An Audience with the Wolfman

Bernie Slaven is a legend in the north east in fact part of the “Three Legends” a radio show broadcast every evening Monday - Friday in the region. His two pals on the show are Malcolm McDonald of Newcastle United and Mick Horswill late of Sunderland.

But of course Bernie is not from England as his soft accent reveals. He was born on 13th November 1960 in Paisley, Scotland.

Bernie spent a couple of years at Greenock Morton after he graduated from Celtic Boys club. His time at Morton was not particularly successful as history now tells us - they were playing him out of position. Bernie describes himself as a “fringe player” something he would never be at Middlesbrough.

At Morton, where he played a few times with Andy Ritchie, who he calls “Huggy” after Huggy Bear in the famous Starsky and Hutch television series at the time. Bernie played at right half and was great going forward. But as a defender - well Mr. Slaven could not defend. His words not mine.

Bernie left Morton in 1983 after just one goal in 22 starts before rapping it in altogether.

Yes Bernie Slave who graced the fields of Middlesbrough contemplated leaving the beautiful game.

Bernie had been to Tenerife and when he came back his father said; “Andy Ritchie has been to see you”.

Bernie contacted Andy. Ritchie said he wanted Bernie to go to Albion Rovers where he was by this time player-manager. Bernie accepted the invitation.

At Albion Rovers our left half was given a similar role that Andy Ritchie had occupied at Morton. He was an instant success and Bernie went on to play 42 games for Albion Rovers scoring an incredible 27 goals.

At the end of the season Bernie won the Golden Boot award from the Daily Record for the division and collected a crate of champagne.

However by this time Andy Ritchie had moved on to be replaced by Joe Baker. Never one to be tagged greedy Bernie Slaven sought out his former mentor and presented Andy Ritchie with one of the bottles of champagne. His next stop was the local hospital to visit a player, Jim Beacon, who had broken a leg. Jim was not allowed alcohol in the ward but some how Bernie was able to skip past the nurses as he had done with so many defences that season.

Andrew Gold, a reporter with the Weekly News, suggested to Bernie that he circulate his c.v. and availability to all the top clubs in England and Middlesbrough signed him in 1985 for just £25,000.
In all Bernie Slaven, who the Middlesbrough fans called “Wolfman” would score 147 goals in 381 appearances including 119 in the league.

His scoring exploits would earn him a call up to Jack Charlton’s Republic of Ireland squad in the 1990 World Cup in Italy.

Jack had researched Bernie’s ancestry as he had done so many other players and although discovering he was born in Scotland quickly found he had Irish roots. Bernie’s mam was born in Donegal and his dad in Northern Ireland. He could have played for either country. He chose the emerald green of his mother’s homeland.

Bernie would played for the Republic of Ireland on seven occasions - scoring one goal.

In the 1990 World Cup in the group stages Ireland would finish second to England in Group F with a 1-1 draw over England, a 0-0 draw with Egypt and a 1-1 draw with Holland. In the second round Holland would go out 2-1 to West Germany.

Ireland would progress against Romania 5-4 on penalties after a 0-0 draw. England beat Belgium in Bologna and both Ireland and England progressed to the quarter finals.

Ireland lost 1-0 to hosts Italy in Rome, England beat Cameroon 3-2 in Naples setting up a semi final clash with old rivals West Germany.

The score was 1-1 in the England game with Germany winning on penalties to face and beat Argentina including Maradona in the final in Rome 1-0 with a penalty from Brehme. England would lose the third place play off to hosts Italy 2-1 the Schillaci penalty winning it for the Italians.

Yes it was the World Cup of penalties.

Back at Boro in his number 7 shirt Bernie continued his scoring spree until 1992. Goalkeeper Steve Pears said he didn’t strike the ball into the net he passed it.

In his seven and a half years at Middlesbrough the “Wolfman” as he was affectionately known experienced the high and lows that this north east club has to offer.

When it was time to move on he was approached by several clubs. His former boss at Boro, Bruce Rioch was in charge at Bolton, Ossie Ardilles at West Brom and Forest were all thought to be interested in capturing his signature. After all he was a proven goal scorer.

The unlikely winners in the race for Slaven’s signature were Potteries club Port Vale. They were they only club that offered a longer contract, longer that is than the end of the season.

Port Vale would reach the play offs in his first season 1992/3, but first the had an appearance at Wembley on 22nd May 1993 when they picked up the trophy beating Stockport County 2-1. They also beat County by the same score to reach Wembley again but this time they lost 3-0 to West Bromwich Albion.

But Port Vale were promoted in the 1993/4 season as runners up. Bernie’s contribution was 9 goals in 33 appearances. He once again had delivered the goods. Also in that season they were draw at home to Southampton then of the top flight and Port Vale ran out winners 1-0. A Premiership scalp for the underdogs. They would draw Wolves in the next round and lose 2-0.

Bernie then moved to Darlington where 37 appearances would yield seven goals.

He then moved on to become a “legend” on the radio and produce several books via his publishing company. Bernie is considering one book from our sports editor John Riddle.

But all this history might never have seen light of day if Mr. Andy Ritchie had not called at his dad’s house and invited Bernie “Wolfman” Slaven to join him at Albion Rovers.

One legend creating another legend.

Magic.