MIDDLESBROUGH F.C.
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(Redirected from Middlesbrough FC)
'Middlesbrough Football Club' (commonly known as 'Boro') are an English football club based in Middlesbrough, Tees Valley, who currently play in the Premier League. Formed in 1876, they have played at the 35,100 capacity Riverside Stadium since August 1995, their third ground since turning professional in 1889. They were founding members of the Premier League in 1992.[2] The club's main rivals are Newcastle United and Sunderland.
The club's highest league finish to date was third in the 1913–14 season and have only spent two seasons outside of the Football League's top two divisions. The club came close to folding in 1986 after experiencing severe financial difficulties before the club was saved by a consortium led by then board member and current chairman Steve Gibson. Middlesbrough won the League Cup in 2004, the club's first and only major trophy. The current manager is former captain Gareth Southgate who was appointed on June 7 2006.[3]
The club's traditional kit colour is red, with a varying amount of white. The various crests throughout the club history, the most recent of which was adopted in May 2007,[4] incorporate a red lion. The official mascot is Roary the Lion.
Main articles: History of Middlesbrough F.C.
The football club was originally formed by Middlesbrough Cricket team players to stay fit during the winter. They won the FA Amateur Cup in 1895 and again in 1898. The club turned professional in 1889, but reverted to amateur status in 1892.[5] They turned professional permanently in 1899.[6] After two seasons, they won promotion to the First Division, where they would remain for the next 22 years.
In 1903 the club moved to Ayresome Park, their home for the next 92 years. In 1905 the club sanctioned the transfer of Alf Common for £1000, a record fee.[7] Over the next few years, their form fluctuated greatly, rising to 6th in 1907-08 before dropping to 17th two seasons later. The club rose to their highest league finish to date, 3rd, in 1913–14.[8] World War I soon intervened and football was suspended.
Before competitive football resumed, Boro won the Northern Victory League, but the team were unable to maintain their previous form and finished the 1919–20 season in mid-table. They remained in the First Division for the next few seasons, but were relegated in 1923–24 after finishing bottom, ten points adrift of their nearest rivals.[9]
Three seasons later, they won the Division Two title. During that season, debutant George Camsell, who had signed from Third Division North side Durham City the previous season, finished with a record 59 league goals, which included nine hat tricks. He would continue as top scorer for each of the next ten seasons.[10] Their tenure back in the top flight lasted only one season, and the club were relegated. They were promoted at the first attempt in 1928–29, winning another Second Division title. Boro then remained in the First Division until 1954.
The decade before the war saw the emergence of Wilf Mannion and George Hardwick, both of whom would go on to become England internationals in the years ahead. Boro climbed to fourth in the last full season before World War II and were expected to challenge for the title next season, but the war intervened. After the war, the club was unable to recover the form of the previous seasons and hovered around mid-table and exited in the early rounds of the FA Cup. Soon afterwards the team began to falter, eventually suffering relegation in 1953–54. This was the start of a 20 year spell outside the top division, but saw the emergence of one of the club's top goalscorers, Brian Clough, who scored 204 goals in 222 games, before he left for Sunderland.[11] Over that period, Boro maintained reasonable progress in the Second Division but were never serious contenders for promotion. After a fourth place finish in 1962–63, Boro endured a steady decline and were relegated to the Third Division for the first time in their history in 1966.
New manager Stan Anderson returned the club to the second flight at the first attempt. Boro then wouldn't finish below ninth during the next eight seasons. The FA Cup saw the club never get past the quarter-finals, a feat they were still yet to accomplish in their history. By 1974 Jack Charlton had taken over as manager and guided the team back to the top flight. They ensured promotion as early as 23 March, and with eight games of the season left, they became runaway champions, finishing with a record 65 points.[12]
Back in the top flight, the team had some reasonable cup success, reaching later rounds, but nothing more.[13] 1975–76 however was when Boro won their first silverware as a professional side, lifting the Anglo-Scottish Cup in its first season after a two-legged final win over Fulham.[14]
Boro experienced severe financial difficulties during the mid-1980s. Middlesbrough were dropping down the table, and finished 19th in the 1984–85 season. In April 1986 the club had to borrow £30,000 from the PFA to pay wages. The final game of the season saw Boro relegated to the Third Division once more. That summer, the club called in the Provisional Liquidator and shortly afterwards, the club was wound up and the gates to Ayresome Park were padlocked. Without the £350,000 capital required for Football League registration, a new rule, it seemed inevitable that the club would fold permanently. However, Steve Gibson, a member of the board at the time, brought together a consortium and with ten minutes to spare before the deadline, they completed their registration with the Football League for the 1986–87 season.[15] Following the registration came both a change of club crest and a change of the official company name to Middlesbrough Football and Athletic Club (1986) Ltd.[16]
Over the next two seasons, Boro gained successive promotions into Division Two and then into Division One. The next season though, they came straight back down to Division Two, and with it came the then British transfer record move of Gary Pallister to Manchester United for £2.3m.[17] Despite constant promotion and relegation, Middlesbrough were founder members of the FA Premier League for the 1992–93 season.[18]
Player-manager Bryan Robson, from Manchester United, took charge in 1994 and Middlesbrough were brought back into national attention.[19] Following promotion to the Premier League and high-profile purchases like diminutive Brazilian Juninho, many considered Middlesbrough were on the way up.[20] However, a difficult 1996–97 season was compounded by a deduction of three points imposed just after Christmas, as punishment for the club's failure to fulfil a fixture against Blackburn, which ultimately resulted in relegation. Without the points deduction, Boro would have had enough points to avoid relegation. At the same time, the club managed to reach both the League and FA cup finals for the first time, but lost out in both. They were again runners up in the League Cup final the next year too, despite being in the second tier.
