Boro legend Slaven now a man of Steel
KATIE Gibson’s celebration of Teesside Steel and Iron at the Riverside Stadium added another chapter to the varied career story of someone not unfamiliar to a Middlesbrough crowd.
Paisley-born Bernard Joseph Slaven grew up in Glasgow.
His footballing career started at Partick Thistle Amateurs and, after playing for several local teams, a 20-year-old Slaven joined Greenock Morton.
Two years later he had brief spells at Adrieonians and Queen of the South, eventually settling at Albion Rovers.
In 1985, the nomadic forward found his spiritual home at Ayresome Park when he was signed by Willie Maddren prior to Bruce Rioch’s tenure as boss.
Following his sacking and reinstating during the financial turmoil of 1986, Rioch built his team around Slaven.
In eight years, he scored 223 goals in 567 appearances.
His grandad enabled the striker to represent the Republic of Ireland on the international stage.
Slaven’s second high-profile career started in 1996 when he teamed up with the late Ali Brownlee at Century FM to commentate on the Boro.
One of the most memorable off-mike moments must be him honouring a bet made with
Bronwlee. When Boro beat Manchester United at Old Trafford for the first time in 68 years, Binns gained an unorthodox window display combining a retired player, a kilt and the score written across each cheek.
Last week, Slaven continued to entertain Teesside by playing landlord Ken in Steel and Iron.
Ken sings Alistair Griffin’s musical history lesson on the origins of Middlesbrough, which would be fantastic performed in local schools.
Just putting that out there before this adopted Teessider surpasses our expectations yet again.