I AM saddened to hear of the death of North-East football hero Stan Anderson.

I remember Stan best for delivering the goods as Middlesbrough manager, on 16th May 1967, when Boro won the greatest game I ever witnessed at Ayresome Park.

Of course, I refer to Middlesbrough’s 4-1 defeat of Oxford, which propelled them back into the Second Division.

The drama started at the end of the previous season when Boro were ignominiously relegated to the Third Division.

Stan had just taken the reins at the club but it was too late to save Boro from the drop.

At first, things didn’t go much better in the lower flight, but then Boro put in a late surge, winning match after match, until promotion became possible if only they could win the final game against Oxford.

My girlfriend and I squashed into Ayresome Park with another 40,000 fans.

Boro delivered, with a 4-1 scoreline (O’Rourke 3, Hickton1). With promotion assured, we joyously invaded the pitch with Stan appearing in the north stand to salute the ecstatic fans.

I grabbed a divot of turf for a souvenir to plant in my late father’s lawn.

Thanks Stan. A night to remember!

Steve Kay, Redcar & Cleveland Councillor