The 2003–04 season was the most successful in the club's history as they finally won a major trophy after beating Bolton 2–1 in the League Cup final under manager Steve McClaren.[21] This success also ensured that Boro would qualify for Europe - the UEFA Cup - for the first time, in which they reached the last 16. UEFA cup qualification was achieved for the second consecutive year after a dramatic 1–1 away draw with Manchester City thanks to a late penalty save from Mark Schwarzer in the last game of the season.[22]
On 27 April 2006, Middlesbrough reached the UEFA Cup final in Eindhoven, following two comebacks from 3–0 down.[23][24] However, the team lost 4–0 to Sevilla.[25] Following the cup final, McClaren left to head up the England team, and captain Gareth Southgate took over, despite not having the coaching qualifications, but he was allowed to continue after receiving special dispensation.[26]
Although Middlesbrough F.C. formed in 1876, they did not adopt their current colours of red and white until 1899. Previous kits included a red and black striped home shirt with black shorts and socks, and a white shirt with blue shorts and socks. The Middlesbrough kit remained broadly the same over the years with a red shirt and socks and either red or white shorts. The distinctive broad white stripe across the chest was introduced by Jack Charlton in 1973 (following an attempt to change the home shirt to a Leeds United-style white shirt) and brought back for a one-off in 1997–98 and then again for the 2000–01 and 2004–05 seasons due to popular demand.[27]
The Middlesbrough crest has gone through four incarnations since the formation of the club. Initially, the badge was simply the town of Middlesbrough's crest with a red lion instead of a blue lion in order to fit in with the club's colours. Following the adoption of the white band on the shirts in 1973, only the red lion remained with the letters "M.F.C" underneath in red. This was further adapted following the reformation of the club in 1986 to a circular crest with the lion in the middle and the words "Middlesbrough Football Club 1986" around the circle in order to reflect this new era. In 2007, Middlesbrough changed their crest once again, this time with the lion inside a shield and the words "Middlesbrough Football Club 1876" underneath. The Club stated that this was to reflect the club's long history and not just its post-liquidation status.
The current kit is produced by Errea and is only available in the UK from the official club shops and Middlesbrough's online store.[28] The club's shirt sponsor since 2004 was the Gibraltarian online gambling portal, 888.com in a deal worth approximately £1.5 million per year, though this contract expired at the end of the 2006–07 season. Following a delay in the announcement of the new sponsors, the new kit sponsors were announced on 20 July 2007 as satellite navigation device manufacturers Garmin.[29][30]
Main articles: Ayresome Park, Riverside Stadium
After formation in 1876, and with the club still amateurs, Middlesbrough's first two years of football were played at Albert Park in Middlesbrough. After seeing the damage being caused by players and supporters, the Park Committee ordered the club to find an alternate venue. The club moved to Breckon Hill, behind the present-day Middlesbrough College, after agreeing to rent the land from its owner. However, two years later in 1880, the owner increased the rent and the club decided to move. They moved into the Linthorpe Road Ground in 1882, home at the time of Middlesbrough Cricket Club. The cricket club departed in 1893–94 to move to the Breckon Hill field, and Boro became sole users of the ground.
With the club's growing size, and entry to the Football League, they had to move to a new ground in 1903, Ayresome Park. It was designed by Archibald Leitch and would be the Boro's home for the next 92 years. Following the Taylor Report in 1990, the ground either needed modernising or the club needed a new stadium. The club decided on the latter, and moved out at the end of the 1994–95 season. It was used as a training ground during 1995–96, before it was demolished in 1997 and a housing estate built in its place.[31] The club now trains at Rockcliffe Park.
The Riverside Stadium, named by the supporters of the club after a vote, became the club's home in 1995. It was the first stadium to be built in line with the Taylor Report's recommendations on all-seater stadia for clubs in the top two divisions of the English football league system.[32] It was originally a 30,000 seater stadium, before it was expanded in 1998 to its current 35,100 capacity.
