In a time before Hayles, Moro and Alford, there was Danny Dance; the original hotshot striker for Boro’ who had two spells with the club during the 1980s. OK, that’s probably putting Gitts’ nose out of joint a little there, but Dance’s 46 goals in 84 outings isn’t to be waved away. Even if he did fall just short of a magical half century…
As one 1981-2 programme puts it, Dance was the scorer of “memorable” goals. One of note was a full-stretch volley to earn Boro’ a point at Rushden Town in January 1982. It says much about the lad, however, that he topped the scoring charts. That’s despite the fact you’d most often see him out wide on the wing – rather than charging up the middle. But then you can’t stop a man who wants to score goals.
Danny Dance: Before Boro’
A fence erector by trade, it could have been so much more for Dance as far as football is concerned. According to his programme profile, he caught the eye as a Stevenage Youth player early doors. England Youth handed him a trial, while Nottingham Forest and West Ham were interested too. Had things been different, we might not have ever heard of him. We might also not have seen the success we did in the early years.
He had spells locally with St Albans City, Hertford Town and Arlesey Town before his time with us. There was also an exotic slice of experience that came about from a summer he spent in Australia; turning out for Adelaide City for a brief time. In addition to his role as a Boro’ goal machine, Dance also turned out for Sunday League side Twin Foxes. That was not, however, something that always sat easy with the management at Broadhall Way.
