- Willie Maddren
Infobox Football biography
playername = Willie Maddren
fullname = William Dixon Maddren
dateofbirth = birth date|1951|1|11|df=y
cityofbirth =Billingham ,Teesside
countryofbirth =England
Nickname(s) =
dateofdeath = death date and age|2000|8|29|1951|1|11|df=y
cityofdeath =Stockton-on-Tees
countryofdeath =England
height =
nickname =
position = Defender
youthyears =
youthclubs =
years = 1969-1979
clubs = Middlesbrough
caps(goals) = 293 0(19)
nationalyears =
nationalteam = England under-23|England under-23]
nationalcaps(goals) = 05 0(0)William Dixon 'Willie' Maddren (born
11 January 1951 inBillingham ,England ; died29 August 2000 ) was a football player for Middlesbrough Football Club between 1968-1979.Footballer at Middlesbrough
He made his debut on
April 12 1969 against Bury scoring a goal and suffering a broken nose. Despite starting hisBoro career as a striker he was known as a classycentral defender . In the 1970-71 season Maddren established himself in the Boro defence. In 1971 Middlesbrough managerStan Anderson bought Mansfield Town central defenderStuart Boam to form a formidable defensive partnership with Maddren. In 1973, after repeated failures to gain promotion to the old First Division, Anderson left Boro and was replaced by World Cup winnerJack Charlton . In the 1973-74 season Middlesbrough ran away with the old Second Division finishing 15 points clear from second place Luton Town(Under the old points system of 2 points for a win.) They were promoted to the First Division onMarch 23 ,1974 finishing the season conceding only 30 goals, keeping 25 clean sheets in a 42 game programme. The strength of the Boro team was its defence ofJim Platt ,John Craggs , Boam, Maddren andFrank Spraggon .In the old First Division Boro were a strong, competent team just short of being top-class. A lack of a proven goalscorer was a factor in Boro failing to qualify for Europe in 1974-75 by one place. Maddren claimed in later years that if Boro had bid for
Malcolm Macdonald they would have challenged for the Championship. His manager concurred. Jack Charlton said his biggest regret in football was not winning the Championship in 1974-75.Maddren played for England under-23's five times, but despite a call-up to the full England side he never played. This was a source of bitterness for Maddren and many commentators agreed with him. Maddren claimed if he played for a more glamorous team than Middlesbrough he would have played for England. He compared his treatment with that of
Brian Greenhoff (Manchester United, Leeds United) who won 18 caps despite being less talented. WhenBBC Radio Five Live announced Maddren's death on its sports news in 2000, a guest on the station, football journalistHugh McIlvanney claimed he was the best player "never" to play for England.Maddren's final appearance for Boro was on
September 3 1977 against West Bromwich Albion. He was only 26. Maddren had a persistent knee injury and he often played games when in pain. 'He . . . never trained,' said his team-mateTerry Cooper . An operation was unsuccessful and he retired in 1977.Management and legacy at Boro
When
Malcolm Allison became Middlesbrough manager in 1982 Maddren returned toAyresome Park as physiotherapist. By then Boro were struggling in the old Second Division. Allison was sacked onMarch 24 ,1984 and was replaced by Jack Charlton as caretaker manager with Maddren as assistant. The new management team staved off relegation and Maddren was promoted to post of manager at the season's end.This period in the history of Middlesbrough is considered its most traumatic. The club was in financial difficulties which eventually led to
liquidation in 1986 and the near loss of professional football onTeesside . At the end of 1985-86 season Boro were relegated to the oldThird Division . By then Maddren was no longer manager. In his first full season 1984-85 Boro struggled and avoided relegation on the last day of the season,May 11 ,1985 in Shrewsbury. The following season Maddren was sacked with 13 games remaining, replaced by his assistantBruce Rioch . Despite the failure to turn Boro round Maddren is remembered for his astute signings.Bernie Slaven was signed from part-time football in Scotland to become a Middlesbrough legend. He saw the potential ofGary Pallister , a defender with Northern LeagueBillingham Town , despite a lacklustre trial with Boro reserves in front of previous manager Malcolm Allison. Both became internationals. Other signings Maddren made came to fruition under the managership of Bruce Rioch includedStephen Pears , a reserve goalkeeper fromManchester United ,Brian Laws andArchie Stephens , important members of the Third Division promotion winning team of 1986-87. Maddren also brought youth team players through the ranks, includingColin Cooper andStuart Ripley .Following his sacking Maddren concentrated on his successful sports shop business.
Illness and death
In 1995 he was diagnosed with the terminal muscle-wasting disease
Motor Neurone Disease (MND). He became a campaigner for MND research, raising over £200,000 including £40,000 from his autobiography "Extra Time." In 1996 a benefit match was arranged at theRiverside Stadium between Middlesbrough and Internazionale. He was given a standing ovation from over 20,000. A section of the Boro fans sang "Willie Maddren's Red and White Army" which he acknowledged with a wave.He died on
August 29 ,2000 at a hospice inStockton-on-Tees , aged 49.Just before his death, Maddren commented: 'This is one game I cannot win but I will go down fighting.'
ources
* [http://www.ynw62.dial.pipex.com/obit5.htm Obituary] From a nostalgic football site
*Boro's Best (1997) A book detailing Boro's top 50 players as chosen by players and fans.
*An Essential History of Middlesbrough (2002)Usual statistics
*Middlesbrough v Inter Milan Matchday magazine (1996)Includes interviews with MaddrenExternal links
* [http://www.mfc.premiumtv.co.uk/page/Welcome Middlesbrough F.C.Official Website]
* [http://icnewcastle.icnetwork.co.uk/sundaysun/thebiginterview/tm_objectid=16145323&method=full&siteid=50081&headline=new-chapter-begins-for-hilary-name_page.html Interview with Hilary Maddren]
* [http://www.ynw62.dial.pipex.com/obit5.htm Obituary]
* [http://www.mndassociation.org/ MND Association]
* [http://www.bbc.co.uk/mediaselector/check/nationonfilm/00111?size=4x3&bgc=C0C0C0&nbram=1&bbram=1| BBC footage of Willie Maddren's 1978 testimonial]
Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.