THE HISTORY OF MIDDLESBROUGH
Middlesbrough FC (commonly known as Boro) was founded in 1876. The club was actually the brainchild of members of the Middlesbrough cricket team, who wanted a way to stay fit during the winter months.
Based in the North-East of England, in a region known as Teesside, they have only spent two seasons of their 132-year history outside the top two divisions. In 1992, they became one of the founding members of the Premier League.
The last decade, under the guidance of benevolent owner Steve Gibson – who led a consortium to rescue the club from financial crisis in 1986 - has been the most successful in the club’s history. In the space of two seasons in 1997-1998, they reached three domestic cup finals. And they ended their long wait for their first major trophy in 2004, when they defeated Bolton Wanderers 2-1 to win the League Cup. Under Steve McLaren, who later went on to become England manager, they reached the UEFA Cup final in 2006, losing out to a strong Sevilla side. McClaren was succeeded by current manager, Gareth Southgate in 2006.
In 1995, Middlesbrough FC moved to a new purpose-built home, the Riverside Stadium, which now has a capacity of 35,100. It is the third stadium in their history, after their first ground Albert Park and Ayresome Park (where they spent 92 years of their history from 1903-95).
The club has always enjoyed a passionate support. A survey at the start of the 2007–08 season named Middlesbrough supporters as the seventh loudest set of fans in the Premier League.
Boro traditionally play in an all-red kit, with white trimmings. In May 2007, they adopted a new club crest, a modern reworking of their ‘lion rampant’ motif. Two months later, the club also unveiled a new sponsor - satellite navigation systems manufacturers, Garmin, which has been described as “the biggest deal in the club’s history”.
The club have a proud tradition of signing Brazilian players, most notably Juninho Paulista, who starred for the Teessiders in the 1990s. Other Brazilians to have featured for the club include Branco, Emerson, and currently Fabio Rochemback. Local legends include Bernie Slaven, Gary Pallister and Bryan Robson (who later returned as manager). Among the other big-name foreign strikers to have played for the club are Italian Fabrizio Ravanelli, Australia’s Mark Viduka and Croatian Alen Boksic.
Based in the North-East of England, in a region known as Teesside, they have only spent two seasons of their 132-year history outside the top two divisions. In 1992, they became one of the founding members of the Premier League.
The last decade, under the guidance of benevolent owner Steve Gibson – who led a consortium to rescue the club from financial crisis in 1986 - has been the most successful in the club’s history. In the space of two seasons in 1997-1998, they reached three domestic cup finals. And they ended their long wait for their first major trophy in 2004, when they defeated Bolton Wanderers 2-1 to win the League Cup. Under Steve McLaren, who later went on to become England manager, they reached the UEFA Cup final in 2006, losing out to a strong Sevilla side. McClaren was succeeded by current manager, Gareth Southgate in 2006.
In 1995, Middlesbrough FC moved to a new purpose-built home, the Riverside Stadium, which now has a capacity of 35,100. It is the third stadium in their history, after their first ground Albert Park and Ayresome Park (where they spent 92 years of their history from 1903-95).
The club has always enjoyed a passionate support. A survey at the start of the 2007–08 season named Middlesbrough supporters as the seventh loudest set of fans in the Premier League.
Boro traditionally play in an all-red kit, with white trimmings. In May 2007, they adopted a new club crest, a modern reworking of their ‘lion rampant’ motif. Two months later, the club also unveiled a new sponsor - satellite navigation systems manufacturers, Garmin, which has been described as “the biggest deal in the club’s history”.
The club have a proud tradition of signing Brazilian players, most notably Juninho Paulista, who starred for the Teessiders in the 1990s. Other Brazilians to have featured for the club include Branco, Emerson, and currently Fabio Rochemback. Local legends include Bernie Slaven, Gary Pallister and Bryan Robson (who later returned as manager). Among the other big-name foreign strikers to have played for the club are Italian Fabrizio Ravanelli, Australia’s Mark Viduka and Croatian Alen Boksic.
