Willie Maddren
Encyclopedia
William Dixon 'Willie' Maddren (11 January 1951 – 29 August 2000) was a football player for Middlesbrough Football Club
between 1968 and 1979.
scoring a goal and suffering a broken nose. Despite starting his Boro career as a striker he was known as a classy central defender. In the 1970–71 season Maddren established himself in the Boro defence. In 1971 Middlesbrough manager Stan Anderson
bought Mansfield Town
central defender Stuart 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
winner Jack 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 on 23 March 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 of Jim Platt
, John Craggs
, Boam, Maddren and Frank 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. When BBC Radio Five Live
announced Maddren's death on its sports news in 2000, a guest on the station, football journalist Hugh McIlvanney
claimed he was the best player never to play for England.
Maddren's final appearance for Boro was on 3 September 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-mate Terry Cooper. An operation was unsuccessful and he retired in 1979.
became Middlesbrough manager in 1982 Maddren returned to Ayresome Park
as physiotherapist. By then Boro were struggling in the old Second Division. Allison was sacked on 24 March 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 on Teesside
. At the end of 1985–86 season Boro were relegated to the old Third 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, 11 May 1985 in Shrewsbury. The following season Maddren was sacked with 13 games remaining, replaced by his assistant Bruce 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 of Gary Pallister
, a defender with Northern League
Billingham 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 included Stephen Pears
, a reserve goalkeeper from Manchester United, Brian Laws
and Archie Stephens
, important members of the Third Division promotion winning team of 1986–87. Maddren also brought youth team players through the ranks, including Colin Cooper
and Stuart Ripley
.
Following his sacking Maddren concentrated on his successful sports shop business.
(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 the Riverside 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 29 August 2000 at a hospice in Stockton-on-Tees
, aged 49.
Just before his death, Maddren commented: 'This is one game I cannot win but I will go down fighting.'
Middlesbrough F.C.
Middlesbrough Football Club , also known as Boro, are an English football club based in Middlesbrough, who play in the Football League Championship. Formed in 1876, they have played at the Riverside Stadium since August 1995, their third ground since turning professional in 1889...
between 1968 and 1979.
Footballer at Middlesbrough
Maddren made his debut on 12 April 1969 against BuryBury F.C.
Bury Football Club is an association football team based in Bury, Greater Manchester. The team currently play in League One. The club's nickname is The Shakers which was bestowed upon them by club chairman JT Ingham, an industrialist and ironmonger of the late 1890s.-Formation of the club and the...
scoring a goal and suffering a broken nose. Despite starting his Boro career as a striker he was known as a classy central defender. In the 1970–71 season Maddren established himself in the Boro defence. In 1971 Middlesbrough manager Stan Anderson
Stan Anderson
Stanley Anderson a former English football player and manager. An England international who earned two caps while at Sunderland, he also played for Newcastle and Middlesbrough, becoming the first player to captain all three big north-east clubs...
bought Mansfield Town
Mansfield Town F.C.
Mansfield Town Football Club is an English football club from the former mining town of Mansfield, Nottinghamshire. The club was formed in 1897 as Mansfield Wesleyans and changed its name to Mansfield Wesley in 1906 before settling on Mansfield Town in 1910...
central defender Stuart Boam
Stuart Boam
Stuart William Boam is a retired English footballer and manager who is probably best known for his eight-year spell with Middlesbrough....
to form a formidable defensive partnership with Maddren. In 1973, after repeated failures to gain promotion to the old First Division
Football League First Division
The First Division was a division of The Football League between 1888 and 2004 and the highest division in English football until the creation of the Premier League in 1992. The secondary tier in English football has since become known as the Championship....
, Anderson left Boro and was replaced by World Cup
FIFA World Cup
The FIFA World Cup, often simply the World Cup, is an international association football competition contested by the senior men's national teams of the members of Fédération Internationale de Football Association , the sport's global governing body...
winner Jack Charlton
Jack Charlton
John "Jack" Charlton, OBE, DL is a former footballer and manager who played for Leeds United in the 1950s, 1960s and 1970s, and was part of the England team who won the 1966 World Cup...
