MIDDLESBROUGH v CARDIFF CITY
SKY BET CHAMPIONSHIP SATURDAY 18 JULY 2020, 3PM
OFFICIAL MATCHDAY MAGAZINE FREE ONLINE
NEIL WARNOCK Good afternoon and welcome to my old club Cardiff City and everyone associated with them. I have so many fond memories of my three years in charge there. It’s not too dissimilar to coming here. When I arrived they were encountering a few problems but as you see today they are not far away from the Premier League once again. I’m hoping that I can help Middlesbrough and the team here in the last two games to secure our Championship status for next season.
I have had a great time since I came up here and have been welcomed by everyone I’ve come across, whether it being strangers in the street or when I’ve been out on my bike being videoed by every Tom, Dick, and Harry. I’ve really enjoyed meeting up with everyone and rest assured I will be doing my best in the last two games to ensure we are in the Championship next season. I would like to thank the players for giving me everything since I’ve come here, and the staff. It is a
great club. I’ve always known that. It’s well run from top to bottom. Steve Gibson us a man I’ve known for many years and it’s his fault that I wasn’t working him for 20 years ago, but he wouldn’t listen! Seriously, it’s great to be here and I hope we can put a smile on everyone’s face in the final two games. Be lucky, Neil
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NEWS
THANK YOU!!!
As this is our last edition of the season, we’d like to take this opportunity to offer you all our heartfelt thanks for your continued support during what has been one of the most surreal campaigns the game has ever seen in this country. You turned up in numbers when allowed up until March and your backing never waivered despite some tough times on the pitch. Since March, you have watched the team in huge numbers via our MatchdayLive streaming service and our viewing figures have been right at the top end of the Championship. We’ve had an estimated average of around 20,000 Boro fans viewing each game, which speaks volumes. Your commitment to renewing Season Cards, supporting retail, supporting our social media initiatives during lockdown, and most significantly, backing the work the club and the MFC Foundation have been doing in the community, only serves to underline how important you are to the club and the region. Boro fans, we thank you all.
‘Mind’ ask fans if they’ve a story to tell?
WHAT NEXT?
Discussions are ongoing with the EFL regarding the start date for the 2020/21 season and as soon as we have more information, it will be available on mfc.co.uk
The EFL and mental health charity Mind have today revealed new-style names and numbers for the 2020/21 campaign and are asking fans to share their stories. Mind were chosen to become the EFL’s official charity partner ahead of the 2018/19 season and aims to raise awareness about mental health with fans, clubs and staff, raise funds to deliver life-changing support and improve the approach to mental health in football and wider society. For the past two seasons, Mind’s and “squiggle” logo has appeared on the back of every EFL shirt across all clubs in the Sky Bet Championship, Sky Bet League One and League Two, in a first for English football. The new designs, created by Elms Partnership, will continue to feature Mind’s logo with the number – and the squiggle will remain joined into the first letter of each player’s name – but with the player’s name replacing the word Mind. To celebrate the launch, the EFL and Mind are asking fans to share their stories of their chosen names and numbers they wear on a matchday via social media. It could be a family name, a year your club won the League or a Trophy, or in relation to a mental health experience of your own or another’s. Share your stories using #haveyourmatesback across social media to be involved. If you need support from Mind visit Mind.org.uk for information and advice. You can also talk to Mind via the confidential Infoline on 0300 123 3393 or text 86463.
Making waves Marcus Tavernier and Patrick Roberts were both acknowledged this week for their recent efforts. Marcus was on the short-list for the Sky Bet Championship Goal of the Month award for his strike at Stoke. Former Boro player Cyrus Christie won the award. Patrick (pictured) was also included in the Wigandominated WhoScored.com Team of the Week after his performances against Bristol City and Reading, where he bagged what could prove to be the decisive goal of our season.
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IN SPORT WE ARE ALL EQUALS
NEWS
Transfer window to open this month The EFL has confirmed the opening and closing dates for the 2020 summer transfer window. Subject to formal ratification, the transfer window will open fully on Monday 27 July, although any player registered before the completion of the 2019/20 season will not be eligible to play for their new club until season 2020/21 commences. This is applicable to clubs involved in the Sky Bet Championship Play-Offs. The window for international registrations closes at 11pm on Monday 5 October, with an agreement in place with the Premier League for an extended two-week domestic only window which will close at 5pm on Friday 16 October.
TIME’S UP FOR SHOTTON AND MOUKOUDI
Kavanagh signs on
Midfielder Calum Kavanagh became the latest youngster to sign scholarship forms with the club. The 16-year-old, son of former Boro midfielder Graham, was a regular in the U18s last season and scored six goals, including a run of five in six games before the season was curtailed in March. Calum is a Republic of Ireland U17 international and has made four appearances, scoring once. Calum’s dad Graham made 47 appearances for the club between 1991 and 1996, after joining from Irish club Home Farm. He went on to make over 600 appearances in a career that took in spells at Stoke, Cardiff, Wigan, Sunderland, Sheffield Wednesday, and Carlisle United. facebook.com/MFCofficial
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Ryan Shotton has played his last game for the Boro. The 31-year-old, who was due to leave the club when his contract expires next week, played 66 minutes of Saturday’s Riverside clash with Bristol City, but wasn’t in the squad to travel to Reading. “Ryan was absolutely fantastic against Millwall last week and he gave us everything against Bristol City at the weekend,” said Boro boss Neil Warnock. “He was feeling an injury during the second half so we brought him off because we didn’t want to make it worse. “This is our third game in less than a week and Ryan wouldn’t have played. With him not being 100 per cent fit, he feels vulnerable to an injury that could prevent him getting him a contract elsewhere. I’m disappointed, but I fully understand his thinking.” Shotton has made 84 appearances since joining the club in August 2017. Meanwhile, Harold Moukoudi has returned to parent club St-Etienne. The 22-year-old’s loan extension came to an end after the win at Millwall and he has now linked up again with his Ligue 1 parent club. Moukoudi made eight appearances for Boro, following his loan move at the end of January. His most recent appearance came in the holding midfield role against QPR at the Riverside a week last Saturday.
