say is that a limited number of signed copies of my latest book “Tony Evans walks on water”, which recalls City’s promotion season of 1975/76, will be on sale in the Supporters’ Trust office (near gate 5) at tomorrow’s match for the reduced price of £9 (it normally costs £11) for Trust members.
As for the match itself, I’ve no expectation whatsoever that we’ll win (or draw) and very little confidence that we’ll score, but, you never know, there have, very occasionally, been times when I felt similarly before a game and City have surprised me by digging out a win.
That first half at the Riverside back in September was as well as we’ve played all season I’d say and it’s amazing, even by Cardiff City’s standards, to think that four days later, our manager was our of a job – what would the person who sacked him give for a display half as good as that tomorrow?
Here’s the usual quiz with seven questions on Middlesbrough dating back to the sixties and I’ll post the answers on here on Sunday.
60s. This one time Middlesbrough record holder was a solid performer who could be said to have matched his surname. Starting out with five years at a dual purpose ground well to the south of Middlesbrough, he had six years at Ayresome Park before ending his playing career with a club that has always made me think of breakfast. Upon retirement at the age of thirty four he was appointed manager of his final club and his reward two years later following a close promotion miss was the sack! Who am I describing?
70s. Who knows how many times this man would have played for Middlesbrough if he had not been forced to retire at the age of twenty six with a persistent knee injury? He was originally a striker and played in that position against City at Ayresome Park during this decade, but, as far as goalscoring against us went, he had more success when playing as a full back (which also wasn’t the position he’s best known for) in a game at Ninian Park – who is he?
80s. This midfielder had a fairly nondescript career save for one remarkable fact about him. Released by old Londoners as a youngster, he made his senior bow at Middlesbrough and was a fairly regular choice during his three years at Ayresome Park in the first half of this decade, but it was at his next club, quite nearby to Boro, where he made history when he was appointed team manager at the age of just twenty four, thus becoming the youngest man ever to manage in the Football League in the process – it was only a short term appointment and he only ever managed at non league levels after that. He soon returned to playing and clocked up over three hundred Football League appearances all told as he returned to the capital to play for wandering Londoners who have settled down during the second half of their existence. After that, he represented two teams that play in what is, if a recent poll is to be believed, still the most Brexit favouring county in the UK. Can you name him?
90s. Verse evicts knee cap to end up with centreback. (5,7)
00s. Order Staggies to reposition male animal!
10s. Three past or future City players featured for a winning Middlesbrough side at Cardiff City Stadium in a game during this decade, what season was it in and name the three players involved?
20s. Almost, but not quite, Born to Boogie star!
Answers
60s. Ray Yeoman began his career at Northampton (whose old home the County Ground is still used by Northants county cricket club) and was signed by Middlesbrough in 1958. A regular in the first team, Yeoman held Middlesbrough’s record for consecutive appearances when he left in 1964 for the Quakers (porridge!) of Darlington. Yeoman became Darlington manager when he retired from playing in 1968 only to be sacked two years later.
70s. Willie Maddren played just short of three hundred league games for Middlesbrough, his only club, before having to retire at just twenty six. In September 1971, Maddren played as a centre forward in a 1-0 home win for Boro over City and, just under a year earlier, he’d been one of his team’s scorers while playing right back in a crazy 4-3 win at Ninian Park.
80s. Paul Ward played for Middlesbrough, Darlington, Leyton Orient, Scunthorpe and Lincoln City following his release by Chelsea as a youngster. But in 1987, he was appointed manager of Darlington at the age of just twenty four.
90s. Steve Vickers.
00s. Ross Turnbull – Ross County’s nickname is the Staggies.
10s. When Middlesbrough won 1-0 here in September 2014, their starting line up had Dimi Konstantopoulos in goal and Albert Adomah on the wing – Lee Tomlin came on as a sub as well.
20s. Only an absent letter “n” stops Middlesbrough full back Marc Bola sharing his name with T Rex front man Marc Bolan who starred in the 1972 film Born to Boogie which was made at the height of his fame.
