Willie Maddren question

Redwurzel said:
These first team England call ups for Maddren and Mills were mentioned in their Testimonial brochures with photos. The Millsy one he was sat down cross kneed - it looked like a Summer photo at Lilleshall. There is a story that the England manager at the time of Willie's call up (Joe Mercer or Don Revie?) when up to speak to Willie but did not know who he was.

E74 may have the Testimonial brochures - WM's was 1977/8 and DM's was 1978/9 - I sold mine to Alf with the Programme Shop on Parliament Road.

Ref Willie's knees - he used to mention Jack's training runs up and down Roseberry Topping as not helping his knees.
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Cheers red, I will check later today, I thought I'd seen it somewhere
 
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Quiz question

How many of that squad went on to be a permanent manager at professional English Club?

I have 10 (off the top of my head)
 
Willie should have been capped but it was known about his knees, Craggsy one of the best full backs we have had and a disgrace that some of the big club players got in ahead of him. Deffo a case of play for liverpool, arsenal, manu etc helped.
Even worse in my opinion now some kids who have hardly played for their first team get called up, do we really have so little talent.
 
Cheers E74 for the brochure.

I didn't quite get the England story correct - it was England under 23s and Alf Ramsey who did not know who Willie was. I had Alf in my head, but then remembered he was sacked in 1973/4 season after England failed to qualify for the 1974 WC Finals.
 
Michael_Vronsky said:
You'd think that being from Middlesbrough that there would be some allegiance. I mean, he must have supported the club at some point!
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Totally agree Michael, he must have thought, he's a Boro lad I've heard good reports about him, I'l keep an eye on him, but nothing
 
Wilf said:
Revie had no allegiance to The Boro, leicester swifts/man city were his clubs.

Had Maddren left, and Ipswich were after him for ages, he would have got England caps, ive no doubt of that (injuries permitting)...him and Beattie as a central pairing ! - bobby robson knew.
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I remember when I was about 13, 14 & got Willie Maddrens autograph, it was rumoured that Ipswich were planning a £200k offer, I asked him when he was signing, you're not going anywhere are you Willie & he replied no son, maybe he knew he wouldnt have passed the medical, total 100% legend on & off the pitch & paved the way by bringing Bruce Rioch to the club & laying the foundations for the incredible seasons with Bruce
 
I appreciate that this is a bit of a delayed addition, but I recently discovered that Willie Maddren turned out for an England XI in a testimonial at Sheff Wed on 21st October 1974 just before his squad selection for that Portugal game. Apparently Revie used the match as a trial before picking his first squad.
 
Quite fascinating to see Erimus on here. Gone on to pastures new but enjoyed his crack.

On another note (I know I could google but its better on here)

Seem to recall Burnley away midweek.
Quarter final of League Cup

Got to ground - there was a bar outside the away end (?).
Took beers into the stand and recall Maddren scored early on - beer everywhere.
My mind is fuzzy but, I think we scored two quick goals.

Man City in the semi 😡
 
Pears also got a call up but was injured if memory serves me right but had to withdraw and that was that?
 
Story I heard regarding Willie Maddren was that Revie rated him highly and believed he could be a potential replacement for Bobby Moore in the England team. But he never knew just how bad his knee injury was until he called him up for that England training camp. He realised then he couldn't rely on him long term. Sadly, three years after his England call up he was finished as a player.
 
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