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US Vs. THEM CARDIFF CITY Today is the 65th meeting between the two clubs. We have won 21 to Cardiff’s 32, with 11 ending in draws... LAST TIME HERE
DID YOU KNOW?
A Joe Ralls penalty six minutes from time proved decisive in October 2017 as Cardiff City, under the guidance of Neil Warnock, picked up a 1-0 win at the Riverside.
Our first-ever League Cup tie was against Cardiff, a 4-3 defeat at Ayresome Park in 1960.
FIRST OF MANY Alan Peacock scored the first of his seven hat-tricks and nine goals in nine games against Cardiff, in a 4-1 win in January 1958.
FINE MARGINS There’s not usually a lot to separate the two sides when we meet Cardiff. Our 1-0 defeat in Wales in September was the fourth time in five meetings that Cardiff have beaten us by that scoreline. The 1-0 scoreline has been a regular throughout a decade that kicked off with two single-goal wins for the Bluebirds in 2009/10.
SWAPPING SIDES Neil Warnock was in the Bluebirds dug-out when we met earlier in the season when an Ashley Fletcher own-goal settled matters in Cardiff’s favour.
REMEMBERING ALI The last time we beat Cardiff, 3-1 in February 2016, was on an emotional night. It was the 500th game played at the Riverside and was two days before Alastair Brownlee’s funeral. Fabio put Cardiff ahead with his first league goal for five years. A few months later he was a Boro player – but he scored twice for us in two seasons.
You can watch more here...
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MATCH ACTION
BRITT GOAL ONLY A CONSOLATION
Remembering Jack George Saville
Patrick Roberts
Saturday 11 July Sky Bet Championship The Riverside Boro 1 (Assombalonga 82) Bristol City 3 (Wells 6, 79, Paterson 42) Boro: Stojanovic, Spence, Fry, Shotton (Roberts 66), Friend, Johnson, McNair (Coulson 77), Howson (Clayton 83), Saville (Wing 45), Fletcher (Tavernier 66), Assombalonga. Subs not used: Pears (gk), Dijksteel, Morrison, Nmecha. City: Bentley, Benkovic, Kalas, Baker, Hunt (Vyner 87), Paterson (Nagy 87), Weimann, Smith, Dasilva, Diedhiou (Watkins 82), Wells (O’Dowda 83). Subs not used: Wollacott (gk), Eliasson, Rowe, Massengo. Referee: Darren England Yellow cards: Johnson (Boro); none (City) Behind-closed-doors
Britt Assombalonga pulls a goal back.
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MATCH ACTION
BATTLING PERFORMANCE
Tuesday 14 July Sky Bet Championship Madejski Stadium Reading 1 (Moore 33) Boro 2 (Fletcher 45, Roberts 82) Reading: Barbosa, Osho, Morrison, McIntyre, Blackett (Obita 83), Moore (McCleary 83), Meite, Rinomhota, Swift, Olise (Masika 72), Puscas (Baldock 77). Subs not used: Walker (gk), Gunter, Miazga, Baldock, Boyé, Richards. Boro: Pears, Spence, Dijksteel (McNair 86), Fry, Friend (capt), Johnson, Saville, Howson, Tavernier, Fletcher (Assombalonga 73), Roberts (Coulson 88). Subs not used: Stojanovic (gk), Clayton, Nmecha, Wing, Wood. Referee: Andy Woolmer Yellow cards: Puscas, Rinomhota, (Reading); none (Boro) Behind-closed-doors Boro take an unusual entrance into the arena. Anfernee Dijksteel
Marcus Tavernier
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SEES BORO COME FROM BEHIND TO WIN Ashley Fletcher heads the qualiser.
Britt Assombalonga fires Boro in front.
Britt Assombalonga keeps his eyes on the ball.
Here’s our Matchday Rewind from the Madejski
Patrick Roberts celebrates his winning goal.
Marcus Tavernier
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REMEMBERING
BIG JACK A World Cup winner who succeeded brother Bobby as FWA Footballer of the Year in 1967, “Big Jack” joined Boro in his first managerial role following his retirement from playing in 1973. He reportedly worked without a contract on a salary of £10,000 a year, despite the club being willing to pay much more for his services. Typically, one of his first jobs was to oversee the re-painting of Ayresome Park in the hope of making it more attractive to fans for the new season, while he would also introduce the famous white band to Boro’s red shirts as a marker of identity. Promotion was secured with eight games remaining of the 1973/74 season with a 1-0 win at Luton Town. The title was won by a record 15-point
What was life like under Big Jack? Some of his old Boro team told us all about it as part of our #MyBoro series to launch 2017 Season Cards...
margin, when a win was only worth two points, and Jack was named Manager of the Year. It was the first time a manager outside of the top flight had ever won the award. The following season, Boro finished in seventh place in the First Division, only missing out on European football on the final day of the season. The year after that, Boro finished 13th, winning the Anglo-Scottish Cup. 14
Jack eventually parted company with the club at the end of the 1976/77 season, citing four years as being the optimum time to spend with one group of players and suggesting that the team had peaked – although he would later write in his autobiography that he wished he had stayed longer, believing he could have brought the First Division title to the club with a few additional signings. He did return to Boro in 1984, replacing Malcolm
Allison and charged with keeping the club in the second tier. He was successful in his quest – Boro finished 17th, seven points clear of relegation. Jack, who had received an OBE in 1974, was awarded honorary Irish Citizenship and made a freeman of the city of Dublin in 1996. Other honours included being inducted into the English Football Hall of Fame in 2005, and being named in the PFA Team of the Century in 2007.
Big Jack was 85 when he passed away and tributes were paid up and down the country with applause before games, while we also wore black armbands for our game against Bristol City.
