Danny Graham's last goal for Boro was against Charlton when, as he stooped to head home, he took a boot full in the face and was sparked out
Danny Graham in action for Boro against Doncaster
Danny Graham is hoping he can soon score a league goal for Boro that he remembers.
His last for the club was a late leveller in a 2-2 Premier League draw with Charlton back in February 2005.
But as Graham - who first joined the club as a 19-year-old and is now back on loan from Premier League club Sunderland - stooped to head home, he took a boot full in the face and was sparked out.
“I was knocked out cold so I don’t remember too much about it,” he recalled.
“Hopefully for my next Boro goal I will be more alert and have a chance to celebrate rather than being laid out on the deck.”
Danny Graham
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Graham made his debut for Boro back in October 2004, coming off the bench at Manchester United as Steve McClaren rotated his squad with one eye on the UEFA Cup.
Graham managed to get a taste of that competition too, starting at home in a 3-2 defeat to Sporting Lisbon in March 2005.
But realistically he was never going to force his way past Mark Viduka, Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink, Yakubu, Massimo Maccarone and Malcolm Christie.
“So I left,” he said. “It was the right thing for me to do. I went and learned my trade.
“I’m a better player now and I’m hoping to show Boro fans that as soon as possible.”
And, said the Gateshead born goal-getter, he is in a hurry.
“I’ve got time to make up after what has been the most frustrating year of my career,” he said.
“I wasn’t getting starts at Hull and I’m not a player happy to sit on the bench and pick up money, I want to play.
“I want to score goals. Boro offered me that chance and I’ve jumped at it.
“I’m a bit rusty maybe. I played last week in the cup but that was my first start since Boxing Day.
“But I’m fit and hungry for it so hopefully it won’t be long before I am showing what I can do.”
For Graham it is a chance to start hitting the net again.
At Watford he cracked in 14 and 27 goals in successive campaigns before earning a £3.5m move to newly promoted top flight side Swansea in July 2011 and he banged in another 14 in 39 games for them before new signings and a new manager saw him lose a nailed on spot.
“I know exactly what this division is about and I believe I can score goals here,” he insisted.
“I had two wonderful seasons at Watford and the Championship hasn’t changed a great deal since then.
“I know what to expect. I know how hard it can be, how hard you need to work to get chances but I’m looking forward to it.
“I can’t wait to start helping Boro win games and climb the table.”
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