Legendary Boro fan’s dreams come true as he finally gets on the radio – and with some special guest stars

A legendary Boro supporter has celebrated a birthday to remember thanks to his dedication to the team.

Eric Hughes has become well known to many Middlesbrough FC fans over the years. He made a name for himself by carrying his huge radio through the Ayresome Park turnstiles to the Riverside to keep everyone informed on news and scores around the country before we had all the news we needed at our fingertips.

Eric’s big radio was the source of news for many fans as they approached games and on leaving he’d also have instant updates. He has been a reliable source for thousands of Boro fans over three decades and now he has made a special radio appearance to celebrate his years of dedication.

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A chance meeting with BBC Radio Tees presenter Paul ‘Goffy’ Gough years ago led to Eric being invited as a special guest to events where his Boro idols took centre stage. Legends such as Bryan Robson, John Hickton, Jim Platt, David Armstrong and many others were just a few that Eric was able to meet, and now he has had a special event of his own to celebrate – his 60th birthday.

Goffy explained: “It was when he started talking about his 60th birthday that I started thinking how we could make it memorable for him at BBC Radio Tees.

“Eric had said that he had always wanted to appear on the radio and had never had the opportunity to do so. It was bizarre that after becoming famous for carrying his radio around – he had never appeared on one.

“Through my long running ‘Inspirations’ feature I was able to arrange that quite easily and to chat on air with him about the impact that his association with so many players had had on his life.”

Goffy decided to make a whole show to celebrate Eric’s special birthday and tracked down his old Boro heroes like Tony Mowbray, Billy Ashcroft, Craig Hignett, David Hodgson and others. They even organised a video message from BBC Radio Tees Boro match pundit Neil Maddison.

Eric struggles to get to games now due to rising costs, so his link to the radio is vital to him as he tunes in at his home in Redcar. The exposure on the radio has prompted some offers to go to the games next season as a guest, which Eric is thrilled about.

Speaking on the show about his early Boro memories, Eric said: “I was staying at my nana’s in Napier Street back in the early 70s just alongside Ayresome Park and on a Saturday I would see loads of fans going to the game and I would open up all the windows and hear them all singing.

“I used to join in with them whilst listening to the game on the radio. On a Tuesday night game I could see the floodlights illuminating my nana’s house and I used to walk all around the home watching it all unfold – from that moment I was hooked.

“The fans still stop me when I’m out shopping and talk about the good old days and the great players.”

Most fans remember Eric from watching the Speedway at Cleveland Park and his many visits to see shows at Middlesbrough Town Hall. After being on the radio he even received a call from Roy ‘Chubby’ Brown who personally invited him to see his show at Middlesbrough Town Hall in July.

Football is his number one love though and he cherishes the memories he has dedicated to the club over the years. He spoke of his love of Middlesbrough FC and the people who made it, saying: “Jack Charlton, David Hodgson. Billy Ashcroft and Tony Mowbray would let me jump in the back of their cars with the players after training over at Hutton Road and take me back to Ayresome Park and they were so lovely to me.

“They were all great friends and I used to get really upset when they moved to other clubs as they were a big part of my life and I had to get used to not seeing them each day when they were no longer there.”

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