junos_boots
Well-known member
Just noticed Otto, you said you were at Derby game when Robbie got the winner - I hope you weren't the hapless bog swimmer
Junos - The final player and I have loved doing this - will miss itThe final player and I have loved doing this - will miss it
Craig Hignett 196 matches 48 goals (League 156 games 33 goals)
Song It’s them again – surely a big clue now (doing it today as it is last player)
video is Run DMC V Jason Nevins
He was signed by Lennie, midway through our Premier League season, making his debut in what I can only call a disasterous game, losing 4-1 to Oldham. We took some real stuffings on the road that year – see Villa and Chelsea.
He was always what I called an energetic player, he rarely stood still and scored some very good goals for us
He will always be remembered as the first goal scorer at The Riverside with his goal against Chelsea. Also remembered sadly as the man Robbo left out of our second League Cup Final squad, so that Gazza could play. He also scored the penalty against Chesterfield in the first cup match, putting it through a hole that somehow appeared in the goalkeepers stomach (Ravenelli had gone for a walk so that he didn’t have to take it)
He signed off in style with two goals against Oxford, that had many older fans (my dad) telling us about 1967 again and how none of this lot were fit to lace John O’Rourke’s boots as he got a hat trick against Oxford don’t you know.
He played successfully for a number of years after leaving Boro, very nearly taking Barnsley back into Premier League, before their money troubles really started to bite and also winning League Cup with Blackburn – Gazza didn’t get one of those! He also had a weird spell at Leeds where he signed, never played and then left for Darlington.
Returned to Boro under Karanka as a coach, but it wasn’t a harmonious relationship and has been doing the hokey cokey with Hartlepool for a few years.
I was never a huge fan of Hignett at the time, but then I know nowt – and looking at our team now, what I wouldn’t give for a Craig Hignett to be in there.
I found a compilation of his goals (nearly all anyway), but I’m not sure what the compiler had against Paul Wilkinson. No help from MFC today so I have listed the dates and opponents for his goals.
https://youtu.be/FUkWsjy8-4I
Hignett Matches Scored In
Dec 1992 v Everton (2)
Jan 1993 v Aston V
Mar 1993 v Oldham
Sept 1993 v Stoke
Sept 1993 v Brighton (4)
Oct 1993 v Brighton
Dec 1993 v Sunderland
Feb 1994 v Millwall
Mar 1994 v Crystal P
Sept 1994 v WBA
Sept 1994 v Scarborough
Nov 1994 v Grimsby
Dec 1994 v Portsmouth (2)
Dec 1994 v Sheffield U
Dec 1994 v Notts C
Jan 1995 v Swindon
Aug 1995 v Chelsea
Sept 1995 v Bolton
Sept 1995 v Blackburn
Oct 1995 v Sheffield W
Oct 1995 v QPR
Oct 1995 v Crystal P
Nov 1996 v Man U
Dec 1996 v Everton
Jan 1997 v Chester
Jan 1997 v Liverpool
Mar 1997 v Derby
Apr 1997 v Chesterfield
May 1997 v Man U
Oct 1997 v Sunderland
Nov 1997 v Bolton
Dec 1997 v Reading (2)
Dec 1997 v Stockport
Jan 1998 v QPR
Feb 1998 v Tranmere
Feb 1998 v Bradford
Oxford 1998 v Oxford (2)
Junos - The final player and I have loved doing this - will miss it
Its been class, I think we've all thoroughly enjoyed it too, great looking back at the games, the goals, the atmosphere, the singing, stick your crowdless games thats the real thing the only way football is football is with fans
Still havent got a clue regarding the songs mind
I would never have slagged off Robbie Mustoe!Just noticed Otto, you said you were at Derby game when Robbie got the winner - I hope you weren't the hapless bog swimmer
I was going for the quality of goal rather than any sentimental reason. Mind you. That is probably why I am at the bottom of the table.I'll go early here. Must admit I thought everyone would go for the same one first, but maybe not looking at Spanishman.
Higgy was a rare signing that I was delighted we got and he went on to be a success, though throughout his short(ish) Boro career there were a few ups and downs. Having to take a reduced terms contract in 1995, being released in 1998 and relegation in 1993.
