Hayden Hackney attends the Middlesbrough Legacy Game
Hayden Hackney attends the Middlesbrough Legacy Game(Image: Trevor Wilkinson/MI News/NurPhoto)
Hayden Hackney fought back tears as he spoke of his emotion at returning to the Riverside for the Legacy Game.
Hackney returned to Middlesbrough’s home ground for the first time since his summer exit for Everton.
He was given a huge ovation when introduced among many other non-playing former stars at half-time of the event to celebrate 150 years of Boro's history.
Boro fans chanted ‘T-T-Teessider’ at the young star, who earned his Premier League move this summer after starring in Boro’s promotion chase last term, signing off his Boro career by winning the Championship Player of the Year award.
Fighting back tears as he came off the pitch after the half-time presentation, Hackney spoke to Teesside Live as he reflected on his time at the club, and his return to watch players the boyhood Boro fan had watched from the terraces before making his own breakthrough.
With tears in his eyes, Hackney said: “It was unreal. It makes me feel a bit emotional, to be honest. It’s a full house, I’m here watching the legends who I grew up watching from the stands myself.
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“It means everything to be back. Obviously last season didn’t end up the way we wanted it to, so to be able to come back today means everything.
“I know, looking back, to be able to play at the Riverside every weekend, it’s something that makes me feel really proud. It’s special. This club’s meant everything to me since I was a young boy.”
The Redcar midfield star has enjoyed a positive start at his new club, making a positive early impression as he battles to get into David Moyes’ side.
“It’s going really well,” he said. “I’m really enjoying it and I’ve settled in well I think. Hopefully I can gradually get myself into the team and yeah, I’m just really enjoying it.”
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