Jimmy Daintree is numero uno in the BoroGuide archives and with good reason; the scorer of Boro’s first ever goal in senior football back in 1980. That goal set us on the way to a 3-1 win over ON Chenecks. And an all-conquering 1980-1 United Counties League Division One campaign too! For us, it feels like he was a big part of the club’s furniture during the early 1980s. But, in actual fact, he was only on Boro’s books as a senior player for two seasons.

Jimmy Daintree: Before Boro’

It was from Baldock Town that Daintree would join Boro’; the club at which manager John Brookes first moved him to centre half. Up until that point, he’d actually plyed his trade up front as a striker. In that role, he helped Letchworth Garden City to the Athenian League title before his move to Baldock. A local lad and builder’s labourer by trade, he’d started at youth side Elder United and won county honours with Stevenage Athletic Youth before it was time to step into senior football with Letchworth.

Jimmy Daintree: After Boro’

With Boro’ facing up to the prospect of another season in the UCL Premier Division, the man who helped get us there was on his way in 1982. First, Daintree was turning out for Arlesey Town. Next, he was moving on to Baldock Town. After that, we lose track of his progress – but we guess he was still playing somewhere local enough. With a man like that at the heart of your defence, there’d have been plenty of interest.

And, while he left at the same time as Danny Dance in 1982, there would be no second spell – unlike the striker, who returned in 1986.