. In the 1973–74 season Middlesbrough ran away with the old Second Division
Football League Second Division
From 1892 until 1992, the Football League Second Division was the second highest division overall in English football.This ended with the creation of the FA Premier League, prior to the start of the 1992–93 season, which caused an administrative split between The Football League and the teams...
finishing 15 points clear from second place Luton Town
Luton Town F.C.
Luton Town Football Club is an English professional football club based since 1905 at Kenilworth Road, Luton, Bedfordshire. The club currently competes in the fifth tier of English football, the Conference National, for the third consecutive season during the 2011–12 season.Formed in 1885, it was...
(Under the old points system of 2 points for a win.) They were promoted to the First Division on 23 March 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 of Jim Platt
Jim Platt
James Archibald 'Jim' Platt is a former footballer who played as a goalkeeper for Northern Ireland.-Playing career:...
, John Craggs
John Craggs
John "Jack" Craggs was an English footballer who played for Sunderland, Nottingham Forest andReading as a forward.-Club career:...
, Boam, Maddren and Frank 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
Malcolm Macdonald
Malcolm Ian Macdonald is a former English footballer nicknamed Supermac, famed for scoring goals for Luton Town, Newcastle United and Arsenal.-Football career:...
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
England national football team
The England national football team represents England in association football and is controlled by the Football Association, the governing body for football in England. England is the joint oldest national football team in the world, alongside Scotland, whom they played in the world's first...
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
Brian Greenhoff
Brian Greenhoff was an English footballer who played in the Football League for Manchester United, Leeds United and Rochdale. He was capped 18 times for England....
(Manchester United
Manchester United F.C.
Manchester United Football Club is an English professional football club, based in Old Trafford, Greater Manchester, that plays in the Premier League. Founded as Newton Heath LYR Football Club in 1878, the club changed its name to Manchester United in 1902 and moved to Old Trafford in 1910.The 1958...
, Leeds United) who won 18 caps despite being less talented. When BBC Radio Five Live
BBC Radio Five Live
BBC Radio 5 Live is the BBC's national radio service that specialises in live BBC News, phone-ins, and sports commentaries...
announced Maddren's death on its sports news in 2000, a guest on the station, football journalist Hugh McIlvanney
Hugh McIlvanney
Hugh McIlvanney is an award-winning, Scottish sports writer. He currently holds a long-running column on the back page of The Sunday Times sports section.- Life and career :...
claimed he was the best player never to play for England.
Maddren's final appearance for Boro was on 3 September 1977 against West Bromwich Albion
West Bromwich Albion F.C.
West Bromwich Albion Football Club, also known as West Brom, The Baggies, The Throstles, Albion or WBA, are an English Premier League association football club based in West Bromwich in the West Midlands...
. He was only 26. Maddren had a persistent knee injury and he often played games when in pain. 'He . . . never trained,' said his team-mate Terry Cooper. An operation was unsuccessful and he retired in 1979.
Management and legacy at Boro
When Malcolm AllisonMalcolm Allison
Malcolm Alexander Allison was an English football player and manager. Nicknamed "Big Mal", he was one of English football's most flamboyant and intriguing characters because of his panache, fedora and cigar, controversies off the pitch and outspoken nature.Allison's managerial potential become...
became Middlesbrough manager in 1982 Maddren returned to Ayresome Park
Ayresome Park
-External links:**-References:...
as physiotherapist. By then Boro were struggling in the old Second Division. Allison was sacked on 24 March 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
Liquidation
In law, liquidation is the process by which a company is brought to an end, and the assets and property of the company redistributed. Liquidation is also sometimes referred to as winding-up or dissolution, although dissolution technically refers to the last stage of liquidation...
in 1986 and the near loss of professional football on Teesside
Teesside
Teesside is the name given to the conurbation in the north east of England made up of the towns of Middlesbrough, Stockton-on-Tees, Redcar, Billingham and surrounding settlements near the River Tees. It was also the name of a local government district between 1968 and 1974—the County Borough of...