Middlesbrough fans can be found in places as far apart as Norway,[33] Northern Ireland, South Korea,[34] Singapore,[35] Azerbaijan and New York.[36] Middlesbrough Official Supporters Club, which features its own team in the local football league,[37] has links with supporters' clubs across the globe. The largest supporters' clubs include the Official Supporters' Club, the Middlesbrough Disabled Supporters' Association, Yarm Reds, and Middlesbrough Supporters South.[38]
Traditionally supporters come from Middlesbrough itself and towns in the immediate area. Support from residents of Darlington and Hartlepool is limited due to those towns having their own teams. Middlesbrough have one of the highest proportions in Britain of locally born season ticket holders (80%) and one of the highest proportions of female fans at 20%.[39]
The nickname Smoggies was first used as a derogatory term by opposing supporters, but was later used by Middlesbrough fans in a somewhat self-deprecating manner before finally being adopted as a badge of pride by Boro supporters. An example of this can be seen on the banners carried to away games stating "Smoggies on Tour".[40]
Middlesbrough supporters' main rivals are Newcastle United (with whom they contest the Tyne-Tees derby), Sunderland, and Leeds United, a fact confirmed by planetfootball.com's 2004 survey,[41] where Newcastle and Sunderland fans also considered Middlesbrough to be amongst their top three rivalries (in third and second places respectively). There is no notable rivalry with their immediate neighbours Hartlepool United and Darlington. This is mainly because the clubs have very rarely been in the same league. In fact some Middlesbrough fans indirectly support the two clubs by looking out for results and occasionally attending games when Middlesbrough are not playing.
Middlesbrough fans were notably praised by UEFA executive Lars-Christer Olsson after their behaviour during the 2005–06 UEFA Cup campaign.[42] He commended that:
Middlesbrough were the first English football club to broadcast time-delayed full-match footage of their league games on their own channel, "Boro TV", in August 2001.[44] Boro TV ran through NTL cable television until July 2005.[45] The club now show match highlights through a subscription-based scheme on their official website.[46].
Middlesbrough's official matchday programme, Redsquare, was the 2006–07 Programme Monthly Programme of the Year.[47] There are numerous other fanzines available both online and in paper format, most notably Fly Me To The Moon, formed in September 1988 following Bruce Rioch's quote to Tony Mowbray, stating "If I had to go to the moon I'd want you by my side".[48]
★ 'Football League Division One'[49]
:Champions 1994–95; runners up 1997–98
★ 'Football League Second Division'
:Champions 1926–27, 1928–29, 1973–74; runners up 1901–02, 1991–92
★ 'Football League Third Division'[50]
:Runners up 1966–67, 1986–87
★ 'Northern League'
:Champions 1893–94, 1894–95, 1896–97; runners up 1890–91, 1891–92, 1897–98
★ 'League Cup'
:Winners 2004; runners up 1997, 1998
★ 'FA Cup'
:Runners up 1997
★ 'FA Amateur Cup'
:Winners 1894–95, 1897–98
★ 'Zenith Data Systems Cup'
:Runners up 1990
★ 'UEFA Cup'
:Runners up 2005–06
★ 'Anglo-Scottish Cup'[51]
:Winners 1976
★ 'Kirin Cup[52]
:Winners 1980
''As of 2007-09-04.''[53]
★ Chairman: Steve Gibson
★ Chief Executive: Keith Lamb
★ Player/Manager: Gareth Southgate
★ Assistant Manager: Malcolm Crosby
★ First Team Coach: Colin Cooper
★ First Team Coach: Steve Harrison
★ Reserve Team Coach: Steve Agnew
★ Goalkeeping Coach: Paul Barron
★ Youth Academy Director: Dave Parnaby
★ Youth Coach: Martin Scott
★ Youth Goalkeeping Coach: Stephen Pears
''As of 31 August 2007.''[54]
:''For recent transfers, see List of English football transfers Summer 2007.''
:''For appearance details for the current season, see Middlesbrough F.C. Season 2007–08.''
:''For career statistics relating to the current squad, see List of Middlesbrough F.C. players.''
''As of 2007-09-04.''[55]
:''For the team's reserve and Academy squads, see Middlesbrough F.C. Reserves and Academy.''
There have been many players that can be called notable throughout Middlesbrough's history. These can be classified and recorded in several forms. The Halls of Fame and top record holders are noted below.
These players were voted for by fans as part of a campaign with the Evening Gazette.[56]
★ George Camsell
★ George Hardwick
★ Wilf Mannion
★ Brian Clough
★ John Hickton
★ Willie Maddren
★ Tony Mowbray
★ Bernie Slaven
★ Juninho Paulista
★ Gareth Southgate
These players made over 450 appearances during their time at the club. Number indicates number of appearances.[57]
★ Tim Williamson ''(602)''
★ Gordon Jones ''(532)''
★ John Hickton ''(499)''
★ John Craggs ''(488)''
★ Jim Platt ''(481)''
★ George Camsell ''(453)''
These players scored more than 140 goals during their time with the club. The number in brackets indicates the number of goals scored.
