IT was interesting to read Mike Amos’ Backtrack column last week with regard to Middlesbrough beating Manchester City 8-1 in a Premiership fixture in 2008, which sealed the fate of our then manager, Sven Goran Erikkson (Echo, Mar 23).

I was actually at that game and I remember thinking after the first Boro goal that it was going to be a long game for my beloved City, just after our 6ft-2” centre back, Richard Dunne, got his marching orders early in the game after he gave away a penalty.

I remember the rib tickling I received on the train back home to Darlington from some of my Boro supporting mates, and to this day, one or two of them still like to remind me on about that particular scoreline.

While I always like to have some banter and take the rough with the smooth, deep down, I will never forget that day at the Riverside.

The only other miracle connected to that actual fixture, is that Stewart Downing is still playing for Middlesbrough, but credit when due, he destroyed Manchester City that day.

Christopher Wardell, Darlington