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PRESENTING THE MIDDLESBROUGH FC BUSINESS PARTNERS
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CASTLE CONSTRUCTION
JOHN DAVEY LTD
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COMMUNITIES THE REAL WINNERS IN ‘CHALK YOUR STREET’ COMPETITION
The winners of a competition that brought street art and community spirit to the people of East Cleveland have been announced. The Connected Against Covid “Chalk Your Street” campaign was supported by MFC Foundation, Youth Focus: North East, ICL Boulby and Beyond Housing UK. It helped to temporarily transform streets – and in the case of the winners a full estate – but the longer terms benefits will be even more rewarding as this brought people together. Communities throughout the area were invited to chalk messages and pictures on the pavement outside
their houses – such a simple concept and so devastatingly effective. Boro Bus coordinator Lee Harding said: “We had an unbelievable response and although there are winners of the competition, the real winners are everyone who took part. We’ve heard so many stories of people saying that they have spoken to people in the street for the first time in years and have started new friendships. “In the case of the winners, I think around a mile of chalk was used around the estate. I think everyone has really enjoyed this and I’m pretty
sure they will enjoy the street parties when it is safe to do so.” Helen Kennedy, development officer with Youth Focus: North East, enthused: “The Connected Against Covid Chalk Your Street campaign was launched to create a sense of good old-fashioned togetherness. Personally, delivering intergenerational projects for Youth Focus: North East for the last twoand-a-half years I did not want to abandon the people I had spent time creating trusted relationships with in the East Cleveland area due to the try, The winning en oral the entire Balm am and Sandringh ale Estate in Lingd
Some of the residen
ts who helped transfor
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Residents of second place Coral Street (below) in Saltburn
Third place went to Skelton Primary School.
celebrate their achievement.
pandemic and the unsure nature of how long we would all be able to return. “Like minded individuals, who have a genuine care for the people and communities they serve, meant the collaboration between Rachael Crooks from Beyond Housing and Lee at MFC Foundation, was an easy fit. “We were blown away by the responses and messages sent into us that highlighted thanks for something that managed to
bring together streets and passing ‘nodding head’ neighbours became real friends.” The top six all received a framed certificate and will receive funding towards their street party when it is safe to get back enjoying such wonderful occasions. 1st Balmoral Road, Lingdale £700 2nd Coral Street, Saltburn £500 3rd Skelton Primary School £500 4th Lingdale Primary School £500 5th Britannia Terrace, Brotton £400 6th Hirds Drive, Loftus £400
Fifth place went to Britannia Terrace in Brotton.
Lingdale Primary School came fourth.
ded sixth place.
Hirds Drive in Loftus were awar
SUPPORTED BYBY SUPPORTED
A SWINGING SUCCESS
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18+ only. Begambleaware.org.
MFC FOUNDATION
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Inspire Confidence Inspire Hope
During the lockdown we have...
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1700
2400
40
miles
online lessons delivered
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400
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130 PPE
deliveries made
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fitness sessions delivered online
FOUNDATION STAFF DELIVER IN THE FACE OF ADVERSITY The country has been in lockdown for 113 days. Only recently have restrictive measures been eased as everyone attempts to return to some kind of life as we knew it. Through it all MFC Foundation have stood firm, doing what they have been able to do where it was safe to do so. They’ll continue to do that for as long as they are able. It would have been impossible to reach the levels of support without the help and generosity of so many, in particular their staff who have risen to the challenge, met it head on, inspiring hope and confidence and genuinely making a difference to hundreds of lives.
SUPPORTED BYBY SUPPORTED
DAY A SWINGING SUCCESS
“I am always proud of the staff at MFC Foundation,” says Foundation head Helena Bowman. “They are hard-working, dedicated and passionate about what they do. During lockdown they have proved an invaluable support to the local community, whether working from home or in the heart of Teesside. “It has been an extremely challenging time for us all and we are pleased we have been able to support the community and make a difference, however big or small. Thank you to everyone involved.” They created a Virtual Classroom which, from a standing start, has gone on to become an example followed by many around the country and helped so many schools and parents. Stepping Up staff implemented their transition programme in the most difficult of circumstances, as it was with Primary Stars and Inspires. If everything goes according to plan, Kicks will make a welcome return soon. Online tournaments in the virtual world have proved popular,
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but there is a real enthusiasm to be back out playing again and a lot of work has gone on to help make that happen. Incredibly, NCS will run this summer. The build-up to that is a story in itself, but the drive and commitment shown by Foundation staff has ensured no-one who wants to be a part of it will miss out. There’s still time to be involved, email ncs@ mfcfoundation.co.uk for more details on that one. Communities have benefitted from a workforce that is second to none in their endeavour to help. Be that in central Teesside with a FITFANS group, deliveries of food or ppe equipment to individuals, or likeminded community help organisations, doctors, nurses and key workers, or just simply by being there or on the end of a phone. Please try and enjoy the summer as best you can and thank you to everyone for your support.
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THE ART OF AYRESOME
The Boy in the Window by Sean Durkin See more of Sean’s work here...
Y O U R G E T
A
J O B
S U C K S
N E W
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B A X T E R P E R S O N N E L . C O . U K / R E G I S T E R
FAN MESSAGES
Send your photos and messages to programme@mfc.co.uk
1 A very happy 80th birthday to Tito Girolami for 18 July – have a wonderful day! From Diane, Louisa, Maria, all your family and friends plus – of course – not forgetting your football family in the Cardiff Combination and Pontprennau Pumas. 2 Baby Dax Errington, born 10 March. Dax came to us at Newcastle RVI with a rare condition called bladder exstrophy, with surgery delayed due to Covid-19. Welcome to the world, Dax, everyone at MFC wishes all the very best to you and all your family.
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3 Happy 40th birthday to Paul McDonald. 4 Hopefully we’ll get the three points needed to guarantee safety today so Ben can go off to university in September with us as a Championship side! #UTB. 5 Gary and Sharon Jarps at the start of this season UTB! 3
Big happy 40th birthday to Rachel Conroy for 24 July! Have a great day and I’ll be home to celebrate soon! Love, Glen #UTB.