★ George Camsell ''(345)''
★ George Elliott ''(213)''
★ Brian Clough ''(204)''
★ John Hickton ''(193)''
★ Micky Fenton ''(162)''
★ Bernie Slaven ''(146)''
★ Alan Peacock ''(141)''
The Football League 100 Legends is a list of "100 legendary football players" produced by The Football League in 1998, to celebrate the 100th season of League football.[58]
★ Steve Bloomer
★ Alf Common
★ George Camsell
★ Wilf Mannion
★ George Hardwick
★ Nobby Stiles
★ Graeme Souness
★ Bryan Robson
★ Paul Gascoigne
The English Football Hall of Fame is housed at The National Football Museum in Preston, England. The Hall aims to celebrate and highlight the achievements of top English Footballers and Footballers who have played in England. These players appeared for or managed Middlesbrough at some point in their careers.[59]
★ Paul Gascoigne ''(2002 inductee)''
★ Brian Clough ''(2002 inductee)''
★ Viv Anderson ''(2004 inductee)''
★ Wilf Mannion ''(2004 inductee)''
★ Jack Charlton ''(2005 inductee)''
★ Bryan Robson ''(2002 inductee)''
The following are all the full time Middlesbrough managers since the club turned professional in 1899.[60]
;Official websites
★ MFC.co.uk Official club website
★ Middlesbrough at the Premier League official website
;News sites
★
★ Middlesbrough news from Sky Sports
;General fan sites
★ ''Fly Me To The Moon'' fanzine
★ Boro Nation on the ''Rivals'' network
★ Boro-Stat statistics and graphs
★ Come On Boro
★ Middlesbrough Supporters South
★ TheBOROfc records and statistics
1. The Riverside Stadium
2. Middlesbrough, Offical Site of the Premier League
3. Southgate appointed as Boro boss
4. New Badge Reflects Boro's Long Heritage
5. Middlesbrough A Complete Record 1876–1989, , Harry, Glasper, Breedon Books Sport, ,
6. Club History - Birth of The Boro: 1876-1902
7. Battling with the Boro for 125 years
8. Club History - Early Years: 1903-World War II
9. League history
10. Heroes - George Camsell
11. Heroes - Brian Clough
12. Club History - Mannion, Hardwick, Clough and Charlton: 1945 to 1986
13. Cup history
14. The Anglo-Scottish Cup
15. Like A Phoenix From The Flame
16. Club History - Winners At Last! 1986 to present
17. Manchester United: The Sir Alex Era - Part 1
18. Middlesbrough History
19. Bryan Robson
20. Middlesbrough Football Club
21. Boro lift Carling Cup
22. Fixtures & Results (2004–05)
23. Middlesbrough 4-1 Basle
24. M'brough 4-2 S B'chrst
25. Fixtures & Results (2005–06)
26. Southgate wins coaching badges appeal
27. Any Answers?
28. DAVE ALLAN INTERVIEW 23-12-05
29. Boro Sponsorship Talks Ongoing
30. Boro Announce New Sponsor
31. Road to the Riverside
32. Boro FC club info, The Riverside Stadium
33. Middlesbrough Football Club Supporters Club Norway
34. Middlesbrough F.C. Cafe
35. Middlesbrough FC: Singapore Official Supporters' Club
36. Link Up Scheme
37. Supporters' Clubs
38. Supporters' clubs
39. Football's Rich Pickings
40. Banners
41. Football Rivalries: The Complete Results
42. 'Impeccable' Boro fans win praise
43. Boro fans praised for behaviour
44. Boro first to take advantage of new TV rights regulations
45. Boro television channel to close
46. Official website
47. Success is taken as read (section title)
48. 12 years of fmttm
49. Second tier of English football.
50. Third tier of English football.
51. Other Records
52. Kirin Cup
53. Who's Who
54. Boro Squad
55. Injuries, Suspensions and Loans
56. Boro Legends
57. Sky Sports Football Yearbook 2006-2007, Rollin, Glenda & Rollin, Jack, , , Headline, 2006,
58. Sport: Football Legends list in full
59. Hall of Fame
60. MFC History - Managers
'Middlesbrough Football Club' (commonly known as 'Boro') are an English football club based in Middlesbrough, Tees Valley, who currently play in the Premier League. Formed in 1876, they have played at the 35,100 capacity Riverside Stadium since August 1995, their third ground since turning professional in 1889. They were founding members of the Premier League in 1992.[2] The club's main rivals are Newcastle United and Sunderland.
