MATCH PROGRAMME REVIVES MEMORIES OF REGIMENT’S FOOTBALL HEROES
23rd February 2011

A programe from 1989 when Middlesbrough Football Club played against a team from the Green Howards has just been donated to the museum. 

The match on 10 October 1989, was part of the Regiment's 300th anniversary celebrations. One of the guests of honour at the match was legendary Boro player Wilf Mannion, who served with the Green Howards during World War II and was reported missing in the retreat from Dunkirk.  Fortunately he escaped on a supply ship and returned to Richmond, from where he was called up for the first time to play for England, in February 1941.

The other chief guest was another former Boro player, Harold Shepherdson MBE, who signed for the club in 1932 after representing Yorkshire Boys at both cricket and football.  He also served with the Green Howards during the war.  After his playing career he became trainer and physiotherapist for the England team for 17 years - serving for 169 matches, including four world cup campaigns.  The highlight of his career was as trainer for the victorious 1966 squad.

Before the match the Boro players were taken yomping on the moors, were allowed to fire SA80 assault rifles and were trained in unarmed combat.  If the idea was to wear out the opposition before the match, it failed; Boro won the game 5-2.

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