FORMER Middlesbrough and Newcastle star Stuart Boam has died aged 77.
The iconic defender passed away after a battle with illness.
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Former Middlesbrough star Stuart Boam has died aged 77Credit: Colorsport
The iconic defender also turned out for NewcastleCredit: Getty
Boam became a fan favourite at Boro during the 70s, playing nearly 400 times while skippering the side.
He also starred at Newcastle and Mansfield, who he later went on to manage.
Middlesbrough paid tribute to Boam with a heartfelt statement on social media.
It read: “The club is deeply saddened to hear the passing of our former captain Stuart Boam following a lengthy illness.
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“A centre-back by trade, Stuart’s brave defending and work-rate earned him a place in the starting line-up right off the bat from signing for Middlesbrough.
“Our thoughts are with his family and friends.”
Fans also paid their respects online, with one saying: “Absolute gentleman.”
Another declared: “RIP big man.”
Boam ended up running a newsagents after quitting footballCredit: Alamy
One noted: “Very sad news, he was a colossus.”
Another added: “Giant of a man, RIP.”
Boam started his pro career at Mansfield in 1966 aged 19, playing 175 times before Boro came calling.
He moved to the north east in 1971 and became Middlesbrough captain just two years later.
In 1974 Boam helped his club win the Second Division title.
And fans sang his praises by regularly chanting: “Six foot two, eyes of blue, Stuey Boam is after you.”
Boam eventually left Boro in 1979, moving to nearby Newcastle.
He turned out 69 times for Toon before departing two years later for first club Mansfield as player-manager.
Boam managed just 15 appearances in his second spell as he focused more on the coaching side.
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But he was sacked in 1983 and retired later that year after a brief spell at Hartlepool which yielded just one game.
Boam went on to work as a manager for photo company Kodak, before setting up shop running a newsagents.
Stuart Boam’s brilliant career
Playing career (domestic league stats only)
- Mansfield Town, 1966-1971: 175 games, 3 goals
- Middlesbrough, 1971-1979: 322 games, 14 goals
- Newcastle, 1979-1981: 69 games, 1 goal
- Mansfield Town, 1981-1983: 15 games, 1 goal
- Hartlepool United, 1983: 1 game, 0 goals
Managerial career
- Mansfield Town, 1981-1983
