Although the statistics show that this is our worst ever start to a season, I'm fairly confident that this isn't the worst squad we've ever had.
From the years I've been watching the Boro, the 1982/983 squad would probably edge it. The star players who got us to the Wolves FA Cup QF had all moved on, leaving us with a squad full of players who had been decent in their time but we past it (Beattie, Hankin), would be decent in due course but were just breaking into the squad (Mowbray) or had never been decent and never would be (most of the others).
Returning to the second tier after relegation we lost each of our first three home games 1-4 and didn't win a game until mid October.
55 Seasons is a long time to look back on, and at the minute I'm very lucky to be here and hope to get back to going in Nov Dec this season.
Thanks NHS
My first five seasons were under Stan Anderson, my dad bought my brother a ST for the north Stand east wing in 1966 and I joined him in 68/69 to 72/73 when we moved up to North Stand Upper until we left the place - and I do remember those seasons for all sorts of reasons, the big cup ties and the excitement of the WHU WC Winners arriving - and turning them over with a fantastic Derick Downing diving header.
The Man Utd games I was present when we beat them Laws,Best,Charlton and the seasons after for the home power cut early game and Man City Hickton penalty game. This was such a great time and childhood its was heaven on earth to me.
Poor results and Squad
82/83 Bobby Murdoch picked up by Big Mal but even then when we mention squads Mowbray and Hamilton were young - uns making their way in a trade. The seeds were sown. Hopefully like just now it will be happening
The worst squad, has to be represented by results 82/83 Poor Bobby got it after Amer sold anything of any worth after Neal left.
Although Liverpool were always a bunch of xxxxs for unsettling our players as the did with Souness,but thats football I suppose.
Burnley at home 1-4
Fulham " " 1-4
Palace "" 1-3
Grimsby 1-4 the Kevin Drinkell Game -Joe Bolton Nightmare 1-4
Blackburn The Brotherston Game RIP Noel- he was outstanding and inspired me.
QPR 6-1 away
Quite soul destroying at the time.
One thing stands out to me in our slow demise.
We were poor as you could imagine and the gates were shocking, Middlesbrough's support from the town was a joke, despite all the "good reason" a lot of the lads gave at work etc., our so called supporters ditched us and didnt return until mid way through the famous 86/87 season- just look at the gates ?.
The lads on here who stuck with it, you will remember this to
I sometimes listen to fellas my age I was there etc- the truth is there was a die hard siege mentality bunch of us ... the rest ...well dear me.
Nowadays we have beaten all the old hoodoo and history bolxxx, and we have a very health and good support and a club that's still going
I remember things like this- Shrewsbury to Europe- what a fantastic daydream.
Until the collection of companies that saved us came in we were a joke of a club imho, we had some nice days and some lovely players but thank Christ for the consortium. We will get back there UTB. Sorry to go on.
It was a working class game then, it seems to be ruined by accountants and money these days.
It will give me a chance to look through things again this thread.
