Matchday Memories: On This Day 1978 – Sky Blue Green Makes Milne’s Men Middlesbro’ Point!

On this day (11th April 1978) well forty five years ago the Sky Blues travelled up to Teesside looking for some Division One points from Middlesbrough to help their bid for a European place. The North-Eastern climate proved discouraging, however, and City came away from Ayresome Park with just a draw. Back in mid September a brace from  (now CCFPA member) Ray Graydon had given the Sky Blues the points in a 2-1 win at Highfield Road.

Sky Blue Ray Graydon

The Boro’s David Armstrong put the home side in front after only five minutes but diminutive Sky Blue striker (and CCFPA member) Alan Green was able to get the equalizer after twenty minutes to send the sides in for half-time at 1-1. That’s the way the score stayed as City played safety first in the second half and the Sky Blues fans among the 14,184 crowd, like the team, were probably happy to settle for a draw.

Greeny at home

Gordon the ‘gaffer’ in City’s infamous brown strip

Manager Gordon Milne‘s men that day were:-

Jim Blyth, Brian Roberts, Bobby McDonald, Terry Yorath, the late Jim Holton, Mick Coop, Alan Green, Ian Wallace, Keith Osgood, Barry Powell and Tommy Hutchison 

Alan Green in action

We are pleased to report that every Sky Blue man, including the boss, but excluding ‘Big Jim’ (who was taken from the game tragically early) later became CCFPA members! Good to see Jim, Brian, ‘Wally’ and Tommy all present at our Legends Day 2023 Former Player reunion this time last year!

John Neal‘s Boro’ team that day comprised:-

David Brown, John Craggs, Ian Bailey, John Mahoney, Stuart Boam, Alan Ramage, Craig Johnston, Stan Cummins, David Shearer, Tony McAndrew and David Armstrong.     Referee:- N.Glover

European dreams eluded us as we finished seventh in Division One, a good season for the Sky Blues, it has to be said. Middlesbrough finished fourteenth.

The Sky Blues 1977-78

Nottingham Forest took the title by seven points from Liverpool.

West Ham United, Newcastle United and bottom club Leicester City went down