Mssinterview

mss interview Heine Otto Heine…During the early 1980s, money another matter). A few days brink of relegation to what is because not having seen a was not tight at Middlesbrough before the start of the 1981-82 now the Second Division. Otto recent photograph of Heine for Football Club, it was non- season, the unknown then returned to Holland a year 15 years, I am concerned that I by Shaun Keogh existent. The established team Dutchman Heine Otto became before Boro’s nadir of may not recognise him, and built by Jack Charlton and John one of only a few players to join liquidation and relegation. that he may have forgotten Neal was falling apart, the Boro at that time who actually Heine became a crowd about our arrangement to meet players whose names were cost any money. He was signed favourite during very lean times on this day, which we had tied once first on the team sheet – for what was to the club, a at Ayresome, playing under five up by telephone a few weeks such as Craig Johnston, Mark whopping £100,000, managers or caretakers, and before. Proctor and David Armstrong – ostensibly as a replacement for proving his loyalty by staying at When he does appear, there were leaving for more Mark Proctor. He played in the Boro, even though he had other is no mistaking him and I feel promising pastures. opening game of the 1981-82 offers. Now back in his native ashamed for thinking he may The cash from these sales season in the (old) First Holland, I tracked him down have deteriorated in middle went into the Bottomless Pit Of Division in a 1-3 defeat at and he was more than happy to years. This fit, muscular and Debt, keeping creditors from Tottenham, where he scored be interviewed. I wait for him, tanned person bounces up the the door until the next player Boro’s goal. as arranged, in the players stairs in training top and could be sold. This meant that For the rest of that season lounge overlooking the training shorts, looking more 35 than Boro were more than keen to and the three that followed, pitches and the magnificent 45. With his own hair and look at any players on free Otto only missed appearing in Amsterdam Arena. I anxiously teeth, too. Bastard. transfers or on loan that might two games out of a possible scan every middle aged looking He buys me a beer, and to come available. (Persuading 189, a time that saw the club person (in other words fat, the background chatter of the the player that it was a good slip from a respectable foothold balding, C&A clothes…) who Ajax youth squad, we get to idea to come to Boro was in the (old) First Division, to the comes into the vast room, work…s …one who had a heartHeine Otto today 36 mss Autumn 2000 mss Autumn 2000 37 by Shaun Keogh Heine Otto “I still have some video tapes of my playing days at Boro, and there is one that is still my favourite moment” s When you joined Boro they had just finished in respectable Heine Otto good ideas of how to run a football team. I was very disap- I was substitute for a couple of early games in my second Far left: Otto in Beagrie in my place. Then he said maybe it’s better for both of mid-table of the (old) First Division; you probably thought pointed when he was sacked. But he didn’t have a hope, season, and then in my last season Willie Maddren put me on action against us if I get another club. I was put on the transfer list, but I did that you were joining a club with prospects; however, when factfile: because circumstances dictated that the club had to sell all of the bench for a match at Grimsby. (All true; I checked. What a Arsenal at not want to leave. you left after four seasons, they had only managed to avoid Hendrikus the good players, and the club could not afford to replace them. memory! SK) Ayresome Park. However, I never had any regrets about going to Boro. even relegation to the old 3rd Division during the last game of the Matheus Otto At the time, nobody seemed to think it was all that bad; but then Through the struggle of your time at Boro, what do you Do you think the when we were fighting against relegation. Of course, everybody season; can you pin point the moment when the rot really n Born: 24th in my last season under Willie Maddren, we had to win the last remember most fondly? club asked the wanted success, but it is the easiest thing to do to leave when set in? August 1954 game to stay up, and as you know the following year Boro were I still have some video tapes of my playing days at Boro, and police to spread the club is not doing well. I know that some clubs showed an As you know a lot of players were sold but they were mostly n Signed for Boro relegated. there is one that is still my favourite moment. We were playing themselves out to interest in me while I was there, but for me it was never an replaced by youngsters. It always takes longer for young players 25th August You were one of the first Dutch players to come to the UK - Arsenal in the FA Cup at Ayresome, at a time when we were make it look like option. I signed a contract and kept to it. 1981 there were more to settle in. we could see by the fifth or sixth game of my first How did you come to sign for Boro? failing desperately in the league and the fans as well as the Have you visited the Riverside Stadium? n Debut v Spurs there? season that it was going to be a real hard fight to survive. As away 29th August Yes, there were a few Dutch players who had come before me players were in need of something positive. We had gone 0-1 Near left: The I visited the Riverside Stadium a couple of years ago as part of you know, that season we were relegated and then the next 1981 (Lost 1-3, – Arnold Muhren and Frans Thijssen (both Ipswich). I think that down on a frozen pitch, then in the 89th minute a long ball was younger Otto my coaching badge. It is fantastic what has been achieved there three years we were fighting against further relegation. Boro’s goal a director of one of the British clubs recommended me to Boro, sent into the edge of the Arsenal penalty area, and I scored the Top right: Otto on by Steve Gibson and Bryan Robson; it is a totally different club Were there outside influences that made it harder? scored by Otto) because I was out of contract with FC Twente. (Paul Readman equaliser. The noise from the crowd was tremendous from the a visit to a local in reality, but with the same name as the old one. Having said It was made harder with the changes of managers. Murdoch n 184 (3) says that Otto came to Boro’s attention following a recommen- time that the ball was launched downfield and grew steadily to scouring powder that, and I know that I am bound to say this, but I still think that was sacked, so Shep took over, then Malcolm Allison took over, appearances, dation from Bobby Robson, the manager of Ipswich at the time. a massive crescendo as I scored. When I watch it now, it still manufacturer. Ayresome Park was terrific. then Jack Charlton then Willie Maddren. So there was a lot of 28 goals He had earmarked Otto to replace Thijssen who was coming to gives me goose bumps nearly twenty years later. You know, Bottom right: Who Do you remember specific players? hassle at that time; also there was no money, and instability in the end of his contract. When Thijssen signed a new deal, he no when I want to watch that tape, I don’t have to spend ages Stephen Bell was tremendously talented, he signed a very good The Diehards remembers the the boardroom – there were three or four chairmen in the time Most consecutive longer needed to pursue Otto, so suggested him to Boro.) winding or rewinding, trying to find that goal, because when I Canon League? long term contract, but from what I hear that proved to be his that I was there. It was very unsettling, especially for the young- Boro You made your debut four days after you signed - had you put the tape into the machine, it is already in the right place. And the Marske downfall. Tony Mowbray was just starting to prove himself, and sters. appearances: already moved to England? You clearly have fond memories of your time at Boro… Machine Co? and it is good to see that he will be in the Premier League next However, things looked like they were going to get better The Top Five: No. I was invited to Middlesbrough from Holland and thought I My wife and I occasionally think back to our time there, and we those lucky season. when Mal took over, because for me he was one of the best 1. David would just stay for a few days, training and being checked out.

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