Middlesbrough FC 1965

"We had brought Raich Carter Horatio Stratton "Raich" Carter (born February 21, 1913 in Hendon, Sunderland; died October 9, 1994 in Willerby, near Hull) was one of the greatest English footballers of the pre-war era. in as manager and good players like Alan Peacock Alan Peacock (born 29 October 1937, Middlesbrough) is a former English footballer.

He spent the majority of his career at Middlesbrough, also playing for Leeds United and Plymouth Argyle. , Mick McNeil Mick McNeil (born 7 February, 1940 in Middlesborough) is an English former professional footballer. During his career he made 178 appearances for Middlesbrough and almost 150 appearances for Ipswich Town. He also played for his country on nine occasions between 1960 and 1961. and Cyril Knowles Cyril Barry Knowles (born July 13, 1944 in Fitzwilliam, West Yorkshire; died August 30, 1991 in Middlesbrough, North Yorkshire) was a full-back for Tottenham Hostpur and England. He was the brother of footballer Peter Knowles. had all been sold, and Brian Clough Brian Howard Clough, OBE (21 March, 1935 – 20 September, 2004) was a successful footballer and subsequently football manager, most notable for his success with Derby County and Nottingham Forest. before them.

"Raich replaced these with players from Scotland, but they were not good enough, and the team began to deteriorate.

"We were at the end of a steep decline when we went to Cardiff.

"Raich was one of the best footballers of all time, but his ideas of man management didn't work and the team suffered."

Stan Anderson, having originally arrived on Teesside as a player, was caretaker manager on that fateful night.

Gordon said: "There wasn't much Stan could do on the night.

"Fortunately the directors made the right decision in the summer and made him full time manager.

"It was the best thing that could have happened to the club at the time.

"Stan changed the whole thing around. He brought the kids through and he signed crucial players like John Hickton and John O'Rourke.

"Hickton was signed as a centre-half, but it was only later that he began to mature into a great centre-forward.

"We were third off bottom before Christmas the following season, and to go on and win promotion from that position was a marvellous achievement."

Gordon can see a link between the Boro situation of that time and today's team.