Middlesbrough

Middlesbrough is a football (soccer) club from England.

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Middlesbrough Football Club, also known as The Boro, is an English association football club based in Middlesbrough, who will play in the Football League Championship for the 2009–10 in English football season, following relegation from the Premier League. Formed in 1876, they have played at the Riverside Stadium since August 1995, their third ground since turning professional in 1889. Their longest-serving home was Ayresome Park, where they played for 92 years (1903-1995).

They were one of the founding members of the Premier League in 1992. The club's main rivals are Newcastle United F.C. and Sunderland A.F.C.. They were promoted the following season and spent eleven consecutive seasons in the top division before relegation. Middlesbrough won the Football League Cup in 2004, Middlesbrough's first and only major trophy. On 24 May 2009, Middlesbrough were relegated to the Football League Championship after failing to extend their 11-year stay in the Premier League.

The club's traditional kit is red with white detailing. A white band across the chest, initially introduced in the 1970s, incorporate a lion rampant.

History

The football club was originally formed by Middlesbrough Cricket team players so they could stay fit during the winter. They won the FA Amateur Cup in 1895 and again in 1898. Middlesbrough turned professional in 1889, but reverted to amateur status in 1892. They turned professional permanently in 1899. After three seasons, they won promotion to the Football League First Division, where they would remain for the next . Over the next few years, their form fluctuated greatly, rising to sixth in 1907-08 in English football before dropping to seventeenth two seasons later. Middlesbrough rose to their highest league finish to date, third, in 1913-14 in English football. World War I soon intervened and football was suspended.

Before league football resumed, Middlesbrough won the Northern Victory League, but Middlesbrough were unable to maintain their previous form and finished the 1919-20 in English football season in mid-table. They remained in the First Division for the next few seasons, but were relegated in 1923-24 in English football after finishing bottom, ten points adrift of their nearest rivals. Three seasons later, they won the Football League 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. Their tenure back in the top flight lasted only one season, and Middlesbrough were relegated. They were promoted at the first attempt in 1928-29 in English football, winning another Second Division title. Middlesbrough 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 national football team internationals in the years ahead. Middlesbrough 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. Over that period, Middlesbrough maintained reasonable progress in the Second Division but were never serious contenders for promotion. After a fourth place finish in 1962-63 in English football, Middlesbrough endured a steady decline and were relegated to the Football League Third Division for the first time in their history in 1966.

New manager Stan Anderson returned Middlesbrough to the second flight at the first attempt. Middlesbrough would not finish below ninth during the next eight seasons. Middlesbrough won their first silverware as a professional side in 1975-76 in English football, lifting the Anglo-Scottish Cup in its inaugural season after a two-legged final win over Fulham F.C..

Middlesbrough experienced severe financial difficulties during the mid-1980s. Middlesbrough were dropping down the table, and finished nineteenth in the 1984-85 in English football. In April 1986 Middlesbrough had to borrow £30,000 from the Professional Footballers' Association to pay wages. The final game of the season saw Middlesbrough relegated to the Third Division once more. However, Steve Gibson (businessman), 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 in English football. 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.

Over the next two seasons, Middlesbrough 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 F.C. for £2.3 million. Despite constant promotion and relegation, Middlesbrough were founder members of the FA Premier League for the FA Premier League 1992-93 season.

Player-manager Bryan Robson, from Manchester United F.C., took charge in 1994 and Middlesbrough were brought back into national attention. Following promotion to the Premier League and high-profile purchases like diminutive Brazilian Juninho Paulista, many considered Middlesbrough were on the way up. However, a difficult FA Premier League 1996-97 season was compounded by a deduction of three points imposed just after Christmas, as punishment for Middlesbrough's failure to fulfil a fixture against Blackburn Rovers F.C., which ultimately resulted in relegation. This success also ensured that Middlesbrough 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 F.C. thanks to a late penalty save from Mark Schwarzer in the last game of the season.

On 27 April 2006, Middlesbrough reached the UEFA Cup final in Eindhoven, following two comebacks from 3–0 down. However, Middlesbrough lost 4–0 to Sevilla FC. Following the cup final, McClaren left to head up the England national football team, and captain Gareth Southgate took over, despite not having the coaching qualifications, but he was allowed to continue after receiving special dispensation. During the Middlesbrough F.C. Season 2007-08 season, Southgate broke Middlesbrough's record transfer fee, paying £12 million for Brazil national football team striker Afonso Alves. Southgate's first two seasons saw Middlesbrough finish in 12th and 13th places. He oversaw Middlesbrough reaching the quarter finals of the FA Cup for three seasons, but Middlesbrough was relegated to the Football League Championship on the last day of the Middlesbrough F.C. season 2008-09.

Colours and crest

Middlesbrough's original home kit upon election to the Football League in 1899 was a white home shirt with blue shorts and they did not adopt their colours of red and white until later that season. Previous kits included a white shirt with a blue and white polka dotted collar from around 1889. The Middlesbrough kit has 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 A.F.C. 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. Middlesbrough subsequently announced in December 2007 that Middlesbrough would allow the fans to decide via an online and text vote whether the white band should return for the Middlesbrough F.C. season 2008-09. On 8 January 2008 Middlesbrough announced that the white band was to return, with 77.4% of voters voting in its favour, with the fans to choose the final shirt design from a selection of three designs, of which the winner was announced on 7 May 2008.

The Middlesbrough crest has gone through four changes 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 Middlesbrough'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 Middlesbrough 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's shirt sponsor was announced on 20 July 2007 as satellite navigation manufacturers Garmin. This contract has since been extended until the end of the Middlesbrough F.C. season 2008-09 in a deal described as "the biggest in Middlesbrough's history". Adidas will be making Middlesbrough's kit from season 2009-10 season onwards with a 4 year contract being signed on March 31 2009.