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Happy second wedding anniversary to my amazing husband Jamie Dixon. Love you millions. Beth x Happy birthday to season ticket holder Ross Allenby, with much love from Karina, Skye, mum, dad, Martin, Nicola, Jacob and Ethan. Happy 11th birthday to Matthew Longstaff for 20 July, a season ticket holder with his family in the West Lower. 5
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Thinking about starting university this September?
You can easily apply through Clearing
Find out more at
tees.ac.uk/clearing
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6 Harry Saunders, two years old, was very happy with the Reading result! Bring on next season when he can attend his first game #UTB. 7 “Welcome to the world Boro’s newest fan Charlie Ray Crawford. I can’t wait to take you to matches when you’re older. Hopefully in the Premier League, too! Love from uncle Jamie x.”
8 “This photo was taken at our first ever Boro match this February. It was a huge experience, we can't wait to get back to the Riverside Stadium one day. We wish you all the best from Hungary. UTB! Gabor and Patrik.” A huge thank-you to my husband Graham Bishop, working hard for the community through the
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pandemic in Dalby Court care home and supporting local children and young adults with disabilities. Inspirational, and doing what you do best – enriching lives! Love from Kim. Us Boro fans are with this club through thick and thin! We will stand by this club and never let it go or take it for granted – Luke.
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AT THIS TIME So for the first time in our history we are playing our final game of the season at the same time of the year when we are normally counting down the days until our first. Here’s a look back over the past few years to see where we’ve been on this weekend…
2019
Jonny Howson was among our goalscorers (right) in a 3-1 win at Gateshead. Marvin Johnson and Ashley Fletcher were the other men on target.
2018
A pre-season trip no one will ever forget came to a conclusion in Austria. Tony Pulis loved a mountain so much he had the players cycling and running up them after a 5.30am wake-up call.
2017
2015
We played Chesterfield on the Algarve in the second of our two pre-season friendlies in Portugal. Cristhian Stuani and Patrick Bamford were the men on target in a 2-0 win witnessed by a hardy bunch of Teessiders (above).
Two familiar faces joined up with the summer training camp in Marbella. First, Jonathan Woodgate was coaxed out of retirement then Stewart Downing arrived (below) from West Ham United. Downing’s second debut came in a 1-1 draw with Scunthorpe United.
2014 On arrival in Marbella, the squad were greeted by a new face with striker Kike putting pen to paper (left) after joining from Real Murcia.
2016
We had arrived in Marbella (above) to prepare for our Premier League return and our first opponents were Real Betis, managed by Gus Poyet. Substitute Jordan Rhodes was our scorer in a 2-1 defeat. facebook.com/MFCofficial
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AYRESOME MEMORIES This season is the 25th since we left Ayresome Park, our home of 92 years, to move into a new Riverside Stadium. SHAUN WILSON looks back at the old ground, its matches, players and stories...
BORO DEFY FORM BOOK
January 1958 saw the Bluebirds travel to Ayresome Park for a Second Division fixture with Boro struggling for form, having not won since November. Confidence was low, City were on top for most of the opening half, and they should have taken the lead when Colin Hudson missed a great chance. However, such is football, and two minutes before the half-time break Cardiff’s goalkeeper Ken Jones palmed a Billy Day centre to Alan Peacock who made no mistake. Three minutes after the resumption Bill Harris put Boro further ahead from the penalty spot after Colin Baker had brought down Peacock. Brian Walsh reduced the arrears just a minute later but by then Boro were well on top.
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Peacock grabbed two further goals, in the 70th and 81st minutes, to secure his hat-trick and a welcome home win.
LEAGUE CUP DEBUT
The 1960/61 season brought a new competition for Football League clubs, the knockout tournament called The Football League Cup. It was devised as a means for clubs to make up revenue for lost games due to the leagues being re-organised. As it was, there was no re-organisation, but the cup competition was introduced regardless. Boro’s first ever game in the competition pitted them against First Division Cardiff City at Ayresome Park. Boro started the game well in front of a decent crowd of 15,695 and created two good chances for Brian Clough before
Brian Walsh opened the scoring for the away side on 17 minutes. An injury to Eddie Holliday just after the half-hour mark rocked the Teessiders as they went down to 10 men. Cardiff scored again after 52 minutes through Peter Donnelly and soon after his wing partner Colin Hudson made it 3-1. Ray Yeoman conceded a penalty after 64 minutes when he handled the ball and Trevor Edwards stepped up to make it 4-1. A fantastic long-range goal from Clough 12 minutes from time heralded a Boro rally, but City held out until a minute from time when Alan Peacock headed Boro’s third. The whistle blew shortly after and in the next round draw Cardiff were subsequently rewarded with a home tie versus First Division champions Burnley.
APRIL SHOWERS
The final home game of the 1969/70 season saw Cardiff City make the long journey to Teesside, with Boro sitting in sixth position hoping to push into the automatic places with three games to play. The Ayresome faithful were stunned after just seven minutes when Brian Clark scored with a half-hit shot which Boro keeper Willie Whigham failed to hold on to. Derrick Downing then went close for the home side with a diving header while at the other end Clark had a header saved. After a snow shower (in April!) made the surface very greasy, Eric McMordie took advantage of the conditions to equalise just before half-time. Boro were much improved in the
second half and Joe Laidlaw scored the winner on 57 minutes. The win moved Boro into third, but a defeat in the next game at Aston Villa put paid to any promotion hopes and the side eventually finished in fourth place.
COVER VERSIONS
For reasons unknown there were two different programme covers for the visit of Cardiff City to Middlesbrough in November 1973. The away side had just appointed a new manager in Frank O’Farrell, who had been sacked as Manchester United boss a year earlier. Boro, meanwhile, were flying in Jack Charlton’s first season in charge and were sitting pretty at the top of the table, a position they wouldn’t relinquish for the rest of the season.
