This day back in 1980 - This day always sticks in my mind

[Erimus74]

When beating Aston Villa at home 2-1 with goals from Craig Johnston & Dave Shearer, we were even tret to a December blizzard

The following days Sunday headlines were quotes from manager John Neal who by now was probably fed up with the boards lack of ambition when he said, 'I wish I could keep this team together', he knew ew were a match for any team in the league, his achilles heel was his away formation / tactics, sort that out & we won't be far away
He knew & was probably told that sales would happen & cheaper players brought in, most likely resulted in his resignation at the end of the season

We had a great team set up, youth, with some really exciting young players coming in to the team, pace throughout, add to that very good experienced first team regulars we were the envy of many 1st division teams & the dabs were excited with the future & the next signings to push us on, little did we know the whole truth of the direction the club were going & the position the mighty Boro would be in in just 12 months

I loved those exciting days as a South Terrace ST holder with erimus senior & dreams of finally see us win something, though I always had visions of the gypsies curse striking in my head

John Neals exciting team v Villa

Jim Platt
John Craggs
Ian Bailey
Craig Johnston
Billy Ashcroft
Tony McAndrew
Terry Cochrane
Mark Proctor
Dave Hodgson
Dave Shearer
Dave Armstrong
Sub
Graeme Hedley

Attendance - 15,721

 

[truck]

Happy days but as ever a couple of players short, billy ashcroft failed striker, always felt for Hodgson as hid move to liverpool to me was a wrong move for him completely as was never going to be a regular starter.

 

[Erimus74]

Happy days but as ever a couple of players short, billy ashcroft failed striker, always felt for Hodgson as hid move to liverpool to me was a wrong move for him completely as was never going to be a regular starter.

Great days, we wernt far away from been an Aston Villa, an Ipswich Town, QPR too, even Forest, we were so close

 

[truck]

and that is the history of my boro following years since Big Jack came. A player or two short,not going for it. Changed under Robson of course as those were strange times where Gibson could compete but those days are long gone with the imbalance of money in the game now.
Makes no difference how I feel about the club, and what I want for it and should we ever win the FA cup or similar will make it more sweeter. We need to get back up there and compete properly and that for me is being solidly 6-12th in the league should we be able to do it, and fingers crossed Europe again.

 

[Erimus74]

and that is the history of my boro following years since Big Jack came. A player or two short,not going for it. Changed under Robson of course as those were strange times where Gibson could compete but those days are long gone with the imbalance of money in the game now.
Makes no difference how I feel about the club, and what I want for it and should we ever win the FA cup or similar will make it more sweeter. We need to get back up there and compete properly and that for me is being solidly 6-12th in the league should we be able to do it, and fingers crossed Europe again.

Dont forget the amazing Rioch era, unbelievable