The club's highest league finish to date was third in the 1913–14 season and have only spent two seasons outside of the Football League's top two divisions. The club came close to folding in 1986 after experiencing severe financial difficulties before the club was saved by a consortium led by then board member and current chairman Steve Gibson. Middlesbrough won the League Cup in 2004, the club's first and only major trophy. The current manager is former captain Gareth Southgate who was appointed on June 7 2006.[3]
The club's traditional kit colour is red, with a varying amount of white. The various crests throughout the club history, the most recent of which was adopted in May 2007,[4] incorporate a red lion. The official mascot is Roary the Lion.
History
Main articles: History of Middlesbrough F.C.
Boro's finishing positions since entry to the FL
The football club was originally formed by Middlesbrough Cricket team players to stay fit during the winter. They won the FA Amateur Cup in 1895 and again in 1898. The club turned professional in 1889, but reverted to amateur status in 1892.[5] They turned professional permanently in 1899.[6] After two seasons, they won promotion to the First Division, where they would remain for the next 22 years.
In 1903 the club moved to Ayresome Park, their home for the next 92 years. In 1905 the club sanctioned the transfer of Alf Common for £1000, a record fee.[7] Over the next few years, their form fluctuated greatly, rising to 6th in 1907-08 before dropping to 17th two seasons later. The club rose to their highest league finish to date, 3rd, in 1913–14.[8] World War I soon intervened and football was suspended.
Before competitive football resumed, Boro won the Northern Victory League, but the team were unable to maintain their previous form and finished the 1919–20 season in mid-table. They remained in the First Division for the next few seasons, but were relegated in 1923–24 after finishing bottom, ten points adrift of their nearest rivals.[9]
Three seasons later, they won the Division Two title. During that season, debutant George Camsell, who had signed from Third Division North side Durham City the previous season, finished with a record 59 league goals, which included nine hat tricks. He would continue as top scorer for each of the next ten seasons.[10] Their tenure back in the top flight lasted only one season, and the club were relegated. They were promoted at the first attempt in 1928–29, winning another Second Division title. Boro then remained in the First Division until 1954.
The decade before the war saw the emergence of Wilf Mannion and George Hardwick, both of whom would go on to become England internationals in the years ahead. Boro climbed to fourth in the last full season before World War II and were expected to challenge for the title next season, but the war intervened. After the war, the club was unable to recover the form of the previous seasons and hovered around mid-table and exited in the early rounds of the FA Cup. Soon afterwards the team began to falter, eventually suffering relegation in 1953–54. This was the start of a 20 year spell outside the top division, but saw the emergence of one of the club's top goalscorers, Brian Clough, who scored 204 goals in 222 games, before he left for Sunderland.[11] Over that period, Boro maintained reasonable progress in the Second Division but were never serious contenders for promotion. After a fourth place finish in 1962–63, Boro endured a steady decline and were relegated to the Third Division for the first time in their history in 1966.
New manager Stan Anderson returned the club to the second flight at the first attempt. Boro then wouldn't finish below ninth during the next eight seasons. The FA Cup saw the club never get past the quarter-finals, a feat they were still yet to accomplish in their history. By 1974 Jack Charlton had taken over as manager and guided the team back to the top flight. They ensured promotion as early as 23 March, and with eight games of the season left, they became runaway champions, finishing with a record 65 points.[12]
Back in the top flight, the team had some reasonable cup success, reaching later rounds, but nothing more.[13] 1975–76 however was when Boro won their first silverware as a professional side, lifting the Anglo-Scottish Cup in its first season after a two-legged final win over Fulham.[14]
Boro experienced severe financial difficulties during the mid-1980s. Middlesbrough were dropping down the table, and finished 19th in the 1984–85 season. In April 1986 the club had to borrow £30,000 from the PFA to pay wages. The final game of the season saw Boro relegated to the Third Division once more. That summer, the club called in the Provisional Liquidator and shortly afterwards, the club was wound up and the gates to Ayresome Park were padlocked. Without the £350,000 capital required for Football League registration, a new rule, it seemed inevitable that the club would fold permanently. However, Steve Gibson, a member of the board at the time, brought together a consortium and with ten minutes to spare before the deadline, they completed their registration with the Football League for the 1986–87 season.[15] Following the registration came both a change of club crest and a change of the official company name to Middlesbrough Football and Athletic Club (1986) Ltd.[16]
Over the next two seasons, Boro gained successive promotions into Division Two and then into Division One. The next season though, they came straight back down to Division Two, and with it came the then British transfer record move of Gary Pallister to Manchester United for £2.3m.[17] Despite constant promotion and relegation, Middlesbrough were founder members of the FA Premier League for the 1992–93 season.[18]
Player-manager Bryan Robson, from Manchester United, took charge in 1994 and Middlesbrough were brought back into national attention.[19] Following promotion to the Premier League and high-profile purchases like diminutive Brazilian Juninho, many considered Middlesbrough were on the way up.[20] However, a difficult 1996–97 season was compounded by a deduction of three points imposed just after Christmas, as punishment for the club's failure to fulfil a fixture against Blackburn, which ultimately resulted in relegation. Without the points deduction, Boro would have had enough points to avoid relegation. At the same time, the club managed to reach both the League and FA cup finals for the first time, but lost out in both. They were again runners up in the League Cup final the next year too, despite being in the second tier.
