r00fie1
Well-known member
This article is extracted from the Match-Day thread and will hopefully rekindle some fond memories and experiences. 
Memory Lane:
John Neal`s Boro Side 1980 / 81
r00fie1
John Neal took over from "Big Jack" Charlton in 1977. He had previously managed Wrexham who got promoted the season after he departed the North Wales Club! Although 31, Micky Burns scored some crucial goals. Started his career at Blackpool, before joining Newcastle. Boro signed him from Cardiff for £75K. Midfielder, Graeme Hedley began his career with Boro under Jack Charlton making 50 appearances and scoring 6 goals. He was loaned out three times during his 7 year spell at Boro and finished his career at Hartlepool United.
Irving Nattrass joined, having made 238 league appearances for the skunks. He was one of those players best described as "Mr Reliable". He suffered a lot from injury, but still made 191 appearances for the Boro. Middlesbrough born Mark Proctor signed as Associate School-boy in 1975 and became an ever-present. He later moved on to have a successful career which included Forest, Sheffield Wednesday and Sunderland.
South - African Craig Johnston was like greased lightening. He could turn on a sixpence and burst into opponents ten-yard box in the blink of an eye. As a schoolboy he wrote to four English Football League clubs for a trial and was eventually signed by Jack Charlton at the age of 17. "Big" Billy Ashcroft, a scouser, followed Neal from Wrexham. He was a big fella and he could knock over defenders just with his boot laces. Left Boro in 82 to join Dutch club FC Twente.
Defender, Ian Bailey was another local lad, who joined around the same time as Mark Proctor. Made his debut against Spurs in 1975. Mike Angus was yet another local lad, who often came off the bench. Ended his career in the Darlington side which got promoted to the Third Division in 1984/85. Inverness born, David Shearer, joined Boro at the age of 20. Began life in the Highland League and finally hung up his boots playing for Billingham Synthonia. Charlie Bell made only 10 appearances in 4 years and decided to move on in 1981 to join Mansfield Town. He later changed his football boot to join the Poilice force and also Managed Maske Town until 2008.
David "spike" Armstrong made a record 305 consecutive appearances in a Boro shirt in a career which spanned 10 years [1971-81]. He was a class player - who many said if he had played for a "fashionable" club, would have played regularly for England. In total he made 359 appearances. After moving to Southampton he ended his career at Bournemouth where he moved and passed away in August 2022.
John Craggs signed from the Skunks for £60K in 1971. In a career which spanned 19 years, 11 of those were in a Boro shirt. He was a really dependable defender, who knew how to get the ball! Jim Stewart was second - goalie to the main man - Jim Platt. Stewart was a more than capable keeper. He went on to play for Glasgow Rangers and ended his career at Partick Thistle.
Glaswegian, Tony McAndrew was one of those players whom we expected to be on the team-sheet every week. As a centre-half he could put in some crunching tackles, but he could also score some spectacular goals. His Boro career lasted almost 10 years and after leaving for Chelsea in 1982, he showed his loyalty and dedication to the cause - returning to play for Boro during the dark period of 1984 - 86. Middlesbrough was the professional starting point of Gateshead born David Hodgson`s career. Signed apprentice forms on his 16th birthday and was a real favourite at Ayresome. I seem to remember him appearing in the Holgate in a suit whilst out injured - setting the crowd alight.
Jim Platt - was the main man between the sticks for almost 12 years. Originally from Northern Ireland, Boro stumped up £7K to bring him from Ballymena! He also played for Northern Ireland, but was kept out of regular appearances by a chap called Pat Jennings!
Many will have memories and stories to tell of that period, but unfortunately there isnt enough space or time to tell them all right now.
Memory Lane:
John Neal`s Boro Side 1980 / 81
r00fie1
John Neal took over from "Big Jack" Charlton in 1977. He had previously managed Wrexham who got promoted the season after he departed the North Wales Club! Although 31, Micky Burns scored some crucial goals. Started his career at Blackpool, before joining Newcastle. Boro signed him from Cardiff for £75K. Midfielder, Graeme Hedley began his career with Boro under Jack Charlton making 50 appearances and scoring 6 goals. He was loaned out three times during his 7 year spell at Boro and finished his career at Hartlepool United.
Irving Nattrass joined, having made 238 league appearances for the skunks. He was one of those players best described as "Mr Reliable". He suffered a lot from injury, but still made 191 appearances for the Boro. Middlesbrough born Mark Proctor signed as Associate School-boy in 1975 and became an ever-present. He later moved on to have a successful career which included Forest, Sheffield Wednesday and Sunderland.
South - African Craig Johnston was like greased lightening. He could turn on a sixpence and burst into opponents ten-yard box in the blink of an eye. As a schoolboy he wrote to four English Football League clubs for a trial and was eventually signed by Jack Charlton at the age of 17. "Big" Billy Ashcroft, a scouser, followed Neal from Wrexham. He was a big fella and he could knock over defenders just with his boot laces. Left Boro in 82 to join Dutch club FC Twente.
Defender, Ian Bailey was another local lad, who joined around the same time as Mark Proctor. Made his debut against Spurs in 1975. Mike Angus was yet another local lad, who often came off the bench. Ended his career in the Darlington side which got promoted to the Third Division in 1984/85. Inverness born, David Shearer, joined Boro at the age of 20. Began life in the Highland League and finally hung up his boots playing for Billingham Synthonia. Charlie Bell made only 10 appearances in 4 years and decided to move on in 1981 to join Mansfield Town. He later changed his football boot to join the Poilice force and also Managed Maske Town until 2008.
David "spike" Armstrong made a record 305 consecutive appearances in a Boro shirt in a career which spanned 10 years [1971-81]. He was a class player - who many said if he had played for a "fashionable" club, would have played regularly for England. In total he made 359 appearances. After moving to Southampton he ended his career at Bournemouth where he moved and passed away in August 2022.
John Craggs signed from the Skunks for £60K in 1971. In a career which spanned 19 years, 11 of those were in a Boro shirt. He was a really dependable defender, who knew how to get the ball! Jim Stewart was second - goalie to the main man - Jim Platt. Stewart was a more than capable keeper. He went on to play for Glasgow Rangers and ended his career at Partick Thistle.
Glaswegian, Tony McAndrew was one of those players whom we expected to be on the team-sheet every week. As a centre-half he could put in some crunching tackles, but he could also score some spectacular goals. His Boro career lasted almost 10 years and after leaving for Chelsea in 1982, he showed his loyalty and dedication to the cause - returning to play for Boro during the dark period of 1984 - 86. Middlesbrough was the professional starting point of Gateshead born David Hodgson`s career. Signed apprentice forms on his 16th birthday and was a real favourite at Ayresome. I seem to remember him appearing in the Holgate in a suit whilst out injured - setting the crowd alight.
Jim Platt - was the main man between the sticks for almost 12 years. Originally from Northern Ireland, Boro stumped up £7K to bring him from Ballymena! He also played for Northern Ireland, but was kept out of regular appearances by a chap called Pat Jennings!
Many will have memories and stories to tell of that period, but unfortunately there isnt enough space or time to tell them all right now.
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