Goal number 1,000 was scored by centre forward Andy Wilson on 3rd September 1921 in a 3-2 home win over West Bromwich Albion. He won 12 International caps for Scotland (13 goals) and scored 56 goals in 86 appearances for Boro. He suffered severe injuries to his left arm during the First World War and played most of his career with a protective glove covering his withered forearm and hand.
Goal number 2,000 was scored by another Scottish International, centre half Bobby Baxter on 6th February 1934 in a 2-4 away defeat against Birmingham City. He won 3 Scottish International caps and scored 19 goals in 247 appearances for Boro. He was also a fine golfer, and his grandson once appeared on Roy Castle’s Record Breakers Show after scoring a hole-in-one as a junior at Eaglescliffe GC.
Goal number 3,000 was scored by right winger Billy Day on 3rd April 1955 in a 1-2 away defeat against Rotherham United. Billy was a member of the famous Boro forward line which included Internationals Brian Clough, Alan Peacock and Eddie Holliday. He scored 18 goals in 120 appearances for Boro and later in life was an on-course bookmaker often seen at Redcar Racecourse. Billy sadly died aged 81 in January this year.
Goal number 4,000 was scored by inside forward Eric McMordie on 12th April 1969 in another defeat, 2-3 at home to Bury. Eric was capped 21 times (3 goals) for Northern Ireland and scored 22 goals in 241 appearances for Boro, finishing his career with 47 appearances for Hartlepool United.
Goal number 5,000 was scored by centre forward Bernie Slaven on 25th March 1989 in a 1-1 draw at Wimbledon (I wonder if Bernie is aware of that distinction). Although Scottish by birth, Bernie won 7 International caps for Republic of Ireland (1 goal) and is Boro’s 7th highest all time goalscorer with 118 goals in 307 appearances.
Goal number 6,000 was scored by centre forward Afonso Alves from the penalty spot on 29th October 2008 in a 2-0 home win against Manchester City. Alves earned 8 International caps (1 goal) for Brazil and once scored 7 goals for Dutch club SC Heerenveen in a 9-0 win against Heracles Almelo and scored 45 goals in 39 appearances for the Dutch club. Unfortunately he only scored 10 goals in 42 appearances for Boro, and was considered an expensive flop.
Finally, goal number 6,500 was scored by Britt Assombalonga from the penalty spot on 19th November last year in a disastrous 1-2 away defeat against Leeds United. Will Britt be around to score Boro’s 3,000th Second tier goal, or even goal number 6,600 in all league matches? He could even conceivably score the last goal of the season in Boro’s 4,500th league match which might even be the match which ensures Boro’s promotion to the Premier League. Who knows? But we all await with anticipation for that outcome.