I remember when we were linked with hit a Crewe, noticing how often his name appeared to be on is the score sheet and after missing out on Rob Lee (Newcastle's closer to London than Middlesbrough ) he was just what Lennie needed. Higgy is forever etched in Boro history for the penalty against Chesterfield, his goals against Oxford to win promotio and ofcourse for the goal I have at number one.....
(1) August 1995 - First ever goal at the Riverside against Chelsea
(2) May 1997 - Header from three yards out against Man Utd to put us three one up. I am convinced if we could have got to half time with a two goal cushion we would have been able to hang on to win, then who knows. It was a May Bank Holiday and live on Sky, there was carnage in my living room when we this one went in!
(3) His final goal against Oxford to make it four and ensure we went back up in style.
I was always disappointed that Robbo couldn't find room for Higgy when we went back up and he was pleased to see him continue ti have a successful post Boro career with Blackburn and Barnsley. One of those players I always hoped we would re sign, so was delighted when he came back as Assistant Manager, maybe he'll get another role at Boro one day?
Great write up againI am away tomorrow so thought Id get my final entry in. Last but not least Craig Hignett.
From the infamous Dario Gradi Crewe footballing academy he was already getting amazing reviews in his 4 seasons at Alex where he had scored 42 goals in that time from midfield. When Lennie signed him it was the inaugural Premier League season, one in which we kind of struggled but not before "Higgy" showed his worth. As a scouser and an Evertonian he would have been thrilled to score against his home town club not once but twice at Goodison. I was there for that game and both goals were pretty much score in identical fashion. Coming through on the right to be fed in from the left. That set the pattern for many of Higgy's goals to come, witness his goals against Blackburn (H) and the two he scored against Oxford to regain promotion for Boro in 1998 as three examples
The fact is that Craig scored so many important goals in his career which stretched for 7 great seasons. He will be known as the guy who scored the first ever goal at the Riverside and the player who sealed promotion at the Riverside with his last ever goal for us. There were times that he didn't seem in favour with Bryan Robson and it was with great sadness that having scored the winner in extra time against Bolton and even more dramatically in the QF of the League Cup at Elm Park Reading in the last minute in 1998, he failed to even make the bench for the Final itself against Chelsea. Gascoigne coming in to take his place. Gazza eventually recognised Hignett's contribution in that cup run and donated his losers medal to him. Other highlight certainly was his 4 goals in a R2 League Cup tie first leg against Brighton in 1993 in a 5-0 win and he also scored again in the second leg to take his tally for that round to 5. When Nick Barmby joined in that first season at the Riverside he formed a terrific partnership early doors with him and they gelled from the very first game at Highbury with quick interpassing between them. Some say that the signing of Juninho broke up that understanding and it could be said it did. Finally not to forget his loyalty to Boro when he accepted a pay cut to stay at the Club in 1995-6 despite not winning a regular place in the team. For that alone he is regarded as a true Boro legend in my eyes. My shortlist and I have missed some crackers off this.
Oldham (H) - 1993 Deft glancing header from a Willie Falconer cross - a consolation in an otherwise poor performance by the team in a live televised match
Millwall (H) - 6/2/93 a direct free kick hit purposely low to the goal keepers left and curled wickedly around the wall - Hignett's second goal of that game and Boro's 3rd
Portsmouth H 1994 - Hignett second of the game in a 4-0 win yet another deadly wickedly hit direct free kick from 20 yards through the wall
Chelsea H 26th August 1995. Fjortoft sends through Barmby with a first time flick, Nick B ghosts through on the left with speed and tees up High with a perfect cross. Across his body and Higgy smashes the ball high into the left hand side of the net and the Riverside erupts and is up and running. What a champagne moment that was.
Bolton Away September 1995 - The equaliser in a 1-1 draw at Burnden Park. Again great understanding with Barmby - a 1-2 - and scoring from a tight angle
Blackburn Home the following week. Yet again Barmby Hignett combo with Hignett latching on to a perfect through ball and beating the keeper at the near post with a powerful shot.
[After couple more penalties Higgy stopped scoring that season. The signing of Juninho interrupting the flow of the team arguably. In fact he didn't score for over 12 months]
Liverpool H League Cup Quarter Final January 1997. Latching on to a poor clearance from Pool keeper David James he is first to react, wins a tackle and steps forward before crashing a left foot shot past a stunned James to set us on our way to a 2-1 win
Man United Away April 1997 meeting a Robbie Mustoe run and cross deftly to put us 2-0 up at Old Trafford in that must win crazy end to the season.