Stadia

After formation in 1876, and with Middlesbrough still amateurs, Middlesbrough's first two years of football were played at Albert Park, Middlesbrough in Middlesbrough. After seeing the damage being caused by players and supporters, the Park Committee ordered Middlesbrough to find an alternate venue. Middlesbrough 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 Middlesbrough decided to move. They moved into the Linthorpe Road West (Cricket 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 Middlesbrough Football Club became sole users of the ground. Middlesbrough now trains at a £7 million complex at Rockliffe Park (Hurworth), in Hurworth-on-Tees, on the outskirts of Darlington.

The Riverside Stadium, named by the supporters of Middlesbrough after a vote, became Middlesbrough'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. It was originally a 30,000 seater stadium, constructed for a modest fee of £16 million, before it was expanded in 1998 to its 35,100 capacity for an extra £5 million. with average attendances approximately 8,000 below full capacity. A low-price children's season card for Middlesbrough F.C. season 2008-09 saw a rise in season card sales for the first time in four years.

Supporters

Traditionally supporters come from Middlesbrough itself and towns in the immediate area. Middlesbrough have one of the highest proportions in Britain of locally-born season ticket holders at 80%, and one of the highest proportions of female fans at 20%. A survey at the start of the 2007–08 season found Middlesbrough supporters were the seventh loudest set of fans in the Premier League.Image:Boro Eindhoven.jpg Middlesbrough Official Supporters Club, which features their own team in the local football league, 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.

Middlesbrough supporters' main rivals are Newcastle United F.C. (with whom they contest the Tyne-Tees derby), Sunderland A.F.C., and Leeds United A.F.C., a fact confirmed by planetfootball.com's 2004 survey, where Newcastle and Sunderland fans also considered Middlesbrough to be amongst their top three rivalries.

The nickname Smoggy was first used as a derogatory term by opposing supporters, it relates to the industrial air pollution (smog) that has been ever present since the Industrial Revolution. But was later used by Middlesbrough fans in a somewhat self-deprecating manner before finally being adopted as a badge of pride by supporters of the club. An example of this can be seen on the banners carried to away games stating "Smoggies on Tour". Middlesbrough fans were notably praised by UEFA Chief Executive Lars-Christer Olsson after their behaviour during the UEFA Cup 2005-06. 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 A.S. Roma.

Media relations

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. Boro TV ran through Virgin Media cable television until July 2005. Middlesbrough now show match highlights through a subscription-based scheme on their official website.

Middlesbrough's official matchday programme, Redsquare, was the 2006–07 Programme Monthly Programme of the Year. There are numerous other fanzines available, most notably Fly Me To The Moon (fanzine), 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".

Community

Middlesbrough Football Club in the Community (MFCIC) was founded in 1995 by club chairman Steve Gibson (businessman) and is the largest community-based football scheme in the United Kingdom. It is run separately from the football club but receives support from both Middlesbrough in terms of providing players, staff, stadium facilities and Public relations in the matchday programme and other publications, as well as support from other local organisations.

Since 2002, Middlesbrough and MFCIC have also run the Middlesbrough Enterprise Academy, a scheme which helps local children improve their entrepreneurial skills and increase their awareness of business planning and finance. In March 2008, plans were announced by the Premier League to roll out the scheme nationally amongst all Premier League clubs.

It was announced in December 2007 that Middlesbrough football club had carried out more community work during 2006-07 in English football than any other Premier League club, rising from second place the previous year, with Middlesbrough making 318 appearances – almost twice the Premier League average of 162. They were in the top two for community appearances again in 2007–08, with 374 – a 17% increase on the previous season.

Middlesbrough's mascot is Roary the Lion. Middlesbrough runs Roary's Children's Charity Fund which purchases items for local children's charities.

Honours

Domestic

League

- Football League Second Division / Football League Division One:
Champions: 1926–27, 1928–29, 1973–74, 1994–95;
Runners-up: 1901–02, 1991–92, 1997–98

- Football League Third Division

- Northern League Division One

International

- UEFA Cup
- Kirin Cup

Club staff

As of 18 July 2009.

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Middlesbrough Legends

These players were voted for by fans as part of a campaign with the Evening Gazette (Teesside).

- George Camsell
- George Hardwick
- Wilf Mannion
- Brian Clough

- John Hickton
- Willie Maddren
- Tony Mowbray

- Bernie Slaven
- Gareth Southgate
- Juninho Paulista

- Mark Schwarzer
- Robbie Mustoe
- Graeme Souness

Top appearances

These players made more than 430 appearances during their time at the club. The number in brackets indicates the number of appearances in all competitions.

- Tim Williamson (602)
- Gordon Jones (footballer born 1943) (532)
- John Hickton (499)

- John Craggs (footballer) (487)
- Jim Platt (481)
- George Camsell (453)

- Jackie Carr (footballer born 1892) (449)
- Mark Schwarzer (446)
- David Armstrong (English footballer) (431)

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 in all competitions.

-
- 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 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.

- 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 Middlesbrough turned professional in 1899.
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References and notes

Arsenal, Aston Villa, Blackburn Rovers, Bolton Wanderers, Chelsea, Everton, Fulham, Hull City, Liverpool, Manchester City, Manchester United, Middlesbrough, Newcastle United, Portsmouth, Stoke City, Sunderland, Tottenham Hotspur, West Bromwich Albion, West Ham United, Wigan Athletic