. At the end of 1985–86 season Boro were relegated to the old Third Division
Football League Third Division
The Football League Third Division was the 3 tier of English Football from 1920 until 1992 when after the formation of the Football Association Premier League saw the league renamed The Football League Division Two...
. 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, 11 May 1985 in Shrewsbury. The following season Maddren was sacked with 13 games remaining, replaced by his assistant Bruce Rioch
Bruce Rioch
Bruce David Rioch is an English-born football manager and former player. He was manager of Aalborg BK in the Danish Superliga, until his sacking on 23 October 2008....
. Despite the failure to turn Boro round Maddren is remembered for his astute signings. Bernie Slaven
Bernie Slaven
Bernard Joseph "Bernie" Slaven is a Scottish-born former Republic of Ireland international footballer. A striker, with 162 goals in 423 league games, in a 12 year career, he also earned seven caps for the Republic of Ireland....
was signed from part-time football in Scotland to become a Middlesbrough legend. He saw the potential of Gary Pallister
Gary Pallister
Gary Andrew Pallister is an English former footballer, most noted for his nine-year spell at Manchester United from 1989 until 1998...
, a defender with Northern League
Northern League (football)
The Northern League is a football league in North East England for semi-professional and amateur teams. Having been founded in 1889, it is the oldest surviving football league in the world after the Football League....
Billingham 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 included Stephen Pears
Stephen Pears
Stephen Pears is an English former footballer. Born in Brandon, County Durham, he played as a goalkeeper for Manchester United, Middlesbrough, Liverpool and Hartlepool United in a career spanning 20 years...
, a reserve goalkeeper from Manchester United, Brian Laws
Brian Laws
Brian Laws is an English former footballer and manager, most recently of Burnley.Playing as a defender, Laws made over 100 appearances for each of Burnley, Middlesbrough, and Nottingham Forest. In 1994, Laws became player-manager of Grimsby Town before taking a similar position with Scunthorpe...
and Archie Stephens
Archie Stephens
Arthur 'Archie' Stephens is a retired footballer who played over 120 times for Bristol Rovers before moving north to Middlesbrough. He later went on to play for other local teams Carlisle United and Darlington before finishing his career at Guisborough Town.-External...
, important members of the Third Division promotion winning team of 1986–87. Maddren also brought youth team players through the ranks, including Colin Cooper
Colin Cooper
Colin Terence Cooper is an English former footballer, who spent most of his career at Middlesbrough and Nottingham Forest. Cooper is part of the Middlesbrough coaching staff after leaving his role of assistant manager at Bradford City.-Playing career:He played as a centre back, but was equally...
and Stuart Ripley
Stuart Ripley
Stuart Edward Ripley is a retired English footballer, who played as a winger.With speed as his main asset, he also scored numerous goals, especially in his early career at Middlesbrough.-Football career:...
.
Following his sacking Maddren concentrated on his successful sports shop business.
Illness and death
In 1995, Maddren was diagnosed with the terminal muscle-wasting disease Motor Neurone DiseaseMotor neurone disease
The motor neurone diseases are a group of neurological disorders that selectively affect motor neurones, the cells that control voluntary muscle activity including speaking, walking, breathing, swallowing and general movement of the body. They are generally progressive in nature, and can cause...
(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 the Riverside Stadium
Riverside Stadium
The Riverside Stadium is a football stadium in Middlesbrough, North Yorkshire, England, which has been the home of Middlesbrough F.C. since it opened in 1995...
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 29 August 2000 at a hospice in Stockton-on-Tees
Stockton-on-Tees
Stockton-on-Tees is a market town in north east England. It is the major settlement in the unitary authority and borough of Stockton-on-Tees. For ceremonial purposes, the borough is split between County Durham and North Yorkshire as it also incorporates a number of smaller towns including...
, aged 49.
Just before his death, Maddren commented: 'This is one game I cannot win but I will go down fighting.'
Sources
- 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 Maddren