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The 2003–04 season was the most successful in the club's history as they finally won a major trophy after beating Bolton 2–1 in the League Cup final under manager Steve McClaren.[21] This success also ensured that Boro would qualify for Europe - the UEFA Cup - for the first time, in which they reached the last 16. UEFA cup qualification was achieved for the second consecutive year after a dramatic 1–1 away draw with Manchester City thanks to a late penalty save from Mark Schwarzer in the last game of the season.[22]
On 27 April 2006, Middlesbrough reached the UEFA Cup final in Eindhoven, following two comebacks from 3–0 down.[23][24] However, the team lost 4–0 to Sevilla.[25] Following the cup final, McClaren left to head up the England team, and captain Gareth Southgate took over, despite not having the coaching qualifications, but he was allowed to continue after receiving special dispensation.[26]
Colours and crest
Although Middlesbrough F.C. formed in 1876, they did not adopt their current colours of red and white until 1899. Previous kits included a red and black striped home shirt with black shorts and socks, and a white shirt with blue shorts and socks. The Middlesbrough kit remained broadly the same over the years with a red shirt and socks and either red or white shorts. The distinctive broad white stripe across the chest was introduced by Jack Charlton in 1973 (following an attempt to change the home shirt to a Leeds United-style white shirt) and brought back for a one-off in 1997–98 and then again for the 2000–01 and 2004–05 seasons due to popular demand.[27]
Middlesbrough F.C. crest 1986–2007
The Middlesbrough crest has gone through four incarnations since the formation of the club. Initially, the badge was simply the town of Middlesbrough's crest with a red lion instead of a blue lion in order to fit in with the club's colours. Following the adoption of the white band on the shirts in 1973, only the red lion remained with the letters "M.F.C" underneath in red. This was further adapted following the reformation of the club in 1986 to a circular crest with the lion in the middle and the words "Middlesbrough Football Club 1986" around the circle in order to reflect this new era. In 2007, Middlesbrough changed their crest once again, this time with the lion inside a shield and the words "Middlesbrough Football Club 1876" underneath. The Club stated that this was to reflect the club's long history and not just its post-liquidation status.
The current kit is produced by Errea and is only available in the UK from the official club shops and Middlesbrough's online store.[28] The club's shirt sponsor since 2004 was the Gibraltarian online gambling portal, 888.com in a deal worth approximately £1.5 million per year, though this contract expired at the end of the 2006–07 season. Following a delay in the announcement of the new sponsors, the new kit sponsors were announced on 20 July 2007 as satellite navigation device manufacturers Garmin.[29][30]
Stadia
The Riverside Stadium in 2006
Main articles: Ayresome Park, Riverside Stadium
After formation in 1876, and with the club still amateurs, Middlesbrough's first two years of football were played at Albert Park in Middlesbrough. After seeing the damage being caused by players and supporters, the Park Committee ordered the club to find an alternate venue. The club moved to Breckon Hill, behind the present-day Middlesbrough College, after agreeing to rent the land from its owner. However, two years later in 1880, the owner increased the rent and the club decided to move. They moved into the Linthorpe Road Ground in 1882, home at the time of Middlesbrough Cricket Club. The cricket club departed in 1893–94 to move to the Breckon Hill field, and Boro became sole users of the ground.
With the club's growing size, and entry to the Football League, they had to move to a new ground in 1903, Ayresome Park. It was designed by Archibald Leitch and would be the Boro's home for the next 92 years. Following the Taylor Report in 1990, the ground either needed modernising or the club needed a new stadium. The club decided on the latter, and moved out at the end of the 1994–95 season. It was used as a training ground during 1995–96, before it was demolished in 1997 and a housing estate built in its place.[31] The club now trains at Rockcliffe Park.
The Riverside Stadium, named by the supporters of the club after a vote, became the club's home in 1995. It was the first stadium to be built in line with the Taylor Report's recommendations on all-seater stadia for clubs in the top two divisions of the English football league system.[32] It was originally a 30,000 seater stadium, before it was expanded in 1998 to its current 35,100 capacity.
