Middlesbrough struck gold with £500k transfer - He was a history-maker on Teesside | OneFootball

Craig Hignett made Middlesbrough history by being the first player to score at the Riverside Stadium

Craig Hignett made Middlesbrough history by being the first player to score at the Riverside Stadium.

Hignett had a long-standing career that spanned over 19 years, most notably in the Red and White of Middlesbrough. The forward progressed through the ranks with Liverpool as a teenager before being released, and subsequently making the move to start his professional playing days with third division Crewe Alexandra.

Hignett arrived in North Yorkshire for a hefty transfer fee of £500,000 with question marks over his name by the Boro faithful. Having merely played 26 times for Crewe, it was a surprise that the club paid such big money for a player with very little experience. However, he sure went on to silence those queries.

Upon his arrival, Hignett was thrown into a struggling Middlesbrough team who were in the middle of a relegation battle. His first season was therefore difficult as he made his debut in a 4-1 defeat to Oldham Athletic in November 1992.

For what came next for his career, Boro certainly got a return on their investment as he made 194 appearances for the club and scored 48 goals in that time. Hignett also played a key role in the club's famous 1996/97 season, where they reached both the League and FA Cup final.

However, what Hignett will be most remembered for is his spectacular Riverside Stadium debut that will live long in the memory on Boro fans — his performance against Chelsea carved his name into the history books forever.

Craig Hignett scored the first ever goal at the Riverside Stadium

At the beginning of the 1995/96 season, Middlesbrough made the move to their new home ground, the Riverside Stadium in which they came out 2-0 victors against Chelsea. Hignett's 39th minute strike to give them the lead is a goal that is still fondly remembered to this day.

A well-worked move down the left flank carved through the Chelsea defence and Hignett was there at the backpost to fire home a cut back from Nick Barmby into the top right-hand corner.

Hignett gave the Boro fans plenty of memorable moments but none better than this one. His willingness to give his all for the badge, as well as proven ability in putting the ball in the back of the net, was a major factor as to why the winger instantly became a hit at the Riverside.

Craig Hignett may not get the credit he deserves for his Middlesbrough days

In the summer of 1996, under the guidance of Bryan Robson, Hignett was offered on the market for £500,000 despite the player being keen to stay at the club. As a result, Hignett reportedly took a hit to his pay cheque and signed a new deal with Boro, highlighting his love for the club.

Upon the news of him being offered to other clubs, Boro fans took matters into their own hands in putting up a public petition to retain his services on the pitch. The petition got approximately 12,000 signatures and even though he was merely at the club for six seasons, Boro fans regard Hignett as ‘one of their own’.

Hignett saw out his deal after almost being ousted out of the club but was quickly replaced by the arrival of big names such as the likes of Paul Gascoigne and Juninho. After leaving as a free agent at the end of the 1997/98 season, Hignett became somewhat of a journeyman across the UK as he parted Boro for Aberdeen.

After his time in Scotland, the winger spent time with clubs such as Barnsley and Blackburn, where he continued his decent goalscoring form. However, during his time at Leicester, Coventry, Leeds, Darlington and Hartlepool, he failed to make much of an impact and couldn't quite replicate the glory days he had at Boro, where he has his name etched into one piece of Riverside history.