Middlesbrough Football Club legend John Hickton returned home last week to recall memories of his goal scoring prowess for the club.
The former centre-forward was given a standing ovation as he entered the room and took to the stage at the North Ormesby Workmen’s Club to a sold-out audience.
Hickton returned to Teesside as part of BBC Radio Tees presenter Paul ‘Goffy’ Gough’s 30-year anniversary celebrations.
He made the journey from his home in Chesterfield and was on stage for over two hours as he recalled his times leading the line for the club and amassing so many goals which made him a fans favourite.
Read more: The boys who queued for 12 hours to win year's supply of coffee at Tim Hortons
Hickton made his debut on September 24, 1966, and played his last game April 25, 1978. During this time he played 473 games and 26 as a substitute, placing him in third in Middlesbrough's all-time list for appearances. Hickton was leading goal scorer for the club on seven occasions.
Hickton said: “It was simply magnificent from start to finish and I can’t thank the fans enough for making it so very special, in fact I am truly overwhelmed by the whole night.
“I’m still stunned that so many turned up and from the generations to recall for what for me will always be the very best times of my life, I love the Boro and I still feel the joy and disappointment of whatever the results bring these days.
Hickton, now 78, added: “I will take me a little while to come back down to earth following such a special event and I just want to thank everyone involved for making it a truly unforgettable occasion.
“Middlesbrough is always the first result I look out for and the town has a very special place in my heart as both of my children Joanne and Jonathan, were born on Teesside.”
Read more: Teesside University and North East rock legend team up to offer music scholarship
Goffy said: “The evening with John Hickton has been in the making for some time but it was certainly worth the wait. Fans loved listening to his numerous stories about his time on Teesside and clearly he’s still a big fans favourite 50 plus years on.”
Hickton scored 159 goals for Middlesbrough in 415 appearances between 1966 and 1978 and helped them gain promotion to the old First Division under Jack Charlton.
--
Keep up to date with all the latest news on our website, or follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
You can also follow our dedicated Teesside Facebook page for all the latest in the area by clicking here.
For all the top news updates from right across the region straight to your inbox, sign up to our newsletter here.
Have you got a story for us? Contact our newsdesk on newsdesk@nne.co.uk or contact 01325 505054
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here