IN the late 1950s, I’d often spend my pocket money to stand on the terraces at Field Mill and watch "The Stags", or Mansfield Town, in action. In reality, I was there to marvel at the skill of Lindy Delaphena.
He was born in Jamaica but played for Middlesbrough from 1949 to 1958, scoring 93 goals. I could not understand why Boro let him go nor how a player of his quality came to be playing football at the old Third Division North level.
Besides being extremely fit he was an exceptionally skilful player although his pre-eminence did make Mansfield’s playing tactics fairly rudimentary. The ball would simply be pumped out to Lindy and everyone in a Mansfield shirt would gather in the opposing penalty area in anticipation of his cross.
Altogether he played 115 games for the Stags, scoring 27 goals. I believe his phenomenal fitness was a legacy of being an outstanding junior athlete in his native Jamaica and later in the British Army. I understand he was also an excellent cricketer.
What wonderful days, when a schoolboy could afford to watch his heroes from the terraces, and perhaps even bump into them on the bus. Furthermore, as I penned this letter, it was pleasant to recall that I cannot remember Lindy ever being racially abused by spectators.
VJ Connor, Bishop Auckland
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