Supporters
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Middlesbrough fans can be found in places as far apart as Norway,[33] Northern Ireland, South Korea,[34] Singapore,[35] Azerbaijan and New York.[36] Middlesbrough Official Supporters Club, which features its own team in the local football league,[37] has links with supporters' clubs across the globe. The largest supporters' clubs include the Official Supporters' Club, the Middlesbrough Disabled Supporters' Association, Yarm Reds, and Middlesbrough Supporters South.[38]
Traditionally supporters come from Middlesbrough itself and towns in the immediate area. Support from residents of Darlington and Hartlepool is limited due to those towns having their own teams. Middlesbrough have one of the highest proportions in Britain of locally born season ticket holders (80%) and one of the highest proportions of female fans at 20%.[39]
The nickname Smoggies was first used as a derogatory term by opposing supporters, but was later used by Middlesbrough fans in a somewhat self-deprecating manner before finally being adopted as a badge of pride by Boro supporters. An example of this can be seen on the banners carried to away games stating "Smoggies on Tour".[40]
Middlesbrough supporters' main rivals are Newcastle United (with whom they contest the Tyne-Tees derby), Sunderland, and Leeds United, a fact confirmed by planetfootball.com's 2004 survey,[41] where Newcastle and Sunderland fans also considered Middlesbrough to be amongst their top three rivalries (in third and second places respectively). There is no notable rivalry with their immediate neighbours Hartlepool United and Darlington. This is mainly because the clubs have very rarely been in the same league. In fact some Middlesbrough fans indirectly support the two clubs by looking out for results and occasionally attending games when Middlesbrough are not playing.
Middlesbrough fans were notably praised by UEFA executive Lars-Christer Olsson after their behaviour during the 2005–06 UEFA Cup campaign.[42] He commended that:
You have the satisfaction of knowing that, although your team did not win the game, your supporters present in Eindhoven proved to the world that football fans can turn a match into a friendly, violence-free celebration.Middlesbrough fans had also been praised by Cleveland Police force for their behaviour in previous rounds, particularly in the light of aggravation prior to and during the match at Roma.[43]
Media relations
Middlesbrough's award-winning Redsquare programme
Middlesbrough were the first English football club to broadcast time-delayed full-match footage of their league games on their own channel, "Boro TV", in August 2001.[44] Boro TV ran through NTL cable television until July 2005.[45] The club now show match highlights through a subscription-based scheme on their official website.[46].
Middlesbrough's official matchday programme, Redsquare, was the 2006–07 Programme Monthly Programme of the Year.[47] There are numerous other fanzines available both online and in paper format, most notably Fly Me To The Moon, formed in September 1988 following Bruce Rioch's quote to Tony Mowbray, stating "If I had to go to the moon I'd want you by my side".[48]
Honours
Domestic
League
★ 'Football League Division One'[49]
:Champions 1994–95; runners up 1997–98
★ 'Football League Second Division'
:Champions 1926–27, 1928–29, 1973–74; runners up 1901–02, 1991–92
★ 'Football League Third Division'[50]
:Runners up 1966–67, 1986–87
★ 'Northern League'
:Champions 1893–94, 1894–95, 1896–97; runners up 1890–91, 1891–92, 1897–98
Cup
★ 'League Cup'
:Winners 2004; runners up 1997, 1998
★ 'FA Cup'
:Runners up 1997
★ 'FA Amateur Cup'
:Winners 1894–95, 1897–98
★ 'Zenith Data Systems Cup'
:Runners up 1990
International
★ 'UEFA Cup'
:Runners up 2005–06
★ 'Anglo-Scottish Cup'[51]
:Winners 1976
★ 'Kirin Cup[52]
:Winners 1980
Club staff
''As of 2007-09-04.''[53]
Executive members
★ Chairman: Steve Gibson
★ Chief Executive: Keith Lamb
Team management
★ Player/Manager: Gareth Southgate
★ Assistant Manager: Malcolm Crosby
★ First Team Coach: Colin Cooper
★ First Team Coach: Steve Harrison
★ Reserve Team Coach: Steve Agnew
★ Goalkeeping Coach: Paul Barron
★ Youth Academy Director: Dave Parnaby
★ Youth Coach: Martin Scott
★ Youth Goalkeeping Coach: Stephen Pears
Players
Current squad
''As of 31 August 2007.''[54]
:''For recent transfers, see List of English football transfers Summer 2007.''
:''For appearance details for the current season, see Middlesbrough F.C. Season 2007–08.''
:''For career statistics relating to the current squad, see List of Middlesbrough F.C. players.''
Players out on loan
''As of 2007-09-04.''[55]
Reserves and Academy
:''For the team's reserve and Academy squads, see Middlesbrough F.C. Reserves and Academy.''
Notable players
There have been many players that can be called notable throughout Middlesbrough's history. These can be classified and recorded in several forms. The Halls of Fame and top record holders are noted below.