Reading H 13/12/1997 His first of two in a 4-0 win and this is a thunderbolt from 25 years that gave the Royal's keeper no chance!
FA Cup 3rd Round 3rd Jan 1998 Loftus Rd Hignett scores a really well worked opener in a 2-2 draw working a series of 1-2's with Moreno and Merson to open up the QPR defence before calmly slotting home fearcely to the keepers left. Beautifully worked.
League Cup QF at Elm Park Reading 6/1/98. The game was heading for possible replay ( or was it penalties I cant remember) when in the last minute Boro break away, Merson takes a through ball and with incredible control gives himself time to lay on the perfect pass for Hignett moving at pace from the left to send the ball crashing into the far corner and winning the tie putting Boro into their third successive cup semi final.
And finally his double against Oxford in his final game to send us up. The first a typical ghosting through the Oxford defence to fire in off the near post. Very cool and clinical. His second an almost identikit goal but this time a rasping goal to make it 4-0. His last goal for us but one of the best. A fantastic bullet into the top corner.
What a way to say goodbye. So finally I have to choose three from that little lot, Its a toss up but here goes
1. The Riverside Opener. August 1995 v Chelsea Maybe not his best goal but certainly most memorable and celebrated. Great move involving Fjortoft and Nicky Barmy and Hignett gets the Riverside jumping for the first time. It is a favourite of mine for ever
2. His last goal at the Riverside and final one for Boro at home to Oxford May 1998. A superb strike from a deft Merson lay off to send the Riverside into a promotion party and the signing off of 7 great seasons.
3. The last minute winner at Elm Park v Reading in January 1998 League Cup Quarter Final. Crashing in a last minute winner from another Merson tee up in a dramatic game that put us into a third successive semi final.
Many years later Higgy was asked about his time at Boro. His affection for the area and town is very strong. "My wife and all of her family are from Middlesbrough so this is where I call home now. I go back to Liverpool to see my parents, but I love it up here and I would never move again."
Finally Juno and Spanishman thanks for all your hard work over the last two weeks. This has been a very enjoyable competition and appreciate your hard work and for generating so many memories over the 90s and 00s. I have absolutely no idea about the song links so well done to those who get it. I was never any good at cryptic or problem solving.
Great write up again
I'll miss these
Well said Zoo, going through the nostalgia of the past few weeks has been great hasn't it. As Joni Mitchell sang 'You don't know what you got till it's gone'......Still, as Boro fans we always have and hope that the good days are just around the corner!Thanks Erimus. Really Appreciate your comments and yes I’ve thoroughly enjoyed myself writing up the daily player profiles from a personal perspective. Hence the time I have taken to indulge (because that is what I’ve done really).
Yes these players were almost idols and played such an important part of our lives in a very rich time in our Club’s history. They may well be days we may never see again so memories are so important to hang on to. Cardiff said in his intro when we did the away performances that he went to all the European games away as it may never happen again in his lifetime. That resonated and I envy his decision to doat.
Couldn't agree more Cardiff, the content, the memories all put down over the past 3 months have proved we're all still Boro fans, whether we go all the time, or now & again, it's a myth you're no longer a fan if you don't go all the fan, the passion in those posts is there for all to see after all these years & long may it continueSomeone ought to draw Rob's attention to this and the other quiz threads. Some of the content and the time people have taken to reflect on the history of the Club has been great reading and if he wants content going forward for the fanzine whenever he can publish it again then he's got a mine of it here.
Thanks Spanishman and Juno's Boots for the last 10 days of the competition. Brilliant lads. Anyway my top 3 Higgy Goals
1. His final hurrah, his 2nd goal at the Riverside in May 1998 against Oxford United. Latching on got a lovely through ball by Merse he just creams it into the top corner of the net. The Oxford keeper didn't see it. The promotion party was already in full swing but that was the firework that upped it another level. And it was a great way to say goodbye.
2. The first goal at the Riverside, The move involving Fjortoft, Barmby and then his powerful coup de grace. Historic, memorable.
3. That winner at Elm Park in the semi final v Reading January 1998. Not only was it clinical, it was perfectly timed, it was crucial and on the terraces in the rain we went berserk.
It was a travesty he didn't even make the bench for the League Cup Final in 1998. He knew then his time was up.