’ELLO ’ELLO ’ELLO!
From March 1973, this picture taken in front of the Holgate End terraces during the Boro-Cardiff City game, shows the local constabulary excorting a couple of fans to the Ayresome amenities! The game itself saw caretaker manager Harold Shepherdson’s Boro run out 2-0 winners with goals from Peter Brine and Alan Foggon. The game itself saw David Mills score with a header after 36 minutes. A crowd of 18,034 saw two late goals from John Craggs and Malcolm Smith round off another resounding win.
BACK IN THE BIG TIME
A sparse crowd of 4,259 were present to see Boro take on fellow relegation strugglers Cardiff City at Ayresome Park in September 1984. City had just appointed former Sunderland manager Alan Durban to replace Jimmy Goodfellow, and he was sat in the stands as a watching brief until he started in earnest the following day. A drab first half showed why both sides were in trouble
at the wrong end of the table. The second half exploded into life when Boro striker David Currie opened the scoring on 59 minutes, with veteran David Mills grabbing a second just minutes later. John Seasman pulled a goal back after 65 minutes with Currie grabbing his second and Boro’s third 13 minutes from time. Still the away side wouldn’t lie down and Welsh international midfielder Nigel Vaughan pulled it back to 3-2 with 10 minutes to play. Boro then held firm with captain Irving Nattrass and Tony Mowbray to the fore. Come the end of the season Boro just escaped the drop on the final day, defeating Shrewsbury Town 2-0 away at Gay Meadow to finish just one place above the relegation spots. City lost their last three league games to finish in 21st position and dropping down to the Third Division.
Many thanks to the book Ayresome Memories, written by Eric Paylor and John Wilson, for help with anecdotes and research in today’s column.
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BORO ICONS
Gianluca Festa
Boro’s favourite Sardinian talks about his time on Teesside in our latest feature interview…
To move from Milan from Middlesbrough, that’s a big move in terms of lifestyle and in terms of football. When I was at Inter Milan we had absolutely everything, but when I first moved to Middlesbrough we had a big problem – to find a new training ground. But after a few months, Steve Gibson built the new facilities at Rockliffe and the club improved a lot in the space of a few years. Steve invested a lot of money. For him, Middlesbrough is like a family and he did a lot of important things for the club. Because I enjoyed fighting on the pitch, English football suited me and I had a great experience. It was an unusual season that you arrived right in the middle of. What a way to introduce yourself, with a goal on your debut! It was crazy! To score the goal, I remember the atmosphere was fantastic. It helped me understand that Middlesbrough was my place.
There were some really big players and characters in the dressing room. From a technical point of view, we were a very good team. Even if sometimes in the dressing room there
finals meant we had so many games, and our roster wasn’t so big. What are your memories of the 1997 League Cup final? We were so unlucky in that game, when they scored in the last minute. When I think about that game it makes me sad because we deserved to win. I was injured in the second half of the replay, I remember, and Ravanelli went off as well. Sadly we saw another team lift the trophy.
Watch the full Boro Icons interview with Gianluca Festa here...
was some fighting, on the pitch we were always friends! There was a good team spirit. In this area, Bryan Robson was very good – to keep it balanced. We had some very strong characters, like Fabrizio Ravanelli, Nigel Pearson was also very important to us. Arriving at two cup
Gianluca celebrating his FA Cup semi-final goal against Chesterfield.
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And the FA Cup final – the first thing the Middlesbrough fans say is always that your goal shouldn’t have been disallowed... I scored a goal! It wasn’t offside, I am 100 per cent on that. It was something like a dream, to score in the cup final. Di Matteo’s goal was probably a mistake from our goalkeeper, and another disappointment for us. But this is football. While some of the bigger names at the club moved on, you remained on Teesside and became part of the team to win promotion again. It was an important decision to stay. I did it because I loved the club, I loved the people. I decided very quickly – I had a very good relationship with Bryan Robson and I hope I have a chance to meet him again. My time in Middlesbrough was fantastic. Even when I scored an own goal against Arsenal in the FA Cup semi-final, the fans always supported me. That is why I am still one of them and will always support Middlesbrough.
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33
PRESENTING THE MIDDLESBROUGH FC BUSINESS PARTNERS
DICKENS SELF STORAGE
MOTORCLIPS
SEDGFIELD RACECOURSE
TEES VALLEY LIFTING & ENGINEERING
TOMAHAWK STEAKHOUSE
DISCOUNT DIY LTD
BILLINGHAM KITCHENS
TWI LTD
MIDDLESBROUGH MOTOR HOUSE
PTS DEMOLITION & DISMANTLING
ARC STOCKTON ARTS CENTRE
LYNAS ENGINEERS LTD
TS3 SPORTS LTD
LIONWELD KENNEDY FLOORING LTD
OCEAN LIGHTING
BRADDAN PLANT HIRE
SILVERTHORN GROUP
FULCRAN ENGINEERING
INFINITY PAY
TYNE TEES CRUSHING & SCREENING
BUSINESS CLUB
BUSINESS CLUB MANTANK PARTNER NAME
BUSINESS CLUB SURGE MARKETING PARTNER NAME SOLUTIONS
BUSINESS CLUB
ALPHA PARTNERPLAN NAME
FINCHALE GROUP PARTNER NAME
TODAY’S OPPONENTS...
CARDIFF CITY WHO ARE YA? Founded in 1899 as Riverside AFC, the club were renamed Cardiff City in 1908 and joined the English Football League in 1920. City became the first, and so far only, non-English club to lift the trophy in 1927. City have reached two more major finals in the modern era – the FA Cup again in 2008 and the League Cup in 2012 – but lost on both occasions.
AT THE HELM Neil Harris is a veteran of more than 400 playing appearances with Millwall, where he began his managerial career, steering the club to Championship status via the League One Play-Offs in 2016/17 to subsequently establish the club as a second-tier force – as well as leading them to an FA Cup quarter-final. A month after leaving Millwall in October 2019, Harris replaced Neil Warnock as Cardiff boss.