Boro Legends
These players were voted for by fans as part of a campaign with the Evening Gazette.[56]
★ George Camsell
★ George Hardwick
★ Wilf Mannion
★ Brian Clough
★ John Hickton
★ Willie Maddren
★ Tony Mowbray
★ Bernie Slaven
★ Juninho Paulista
★ Gareth Southgate
Top appearances
These players made over 450 appearances during their time at the club. Number indicates number of appearances.[57]
★ Tim Williamson ''(602)''
★ Gordon Jones ''(532)''
★ John Hickton ''(499)''
★ John Craggs ''(488)''
★ Jim Platt ''(481)''
★ George Camsell ''(453)''
Top goalscorers
These players scored more than 140 goals during their time with the club. The number in brackets indicates the number of goals scored.
★ George Camsell ''(345)''
★ George Elliott ''(213)''
★ Brian Clough ''(204)''
★ John Hickton ''(193)''
★ Micky Fenton ''(162)''
★ Bernie Slaven ''(146)''
★ Alan Peacock ''(141)''
Football League 100 Legends
The Football League 100 Legends is a list of "100 legendary football players" produced by The Football League in 1998, to celebrate the 100th season of League football.[58]
★ Steve Bloomer
★ Alf Common
★ George Camsell
★ Wilf Mannion
★ George Hardwick
★ Nobby Stiles
★ Graeme Souness
★ Bryan Robson
★ Paul Gascoigne
English Football Hall of Fame
The English Football Hall of Fame is housed at The National Football Museum in Preston, England. The Hall aims to celebrate and highlight the achievements of top English Footballers and Footballers who have played in England. These players appeared for or managed Middlesbrough at some point in their careers.[59]
★ Paul Gascoigne ''(2002 inductee)''
★ Brian Clough ''(2002 inductee)''
★ Viv Anderson ''(2004 inductee)''
★ Wilf Mannion ''(2004 inductee)''
★ Jack Charlton ''(2005 inductee)''
★ Bryan Robson ''(2002 inductee)''
Managers
The following are all the full time Middlesbrough managers since the club turned professional in 1899.[60]
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External links
;Official websites
★ MFC.co.uk Official club website
★ Middlesbrough at the Premier League official website
;News sites
★
★ Middlesbrough news from Sky Sports
;General fan sites
★ ''Fly Me To The Moon'' fanzine
★ Boro Nation on the ''Rivals'' network
★ Boro-Stat statistics and graphs
★ Come On Boro
★ Middlesbrough Supporters South
★ TheBOROfc records and statistics
References and notes
1. The Riverside Stadium
2. Middlesbrough, Offical Site of the Premier League
3. Southgate appointed as Boro boss
4. New Badge Reflects Boro's Long Heritage
5. Middlesbrough A Complete Record 1876–1989, , Harry, Glasper, Breedon Books Sport, ,
6. Club History - Birth of The Boro: 1876-1902
7. Battling with the Boro for 125 years
8. Club History - Early Years: 1903-World War II
9. League history
10. Heroes - George Camsell
11. Heroes - Brian Clough
12. Club History - Mannion, Hardwick, Clough and Charlton: 1945 to 1986
13. Cup history
14. The Anglo-Scottish Cup
15. Like A Phoenix From The Flame
16. Club History - Winners At Last! 1986 to present
17. Manchester United: The Sir Alex Era - Part 1
18. Middlesbrough History
19. Bryan Robson
20. Middlesbrough Football Club
21. Boro lift Carling Cup
22. Fixtures & Results (2004–05)
23. Middlesbrough 4-1 Basle
24. M'brough 4-2 S B'chrst
25. Fixtures & Results (2005–06)
26. Southgate wins coaching badges appeal
27. Any Answers?
28. DAVE ALLAN INTERVIEW 23-12-05
29. Boro Sponsorship Talks Ongoing
30. Boro Announce New Sponsor
31. Road to the Riverside
32. Boro FC club info, The Riverside Stadium
33. Middlesbrough Football Club Supporters Club Norway
34. Middlesbrough F.C. Cafe
35. Middlesbrough FC: Singapore Official Supporters' Club
36. Link Up Scheme
37. Supporters' Clubs
38. Supporters' clubs
39. Football's Rich Pickings
40. Banners
41. Football Rivalries: The Complete Results
42. 'Impeccable' Boro fans win praise
43. Boro fans praised for behaviour
44. Boro first to take advantage of new TV rights regulations
45. Boro television channel to close
46. Official website
47. Success is taken as read (section title)
48. 12 years of fmttm
49. Second tier of English football.
50. Third tier of English football.
51. Other Records
52. Kirin Cup
53. Who's Who
54. Boro Squad
55. Injuries, Suspensions and Loans
56. Boro Legends
57. Sky Sports Football Yearbook 2006-2007, Rollin, Glenda & Rollin, Jack, , , Headline, 2006,
58. Sport: Football Legends list in full
59. Hall of Fame
60. MFC History - Managers
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