‘I relegated Chelsea at Stamford Bridge – probably the most scared I’ve been at a recreation’
Former Middlesbrough striker Bernie Slaven revealed the fear he and his team-mates endured in opposition to Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.
Slaven was a part of the Boro facet who headed to West London in 1988 for the second leg of their relegation play-off which was dubbed “the battle of Stamford Bridge”. Boro, who had completed third within the Second Division, held a 2-0 lead in opposition to the Blues from the primary leg, who had completed fourth from backside of Division One.
A spot within the First Division for the next season awaited and rigidity was already at boiling level when the customer’s group bus was attacked after they arrived on the floor, two hours earlier than kick-off.
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Goalkeeper Stephen Pears revealed: “The team bus came under attack. People were banging on the bus and even throwing stones. And when we got off, you should have heard the boos. It was really nasty and I remember being worried for members of my family who were there.”
Despite a 1-0 defeat for Boro on the day, they achieved promotion to the First Division at Chelsea’s expense, which noticed the livid Blues followers blow their lid in what Slaven stated was “the most frightened I’ve ever been on a football pitch”.
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(Image: Mirrorpix)
(Image: Mirrorpix)
At full-time, the Republic of Ireland worldwide needed to run for the protection of their dressing room after Chelsea thugs had stormed the pitch, he recalled: “I remember running towards our supporters on the final whistle. There were thousands of them packed behind one of the goals and, as our centre-forward, I was the nearest player to them.
“But as I bought nearer, the look on their faces was one among worry moderately than pleasure and so they gave the impression to be pointing behind me. I rotated and there have been a whole lot of Chelsea followers charging in direction of me. All of my team-mates have been heading in direction of the tunnel, so I simply took off in that course.
(Image: Mirrorpix)
(Image: Getty Images)
“I’ve never been the quickest but it’s funny what adrenaline and fear does to you. I swear I must have broken Linford Christie’s 100 metres record in that dash to safety. I only just made it thank God because those thugs wanted to give us a good kicking.
“One of our lads had a brick hurled at him and there have been fairly a number of shut shaves. I’ve by no means witnessed something prefer it. It’s gone down in Boro folklore as ‘the battle of Stamford Bridge’. “In those days, it was always a hostile place but on this particular night, it was absolute mayhem.”