Sean Morrison
Aiden Flint
HOW’S IT GOING? With eyes on an instant return to the top division, Cardiff’s ambition since the restart has been securing that final Play-Off spot. July began in promising fashion with a victory over rivals Bristol City. Losses to Blackburn Rovers and Fulham followed, but a midweek win over Derby County was a massive boost to their top-six aspirations.
WHO’S WHO
Neil Harris
Alex Smithies is the regular keeper while skipper Sean Morrison leads in defence. Other options at the back include Curtis Nelson, Wolves loanee Dion Sanderson, Sol Bamba and former Boro men Joe Bennett and Aden Flint. Will Vaulks, Marlon Pack and Leandro Bacuna are all regulars in midfield, and Lee Tomlin has been in form since Harris’ arrival. Junior Hoilett, Joe Ralls, Nathaniel Mendez-Laing and Josh Murphy are further attacking outlets, with facebook.com/MFCofficial
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Callum Paterson or Robert Glatzel usually up top.
WHAT TO EXPECT As the squad remains largely one he assembled and took to the top-flight, Neil Warnock this week said he knows exactly what to expect from “nine or 10” of Cardiff’s side in terms of effort, commitment and drive.
Joe Bennett
IT’S A FACT Boro’s boss secured his record eighth promotion in English football with Cardiff, guiding the club to Premier League football in 2018/19. This eighth success moved Warnock beyond Dave Bassett, Graham Taylor and Jim Smith – each with seven promotions – onto his own standing.
ONE TO WATCH Robert Glatzel A rumoured target for Boro last summer, Neil Warnock moved quickly to recruit the six-footfour German forward to Cardiff’s ranks. Powerful and with an eye for goal, Glatzel is tailor-made for the Championship, and Boro were given an early warning sign of his credentials as he netted a hat-trick for former club Heidenheim against us during pre-season.
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FIXTURES 2019/20 Date
Fri
Opponents
2 Aug Luton Town (Sky)
Att
Away fans F-A
A 10,053
960
3-3
Randolph Howson
AYALA Shotton Coulson Clayton
Sat 10 Aug Brentford H 21,911 398 0-1 Randolph Howson AYALA Shotton Coulson Clayton Tue 13 Aug Crewe Alexandra (CC1) H
7,897
316
2-2*
Pears
0-1
Randolph Dijksteeln
Dijksteel
Wood
FRIEND
Bola
Sat 17 Aug Blackburn Rovers
A 14,012 2,968
Tue 20 Aug Wigan Athletic
H 18,649 191 1-0 Randolph Howson AYALAn Shotton Bola
Clayton
AYALAn Shotton Friend Wing Clayton
Sat 24 Aug Millwall H 19,279 375 1-1 Randolph Howson AYALA Shotton Bola
Clayton
Sat 31 Aug Bristol City (Sky)
Clayton
A 20,757
961
2-2
Randolph Dijksteel
FRY
Shotton Bola
Sat 14 Sep Reading H 19,414 380 1-0 Randolph Dijksteel FRY Shotton Bola Clayton Sat 21 Sep Cardiff City
A 23,141
Sat 28 Sep Sheffield Wednesday
H 22,075 2,856 1-4
680
0-1
Randolph Dijksteel
Randolph FRY Ayalan Shotton Dijksteel Clayton FRY
Shotton
Bola
Clayton
Tue 1 Oct Preston North End
H 17,961
422
1-1
Randolph Dijksteel
FRY
Ayala
Shotton
Claytonn
Fri
A 19,703
854
1-2
Randolph Dijksteeln FRY
Ayala Shottonn
Sat 19 Oct West Bromwich Albion H 21,174 1,551 0-1
Randolph Howsonn
FRY
Ayala Shotton Wing
Wed 23 Oct Huddersfield Town (Sky) A 22,839 1,789
Pears
Fryn
4 Oct Birmingham City (Sky)
0-0
Howson
Clayton
AYALA Shotton Wingn
Sat 26 Oct Fulham H 19,101 584 0-0 Pears
Howson Fry
AYALA
Sat
2 Nov Derby County
A 26,293 1,400
0-2
Pears
Howson
AYALA McNairn
Sat
9 Nov Queens Park Rangers
A 14,404 1,449
2-2
Randolphn Howson Fryn
Fry
Coulsonn Wingn Wing
AYALA Friend Wing
Sun 24 Nov Hull City (Sky) H 18,596 582 2-2 Randolph Howson Fry
AYALA
Dijksteeln Wing
Wed 27 Nov Barnsley
H 18,043 522 1-0 Pears
Dijksteel Howson
AYALA
Fry
Sat 30 Nov Leeds United
A 35,626 1,806
Howsonn Fry
AYALAn
McNairn
Bola
Sat 7 Dec Charlton Athletic
H 18,681 527 1-0 Pears
Spence
Fry
Coulson
Tue 10 Dec Nottingham Forest
A 24,577
600
1-1
Pears
Spencen Howson AYALA
Fry
Coulson
Sat 14 Dec Swansea City
A 14,625
279
1-3
Pears
Howson
Coulson Clayton
0-4
Pears
n
Howson AYALA AYALA Fry
Coulson
Fri 20 Dec Stoke City (Sky) H 18,270 357 2-1 Pears
Spence Howsonn AYALA Fry
Coulson
Thu 26 Dec Huddersfield Town
H 25,313 2,004 1-0
Pears
Spence Howsonn AYALA Fry
Coulson
Sun 29 Dec West Bromwich Albion
A 25,077
955
2-0
Pears
Howsonn
AYALA Fry
