Happy birthday Mr Middlesbrough

Erimus74

Well-known member
This day 1966 - HAPPY BIRTHDAY, debut & gooooaaaalllllllll

IMHO, probably one the biggest Iconic legends we were lucky to see play for our football club

John Hickton, born 24th September 1944, was 22 when he made his debut, scored his 1st Boro penalty & brought the Boro back from 2-0 down to win 3-2

John Hickton, signed for the mighty Boro on the evening of Friday, September 23rd, 1966 the day before the game v Workington
Secretary Harry Green drove to his home in Chesterfield to complete the signing, apparently other clubs were in for him but Harry got in first, well done Harry, we are forever in your debt

On the day of the game he was met at Scotch Corner by club captain, Gordon Jones & manager, Stan Anderson.

Middlesbrough were at the foot of the 3rd divison table when John Hickton made his debut, wearing the No5 shirt, playing at centre half, with Dickie Rooks injured. Big John was marking Workington’s Max Tolson & struggling against the striker who scored twice in the opening 17 minutes.
On the 37th minute Boro were awarded a penalty & no one wanted to take it. Hickton asked who the penalty taker was and was told it was Rooks but he wasn’t playing.
Big John stepped up & smashed in the ball in the net
And a legend was born

The goal proved to be the turning point for the Boro who played with a lot more confidence after the break. With 18 minutes remaining Horner’s pass was flicked on by Chadwick & Horsfield cracked the ball home from close range. With 5 minutes remaining & the crowd in full voice Boro grabbed the winner. O’Rourke drove in a cross which Horsfield met at the far post to head home
3-2 to the mighty Boro

We got the 2 points & a penalty king was born

Boro team

Des McPartland
Geoff Butler
Gordon Jones
Ian Davidson
JOHN HICKTON
Billy Horner
David Chadwick
Arthur Horsefield
John O'Rourke
Jim Irvine
James Lawson.

And I'm lucky enough to have met the great man on numerous occasions & a good luck card on my daughters wedding dayScreenshot_20200924_105730.jpgScreenshot_20200924_105708.jpgScreenshot_20200924_105653.jpgScreenshot_20200924_105641.jpgScreenshot_20200924_105626.jpg
 
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I was at the game in the Boys End for Big John’s penalty scored at the East End for our first home win of the season,think it was Willie Whighams’ home debut also.
 
Off topic slightly, but does anyone remember that lad from Harrogate who changed his name to Mr David Bernie Bruce Middlesbrough?! Was after the promotion in 88. Always remember Tyne Tees tonight doing a report about him! The things you remember!!
 
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Off topic slightly, but does anyone remember that lad from Harrogate who changed his name to Mr David Bernie Bruce Middlesbrough?! Always remember Tyne Tees tonight doing a report about him! The things you remember!!

I got so much stick from family and friends I reverted back to my original name of Richard Small, at least the mickey taking will stop
 
This day 1966 - HAPPY BIRTHDAY, debut & gooooaaaalllllllll

IMHO, probably one the biggest Iconic legends we were lucky to see play for our football club

John Hickton, born 24th September 1944, was 22 when he made his debut, scored his 1st Boro penalty & brought the Boro back from 2-0 down to win 3-2

John Hickton, signed for the mighty Boro on the evening of Friday, September 23rd, 1966 the day before the game v Workington
Secretary Harry Green drove to his home in Chesterfield to complete the signing, apparently other clubs were in for him but Harry got in first, well done Harry, we are forever in your debt

On the day of the game he was met at Scotch Corner by club captain, Gordon Jones & manager, Stan Anderson.

Middlesbrough were at the foot of the 3rd divison table when John Hickton made his debut, wearing the No5 shirt, playing at centre half, with Dickie Rooks injured. Big John was marking Workington’s Max Tolson & struggling against the striker who scored twice in the opening 17 minutes.
On the 37th minute Boro were awarded a penalty & no one wanted to take it. Hickton asked who the penalty taker was and was told it was Rooks but he wasn’t playing.
Big John stepped up & smashed in the ball in the net
And a legend was born

The goal proved to be the turning point for the Boro who played with a lot more confidence after the break. With 18 minutes remaining Horner’s pass was flicked on by Chadwick & Horsfield cracked the ball home from close range. With 5 minutes remaining & the crowd in full voice Boro grabbed the winner. O’Rourke drove in a cross which Horsfield met at the far post to head home
3-2 to the mighty Boro

We got the 2 points & a penalty king was born

Boro team

Des McPartland
Geoff Butler
Gordon Jones
Ian Davidson
JOHN HICKTON
Billy Horner
David Chadwick
Arthur Horsefield
John O'Rourke
Jim Irvine
James Lawson.

And I'm lucky enough to have met the great man on numerous occasions & a good luck card on my daughters wedding dayView attachment 6890View attachment 6891View attachment 6892View attachment 6893View attachment 6894
 
Definitely a Boro legend.
He took on the Newsagents on Coatham Road, Redcar a year or so after hanging his boots up.
Suddenly, every kid in the area wanted to be a paper boy.
 
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