This day 1978, iconic Boro legend John Hickton, my favourite ever player & IMHO, the best striker in the world

Erimus74

Well-known member
Played his final game for the mighty Boro, after 458 senior games for the Boro he brought the curtain down on his illustrate Boro career

On the 25th April, 2 years after scoring his final Boro goal away to Villa he was named as a sub at home to West Ham
Craig Johnston put the Boro ahead in the 15th minute, unfortunately fairy tales don't always happen West Ham struck twice to take a 2-l lead, with 12 minutes remaining big John took the field replacing No3 Ian Bailey, he couldn't produce the magic touch & the score remained 2-1 to the hammers

Stan Anderson paid Sheff Weds £20k for John Hickton in September 22nd 1966, making his debut 2 days later on the 24th at home to Workington wearing the No5 shirt, his 22nd birthday
The Boro, who had won once that season, on the opening fixture of the season & were bottom of the 3rd division, found themselves 2 nil down, with one of the goalscorers who JH was marking, when were awarded a penalty, Dicky Rooks the clubs penalty taker wasnt playing, John Hickton, who was standing in for Dicky Rooks, decided to take the responsibility, scored, Boro fought back to win their 2nd game of the season 3-2 & our penalty king was born
He had the honour of scoring our 1st top flight goal after 20 year when scoring away to Birmingham August 1974

I've fortunately met the great man numerous times, while growing up my kids have heard stories of the legend from an early age
I've said it before & will say it again, they say you should never meet your hero, that couldn't be further from the truth, I have a photo I will forever cherish of me, big John & my son together & a letter & card from John Hickton wishing me luck on the day my daughter was married

An absolute iconic legend who I feel so honoured to have watched
 

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John Hicktons final game match ticket (y)
 

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Any excuse to post this, the letter he sent me along with one of his own personal photos from his own collection (y)
 

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