Wed 1 Jan Preston North End
A 13,824 1,820
2-0
Pears
Howson
AYALA Fry
Mejias
HOWSON Fry
McNair
Sun 5 Jan Tottenham H (FAC3) H 26,693 4,700 1-1
Coulsonn Clayton Spence Claytonn Spence
Clayton
Sat 11 Jan Derby County
H 19,706 959 2-2 Pears
HOWSON Fry
McNair P Spence Wing
Tue 14 Jan Tottenham H (FAC3R)
A 49,202 3,750
Mejias
HOWSON Fry
McNair
Fri 17 Jan Fulham (Sky)
A 18,375 1,780 0-1
Pears
HOWSON Fry
McNairn Spence Clayton
Tue 21 Jan Birmingham City
H 18,350 355 1-1 Pears
HOWSON Fry
McNair Spence Wing
Sat 1 Feb Blackburn Rovers
H 19,937 764 1-1 Pears
HOWSON Fry
McNair
Spence
Wing
Sat 8 Feb Brentford
A 12,285 1,600 2-3
Pears
HOWSON Moukoudi Fry
Coulson
McNair
Tue 11 Feb Wigan Athletic
A
Pears
HOWSONn Moukoudin Fry
Coulson McNair
Sat 15 Feb Luton Town
H 19,734 800 0-1 Pears
Sat 22 Feb Barnsley
A 16,106 3,999 0-1
Pears
Moukoudi Shotton
FRIEND Howson Wing
Wed 26 Feb Leeds United (Sky) H 24,647 4,993 0-1
Pears
Howson
Moukoudin FRIEND Claytonn
Mon 2 Mar Nottingham Forest (Sky) H 18,884 1,151 2-2
Pears
HOWSON Shottonn Moukoudi Johnson Clayton
Sat
7 Mar Charlton Athletic
9,023
943
1-2
2-2
Spence Wing
Howson Moukoudi FRIEND Coulson McNair Shotton
A 18,080 1,780
1-0
Stojanovic HOWSON Shottonn Moukoudi Johnson Clayton
Sat 20 Jun Swansea City
H
behind-closed-doors
0-3
Stojanovic Howson
Shotton Fry
FRIEND McNair
Sat 27 Jun Stoke City
A
behind-closed-doors
2-0
Stojanovic Spence
Fry
Johnson
Jul Hull City (Sky) A behind-closed-doors
1-2
Stojanovic Spence Fry
FRIEND Johnson McNair FRIEND
Thu 2
Sun 5 Jul Queens Park Rangers
H
behind-closed-doors
Wed 8 Jul Millwall
A
behind-closed-doors
Sat 11 Jul Bristol City
H
behind-closed-doors
Tue 14 Jul Reading
A
behind-closed-doors
Sat 18 Jul Cardiff City
H
Wed 22
A
36
Jul Sheffield Wednesday
McNair
0-1
Stojanovic Howson
2-0
Stojanovic Spence Fry
1-3
Stojanovic Spence
Shotton Fry
FRIEND Johnsonn
2-1
Pears
Dijksteel Fry
FRIEND Johnson
Spence
Fry
FRIEND
Johnsonn Moukoudi
Shotton FRIEND Johnson
KEY: 1st sub 2nd sub 3rd sub 4th sub 5th sub n = Yellow card n = Red Card Bold = Goalscorer P = Penalty CAPITALS = Captain *Lost 2-4 on penalties Own goals: Moore (Bristol City 31 Aug) SUBS
McNair
Wingn
McNair Wing
Savillen
Johnson
Fletchern Assombalonga Browne Saville Pears Bola Tavernier Wood-Gordon Gestede
Johnson
Fletcher Assombalonga Browne Dijksteel Gestede Pears Bola Saville Tavernier
Tavernier Browne Gestede
Walker
McNair Assombalonga Fletcher Mejias Shotton Johnson Liddle
McNair Howson Johnson Fletcher Assomablonga Tavernier Browne Walker Pears Bola Clayton Saville McNair Wing
Brownen
Fletcher
Assombalonga Johnson Saville Gestede Pears Dijksteel Tavernier Walker
McNair Saville Browne Fletcher Assombalonga Johnson Wing Pears Tavernier Fry Walker Gestede McNair Wingn
Johnson
Fletcher
Assombalonga Saville Gestede Pears Browne Tavernier Malley Walker
McNair Wing
Johnson Fletcher Assombalonga Ayala Saville Tavernier Pears Browne Malley Walker
McNair Saville
Johnsonn Fletcher Assombalonga Browne Wing Tavernier Pears Bola Howson Walker
McNair Wing
Johnson Fletcher Assombalonga Ayala Browne Walker Pears Tavernier Howson Saville
McNair Howson Tavernier Browne
McNairn Howson Tavernier Browne
Assombalonga Johnson Fletchern Pears Bola Johnson Saville Assombalonga Wing Fletcher Gestede Pears Bola Walker Wing Saville
McNair Saville Johnson Taverniern Assombalonga Fletcher Browne Pears Dijksteel Clayton Bola Fletcher Liddle
McNair Savillen
Johnson Tavernier Fletcher
McNairn
Tavernier Fletcher Assombalonga Browne Johnson Mejias Dijksteel Bola Clayton Liddle
Saville
Assombalonga Coulson Clayton Mejias Dijksteel Browne Liddle
Browne Savillen Tavernier Johnson Assombalonga Dijksteel Walker Coulson Mejias Wood Clayton Liddle McNair Johnson Tavernier Fletcher Assombalonga2 Dijksteel Clayton Pears Coulson O’Neill Walker Liddle McNair Johnsonn Wing n
Tavernier Fletcher Assombalonga Claytonn Pears Bola Coulson O’Neill Wood Liddle
McNair Tavernier Fletcher Assombalonga Bolan Clayton Mejias O’Neill Wood Liddle Hackney
Wing Saville Tavernier Fletcher
Assombalonga Liddle O’Neill Walker Mejias Clayton Wood Reading
Saville
Clayton
Tavernier Fletchern
Assombalonga Walker Mejias Bola Wood O’Neill Malley Liddle
McNair P
Clayton
Saville
Tavernier Fletchern
Johnson Walker Mejias Bola Wood O’Neill Liddle
