Middlesbrough v Port Vale 1986-87 STEPHENS GOAL
August 1986, Middlesbrough have been saved from liquidation but are still pad-locked out of Ayresome Park meaning the first home game of the season is an early evening kick off at Hartlepools Victoria Ground (Hartlepool having earlier played Cardiff in a 3pm kick off). Port Vale are the opponents and Boro went 2-0 up thanks to a couple of goals from old war-horse Archie Stephens. Vales superior fitness told in the 2nd half though as they got a goal back from Richard O'Kelly and then equalised through Paul Macguire. Boro didn't care about 2 points dropped - they had spent the whole summer training in Stewart Park, trying not to stand in dog muck or lose the ball in the duck pond. The only thing that mattered was that the fixture was fulfilled and the club now had a future. Footage taken from Football Focus presented by good old Bob Wilson.
August 1986, Middlesbrough have been saved from liquidation but are still pad-locked out of Ayresome Park meaning the first home game of the season is an early evening kick off at Hartlepools Victoria Ground (Hartlepool having earlier played Cardiff in a 3pm kick off). Port Vale are the opponents and Boro went 2-0 up thanks to a couple of goals from old war-horse Archie Stephens. Vales superior fitness told in the 2nd half though as they got a goal back from Richard O'Kelly and then equalised through Paul Macguire. Boro didn't care about 2 points dropped - they had spent the whole summer training in Stewart Park, trying not to stand in dog muck or lose the ball in the duck pond. The only thing that mattered was that the fixture was fulfilled and the club now had a future. Footage taken from Football Focus presented by good old Bob Wilson.