21st March 1987 Archie Stephens diving header gave us 3 points at Blackpool

Erimus74

Erimus74

Well-known member
As we continue to be one of the front runners to gain promotion from the 3rd divison

I still remember it to this day, big Boro following that day, we were sat in the opposite end, to the right of the ground to Archies goal

A close game with Blackpool been one of our challengers for automatic promotion & this game a 6 pointer, it was a close run game but Archie came up trumps to score his 14th league goal of the season

Bruce's legends

Stephen Pears
Alan Kernaghan
Colin Cooper
Tony Mowbray
Gary Parkinson
Gary Pallister
Bernie Slaven
Archie stephens
Paul Kerr
Gary Hamlton
Stuart Ripley
Sub
Gary Gill, replaced Alan Kernaghan in the 2nd half

Archie Stephens.jpeg

Blackpool away 21:03:1987.jpg
 
He was some player was Archie Stephens.
I remember his two goals against Port Vale at Hartlepool.
It's the only time I can remember when the occasion was more important than the score.
And I also remember his goal against Millwall at the start of the next season.
Made it clear we were well and truly back.
Happy memories.
 
I was there that day in the terrace on the corner. It was an interesting day in the town centre to say the least
 
Cracking away trip. One of many in that promotion season.

Remember that Archie scored with a header but can’t remember it being a diving header? But that could just be my failing memory.
 
I was in a big open end behind the goal that Archie scored into - about 40% of the crowd were Boro fans scenting automatic promotion.
 
Yearbyred said:
Cracking away trip. One of many in that promotion season.

Remember that Archie scored with a header but can’t remember it being a diving header? But that could just be my failing memory.
Click to expand...
No it wasn’t a diving header it was just a bullet from around the edge of the box
 
Is my memory playing tricks but didn't we play Blackpool the same season in the 3rd round of the FAC ?

We beat them 3-0 at Ayresome and it was absolutely freezing iirc ?
 
Tommy_Dickfingers said:
Is my memory playing tricks but didn't we play Blackpool the same season in the 3rd round of the FAC ?

We beat them 3-0 at Ayresome and it was absolutely freezing iirc ?
Click to expand...
Yes they were the 1st team to beat us in the league 3-1 at Ayresome Park, we then gained rvenge with a 3-0 home win the 1st round of the FAC when Bernie scored the 1st hattrick after liquidation
 
Yeah we beat them in the Cup but lost 3-1 in the league. The league game was my second ever Boro match after the 3-1 win against Bury earlier in the season being my first.
 
The header was not diving - AS was about 12 yards unmarked - Blackpool players appered to be trying to catch him offside. As said I was behind the goal so angles and distances more difficult to judge. I remember it was a bit of a scrappy game on a bumpy pitch. Sunny with a bit of wind. There was a massive car park behind the Boro end to take visitor coaches for the Town really but that day about 20 coaches from Teesside and hundreds of cars.

My car's exhaust went on the M6 near Wolverhampton travelling up from the South Coast and I thought I would miss the game. Left Wolverhampton Kwik Fit at around 1pm and believe it or not got to Blackpool's ground around 2.50pm (116 miles) Luckily not many cameras then. Motorists were shocked to seeing a Metro flashing them and over taking them in the fast lane.
 
I was there, rather the worse for wear with drink 😁 still remember his header at our end though sending the 3 thousand or so of us wild 👍🏻


🐔
 
7300 crowd at the game so 3000 Boro I concur on - quite a difference from the brave 100 at many games in the previous season. For many Div 3 (now 1) clubs in the North it was like having MU in town when they played the Boro that season.
 
Was that the game where the police horse came in the boozer to throw us all out as the staff had scarpered ? I was worried I was going to get arrested as I couldn’t move it was so packed .
I seem to remember a Boro fan losing a leg after a fracas in a nightclub where he was thrown down the stairs and a door slammed on his leg . I don’t know whether it happened the Fri or Sat night but I’m sure it happened
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top