Savillen
Tavernier Fletcher
Brownen Gestede Wing Mejias Spence Walker Liddle
Johnson McNairn
Tavernier Clayton Savillen
Walker
Fletcher
Wing Gestede Johnson Mejias Wood O’Neill Liddle
Johnson Wing
Savillen Tavernier Fletchern
Gestede Mejias Bola Clayton Wood Walker Liddle
Saville Spencen
Wing Tavernier Fletcher
Johnson Gestede Mejias Bola Wood O’Neill Liddle
Saville Johnsonn Tavernier Gestede
Fletcher
McNair Coulson Mejias Wood Wing O’Neill Walker
Savillen
Coulson Tavernier Roberts
Fletcher
Johnson Gestede Nmecha Brynn Wood Wing Liddle
Saville Coulsonn Tavernier Roberts
Fletcher
Nmecha Gestede Mejias Clayton Johnson Wood Liddle
Clayton Johnson Liddle
Nmecha Fletcher
Saville Tavernier Gestede
Brynn Wood Roberts Malley
Saville Coulson Tavernier Roberts Gestede
Wing Fletcher Nmecha Mejias Johnson Wood Liddle
Saville Johnson Roberts Nmecha Fletcher
Tavernier Wood Gestede Mejias Clayton Reading Liddle
Saville Johnson Tavernier
Assombalonga Coulson Gestede Mejias Clayton Wood O’Neill
Nmecha Fletcher
Saville
Taverniern Wing
Savillen
Morrison
Saville
Spence Wingn Fletcher Nmecha
Saville
Morrison Johnson Fletcher Assombalonga Gestede Coulson McNair Mejias Clayton Tavernier Nmecha Coulson Fletcher
Wing Coulson Gestede
McNair
Tavernier
McNair
Tavernier Wing
Howson Saville
Fletcher
Assombalonga Nmecha Gestede Mejias Clayton Morrison Spence
Wing2 Fletcher Assombalonga Nmecha Tavernier Spence Mejias Clayton Gestede Johnson Spence
Savillen Tavernier Wing
Clayton Wing
Johnson
Coulson Gestede
Nmechan Gestede Roberts
Coulson
Assombalonga Gestede Mejias Shotton Tavernier Morrison Johnson Johnson Nmecha Assombalonga Mejias Morrison McNair Spence Saville Spence Mejias Morrison Nmecha Wood O’Neill Saville Spence Pears Morrison Nmecha Fletcher Assombalonga Robertsn Spence Johnson Assombalonga Fletcher Pears Tavernier Morrison Saville
Fletcher Assombalonga Tavernier Wingn Shotton Pears Morrison Moukoudi Clayton Wood Nmecha
Howson Saville
Roberts Coulson AssombalongaP Wing Taverniern Fletcher Pears Morrison Moukoudi Clayton Wing Nmecha
Roberts
Savillen
Morrison
Fletcher Assombalongan Wing McNair Nmecha Tavernier Coulson Pears Dijksteel Shotton Clayton
McNair Savillen Howsonn FletcherP Assombalongan Tavernier Clayton Dijksteel Pears Moukoudi Roberts Nmecha Wing Coulson McNair
Howson
Saville
Fletcher
Saville Howson Tavernier Fletcher
Assombalonga Wing Tavernier Roberts Coulson Clayton Pears Dijksteel Morrison Nmecha Roberts
Assombalonga McNair Coulson Stojanovic Clayton Nmecha Wood Wing
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Be part of the team effort and help us tackle Coronavirus
1. Got symptoms? Stay at home
3. Isolate if instructed
4. Play by the rules
30
sec
2. Get a test via 119
5. Wash your hands
X 7. Help a neighbour
6. Wear a face covering on public transport
8. Avoid touching your face
9. Exercise regularly 10. Check on a friend
X 11. Don’t suffer in silence
Do it for Middlesbrough
middlesbrough.gov.uk
ADVERTISE HERE CALL 01642 757683
Manager Neil Warnock
Manager Neil Harris
Tomas MEJIAS (gk) 1
1
Neil ETHERIDGE (gk)
Anfernee DIJKSTEEL 2
2
Dion SANDERSON
George FRIEND 3
3
Joe BENNETT
Dael FRY 6
4
Sean MORRISON
Marcus TAVERNIER 7
5
Aden FLINT
Adam CLAYTON 8
6
Will VAULKS
Britt ASSOMBALONGA 9
7
Leandro BACUNA
Ashley FLETCHER 11
8
Joe RALLS
Ravel MORRISON 15
9
Robert GLATZEL
Jonny HOWSON 16
10
Isaac VASSELL
Paddy McNAIR 17
11
Josh MURPHY
19
12
Alex SMITHIES (gk)
Lukas NMECHA 20
13
Callum PATERSON
Marvin JOHNSON 21
15
Marlon PACK
George SAVILLE 22
16
Curtis NELSON
Nathan WOOD 25
17
Lee TOMLIN
Lewis WING 26
18
Greg CUNNINGHAM
Djed SPENCE 29
19
Nathaniel MENDEZ-LAING
Dejan STOJANOVIC (gk) 30
20
Gavin WHYTE
Hayden COULSON 33
22
Sol BAMBA
Connor MALLEY 34
23
Danny WARD
Tyrone O’NEILL 35
24
Brad SMITH
Stephen WALKER 36
33
Junior HOILETT
Patrick ROBERTS
Ben LIDDLE 37 Aynsley PEARS (gk) 42 Sol BRYNN (gk) 43
TODAY’S OFFICIALS Referee: Jeremy Simpson
Assistants: Richard Wild and Mark Jones Fourth Official: Andy Haines
Programme editor Paul Dews. Contributors Matt Barber, Simon Dent, Gordon Cox, Ken Daly and Shaun Wilson. Photography by Varley Picture Agency, Tom Banks and MFC. Design and production Trevor Hartley and Neil Jeffries at Ignition Sports Media.