We were saddened to learn of the passing of our former player Richard 'Dickie' Rooks.
A Sunderland lad, Dickie (pictured above, far right) began his career with the Black Cats, and was given his first consistent spell in their team by Boro legend George Hardwick.
Dickie became one of Raich Carter's final signings as Boro boss when he joined in 1965 for a fee of £20,000, but it was under Carter's successor Stan Anderson - who had known Dickie from his Sunderland days - that the centre-half became a promotion-winner, helping Boro finish second in the old third division in 1966/67.
Dickie became a fan favourite at Boro, evidenced by his place among an elite list to have won the club's Player of the Season award twice, in back-to-back 1967/68 and 1968/69 campaigns. He'd make a total of more than 150 appearances for the Teessiders, scoring 14 goals - including a hat-trick in one match as a makeshift striker.
Disappointed at losing his spot in Boro's team in the final games of the 1968/69 season, Dickie moved on to Bristol City that summer, where he'd end his professional career three years later owing to injury.
He returned to Sunderland as a self-employed builder, while also coaching with the FA.
Dickie passed away last weekend at the age of 83. Our condolences go to his family and friends.