Hayden Hackney has described his emotional farewell to Middlesbrough as an 'amazing moment' that will stay with him forever. The lifelong Boro supporter, now a key figure for Everton, returned to the Riverside earlier this month for the club's Legacy Game to say a proper goodbye to the fans he grew up supporting.
Hackney, 24, was introduced to the crowd but could not play, having missed his final competitive game for the club-the 2024 Championship play-off final against Hull City at Wembley-through injury. His last act in a Boro shirt was a magical one, scoring the only goal in the 2024 League Cup semi-final first leg win over Chelsea at the Riverside. "That was an amazing moment," Hackney said.
Hackney's Wembley farewell
He did return to Wembley for that play-off final, coming on as a second-half substitute to a deafening roar from the Boro end. That standing ovation marked the end of a chapter for the midfielder who considers Middlesbrough his club. He expressed honour at having represented them and now aims to do the same with Everton, who are in the Carabao Cup semi-finals against Fleetwood Town. Hackney has already made an impact for his new side, scoring his first Everton goal against Newcastle United. He is expected to stay in David Moyes's starting line-up and is set to feature in that key <a href="/fixtures">cup tie</a>. His mates are even planning to travel up the A19 from Redcar for the game at Goodison Park.
Boro's current charge
While Hackney chases cup success, Middlesbrough are forging their own path at the top of the Championship. The side currently sits <a href="/standings">first with 28 points</a> from 13 games, holding a two-point lead at the summit. Their recent form is formidable, with four wins and a draw from their last five matches, a run that includes a 3-0 victory over Charlton last time out. That win, on Saturday 31 October, saw Will Lankshear score twice to take his season tally to 13 goals, making him the team's top scorer. This impressive form, which also includes a 5-1 win at Bolton and a 3-2 victory at Stoke, has seen the team score 30 goals and concede 17 this season. The club's next challenge is an away fixture against Wrexham on Wednesday 4 November, as they look to maintain their position at the top of the table.
That strong position offers hope for Hackney's wish to see his boyhood club back in the Premier League. Hackney's immediate focus, however, is on helping Everton handle their Carabao Cup semi-final against Fleetwood, a competition he believes represents a genuine chance for early glory with his new club.
More detail at The Northern Echo
