Middlesbrough Football Club: Introduction

Middlesbrough Football Club, often simply referred to as “Boro,” is an English professional football club based in the town of Middlesbrough in North Yorkshire. The club has a rich history and is known for its passionate fanbase and contributions to English football.

The Boro currently plays football in the English Championship. The staff at the Fanbase hope that Middlesbrough does well in the coming seasons. So, here’s our comprehensive overview of Middlesbrough FC:

Before we continue, here’s a link to the club’s official website.

Founding and Early History

• Founded: 1876
• Original Name: Middlesbrough Football Club (the name has remained unchanged).
• Founders: Members of the local cricket club formed the club as a means to stay fit during the winter months.
• Early Achievements: Boro won the FA Amateur Cup in 1895 and 1898.

Middlesbrough Football Club: Stadium

• Name: Riverside Stadium
• Location: Middlesbrough, North Yorkshire
• Capacity: Approximately 34,742. The Riverside Stadium generates a massive amount of noise. This is because the Middlesbrough faithful are some of the most fanatical supporters around.
• History: Middlesbrough moved to the Riverside Stadium in 1995, leaving their former home, Ayresome Park, which had been their base since 1903.

Club Colours, Crest and Nicknames

• Colours: Traditionally, Middlesbrough’s home colours are red with white accents.
• Crest: The club’s crest features a red lion, which is symbolic of strength and courage, surrounded by the club’s name and founding year, 1876.
• Nicknames: Middlesbrough has two nicknames: The Boro and The Smoggies with the latter being because of the smog which surrounds the area from the chemical industries on Teesside.

Middlesbrough Football Club: League History

• Football League: Middlesbrough has spent the majority of its history in the English football league system, primarily fluctuating between the top two divisions (now known as the Premier League and the EFL Championship).
• Premier League Era: Middlesbrough was a founding member of the Premier League in 1992, but their most consistent top-flight presence was from 1998 to 2009.
• Recent Years: After relegation from the Premier League in 2009, the club has mostly competed in the EFL Championship, with a brief return to the Premier League for the 2016–2017 season.

Notable Achievements

• Major Trophy: Middlesbrough won the Football League Cup (now the EFL Cup) in 2004, their first and only major trophy to date. They defeated Bolton Wanderers 2-1 in the final.
• European Competition: The club had a notable run in the UEFA Cup (now the UEFA Europa League) during the 2005-2006 season, reaching the final but losing 4-0 to Spanish club Sevilla.
• Best League Finish: The highest league finish in Middlesbrough’s history came in the 1913-1914 season when they finished 3rd in the First Division.

Apart from winning the League Cup in 2004, Boro have very few other honours. They have plenty of runner-up medals and some minor cup victories, so the trophy cabinet is pretty decent.

• England’s second-tier champions (1926-27, 1928-29, 1973-74, 1994-95)
• Anglo-Scottish Cup Winners (1976)
• Kirin Cup Winners (1980)

Famous Players and Managers

• Notable Players:
  • George Camsell: A legendary striker who scored 325 goals for the club in the 1920s and 1930s.
  • Juninho Paulista: A Brazilian playmaker who became a fan favourite during his three spells at the club in the 1990s and 2000s.
  • Bryan Robson: A former England captain who also managed the club.
  • Gareth Southgate: A former player and manager, now England’s national team manager.
• Famous Managers:
  • Jack Charlton: Managed the team from 1973-1977, guiding them to promotion to the First Division.
  • Steve McClaren: Managed the team from 2001-2006, leading Boro to their first major trophy and the UEFA Cup final.

Middlesbrough Football Club: Rivalries

• Main Rivals: Sunderland and Newcastle United, with whom they contest the “Tees-Wear” and “Tees-Tyne” derbies, respectively.
• Other Rivalries: Leeds United is also considered a significant rival due to geographical proximity and competitive history. While Carlisle United see Middlesbrough as their biggest rivals, the Boro supporters ignore this fact. Possibly because of this, Carlisle will goad the Boro all the more!

Ownership and Financials

• Owner: Steve Gibson, a local businessman who took over the club in 1994, is regarded as one of the most loyal and dedicated owners in English football.
• Financials: Under Gibson’s ownership, the club has enjoyed financial stability relative to many other clubs, though it has also faced the financial challenges common in the modern game, especially following relegation from the Premier League.

Middlesbrough Football Club Supporters

• Fan Base: Middlesbrough has a passionate and loyal fan base, primarily drawn from the town of Middlesbrough and the surrounding Teesside area.
• Supporters’ Groups: There are several supporters’ groups and associations that are actively involved with the club, both locally and internationally.

Community and Legacy

• Middlesbrough Foundation: The club is heavily involved in the local community through the Middlesbrough Football Club Foundation, which engages in various charitable and community-focused activities.
• Impact on Football: Middlesbrough is known for its youth academy, which has produced several talented players who have gone on to have successful careers both at Boro and elsewhere.

Recent Seasons

• In recent years, Middlesbrough has remained competitive in the EFL Championship, with ambitions of returning to the Premier League. The club has seen various managerial changes as it strives to find the right formula for promotion.

Trivia

• Middlesbrough was the first football club in the world to be awarded the FA’s ‘Community Club of the Year’ in 1995, recognizing their efforts in the local community.

Middlesbrough FC is a club with a proud history, strong community ties, and a deep connection with its supporters. While they may not have the trophy cabinet of some of the bigger clubs, their influence and contributions to English football are significant.

Middlesbrough Football Club Promotion

The Football Fan Base is here for Boro supporters to have their say. Indeed, here at the Fanbase, the Middlesbrough promotion party is well underway.

By responding to the football posts here and creating your very own blog posts, you are promoting Middlesbrough FC. Also, if you would like us to add further information here to the Middlesbrough Info Page, let us know.

Are you going to allow Sunderland supporters to have a go at you without a reply? Do you want Newcastle supporters to punch bigger than their weight? Forget the horse! Of course not. This is because Middlesbrough is the top dogs in the northeast of England, right?

** Information updated on September 2, 2024.