Middlesbrough F.C. facts for kids
 |
|||
| Full name | Middlesbrough Football Club | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Nickname(s) |
|
||
| Short name | MFC, Boro | ||
| Founded | 18 February 1876 | ||
| Ground | Riverside Stadium | ||
| Capacity | 34,742 | ||
| Owner | Steve Gibson | ||
| Chairman | Steve Gibson | ||
| Manager | Michael Carrick | ||
| League | Championship | ||
| 2018–19 | Championship, 7th of 24 | ||
|
|
|||
Middlesbrough Football Club, often called Boro, is a professional football team from Middlesbrough, England. They play in the EFL Championship, which is the second-highest league in English football.
The club started in 1876, making them one of the oldest football clubs in England. Since 1995, Boro has played their home games at the Riverside Stadium. Before that, they played at Ayresome Park for 92 years.
Middlesbrough was one of the first teams in the Premier League when it began in 1992. They have spent almost all their history in the top two divisions of English football. Their best league finish was third place in the 1913–14 season.
In 1986, the club almost went out of business. But a group led by Steve Gibson saved them. After this, they quickly moved up two leagues to get back into the top division. In 1997, they reached the finals of both the FA Cup and League Cup.
A big moment for Boro was winning the League Cup in 2004. This was their first major trophy! They also reached the final of the UEFA Cup in 2006.
Middlesbrough is the main professional football club in the Teesside area. They have big rivalries with nearby teams like Newcastle United and Sunderland. The team's traditional kit is red with white details.
Contents
Club History
Early Days and Success (1876–1914)
Middlesbrough Football Club was formed in 1876. They won the FA Amateur Cup twice, in 1895 and 1898. The club became professional in 1899. After three seasons, they moved up to the top division, where they stayed for 22 years.
In 1903, the team moved to Ayresome Park. This was their home for the next 92 years. In 1905, Alf Common joined the club for £1,000, which was a record fee at the time. The team reached their highest league finish, third place, in 1913–14. However, World War I soon stopped football games.
Ups and Downs (1914–1966)
After World War I, Middlesbrough struggled to find their best form. They were relegated in 1924. But three seasons later, they won the Division Two title. During that season, George Camsell scored a record 59 league goals.
The club went up and down between divisions. They were promoted again in 1929, winning another Second Division title. They stayed in the top division until 1954.
Famous players like Wilf Mannion and George Hardwick played for Boro before World War II. After the war, the team was relegated in 1954. This started a 20-year period outside the top division. During this time, Brian Clough became a top goalscorer for the club. He scored 204 goals in 222 games. In 1966, Middlesbrough was relegated to the Third Division for the first time.
Rising Again and Tough Times (1966–1994)
New manager Stan Anderson quickly brought the club back to the second division. In 1973, Jack Charlton became manager. He led the team back to the top division in 1974. They won the Second Division title with a record 65 points. Middlesbrough also won their first professional trophy, the Anglo-Scottish Cup, in 1976.
In the mid-1980s, the club faced serious money problems. In 1986, Middlesbrough was almost shut down. The gates to Ayresome Park were locked. But Steve Gibson gathered a group of people to save the club. They managed to register with the Football League just in time.
After this amazing rescue, Middlesbrough earned two promotions in a row. They went from the Third Division to the First Division in just two seasons. In 1992, Middlesbrough became one of the founding members of the Premier League.
Bryan Robson Era (1994–2001)
Bryan Robson became player-manager in 1994. Middlesbrough bought famous international players like Juninho and Fabrizio Ravanelli. In the 1996–97 season, the club was deducted three points for not playing a game. This led to their relegation. However, they reached both the League Cup and FA Cup finals for the first time that year, but lost both.
Despite being relegated, Middlesbrough were promoted back to the Premier League in 1998. They had a great run in 1998–99, including a 3–2 win at Old Trafford against Manchester United. Bryan Robson left the club in 2001 after seven years as manager.
Top Flight and European Adventures (2001–2009)
In 2001, Steve McClaren became the new manager. In 2004, Middlesbrough won their first major trophy, beating Bolton Wanderers 2–1 in the League Cup final. This win meant they qualified for European football for the first time, playing in the UEFA Cup.
In the 2005–06 season, Boro had an amazing run in the UEFA Cup. They made incredible comebacks in the quarter-finals and semi-finals. They reached the final but lost 4–0 to Sevilla. After this, McClaren left to manage the England team.
Club captain Gareth Southgate took over as manager. In 2008, Middlesbrough bought Brazilian striker Afonso Alves for a record £13.6 million. However, the club was relegated to the Championship at the end of the 2008–09 season.
Recent Years (2009–Present)
After relegation, Middlesbrough changed managers several times. Gordon Strachan, Tony Mowbray, and Aitor Karanka all took charge. In 2015, under Karanka, Boro reached the Championship play-off final but lost to Norwich City.
The following season, 2015–16, was very exciting. Middlesbrough secured automatic promotion back to the Premier League on the final day of the season. However, they were relegated again after just one season in the top flight.
Since then, Middlesbrough has been playing in the Championship. Managers like Garry Monk, Tony Pulis, Jonathan Woodgate, Neil Warnock, and Chris Wilder have led the team. In 2022, former Manchester United player Michael Carrick became manager. He led Boro to a fourth-place finish in his first season. In the 2023–24 season, Middlesbrough reached the semi-finals of the League Cup.
Team Colours and Crest
Middlesbrough's traditional home kit is red with white details. The shorts and socks are usually red or white. The red shirt became the main colour in 1899. A wide white stripe across the chest was added in 1973 and has been brought back several times due to popular demand. In 2008, fans voted for the white band to return to the home kit.
The club's crest has changed four times. The current crest, adopted in 2007, features a lion inside a shield. It also has the words "Middlesbrough Football Club 1876" to show the club's long history.
Home Stadiums
Middlesbrough first played at Albert Park in 1876. They then moved to other grounds before settling at Linthorpe Road in 1882.
In 1903, the club moved to Ayresome Park. This stadium was their home for 92 years and was even used for the 1966 FIFA World Cup. After a report in 1990, the club decided to build a new stadium. Ayresome Park was demolished in 1997.
The Riverside Stadium became Middlesbrough's new home in 1995. Fans voted to choose its name. It was one of the first modern, all-seater stadiums built in England. It cost £16 million and originally held 30,000 fans. The stadium was later expanded. Today, its capacity is 34,742. The club also trains at a special £7 million facility called Rockliffe Park.
Club Supporters
Middlesbrough has a strong fan base. Most supporters come from Middlesbrough and the surrounding towns. Many season ticket holders are from the local area.
Middlesbrough fans have main rivalries with Newcastle United (called the Tyne–Tees derby) and Sunderland (the Tees–Wear derby).
The nickname Smoggies was first used by opposing fans. It referred to the industrial air pollution that used to be over the town. However, Middlesbrough fans later adopted the name with pride. You might see banners at away games saying "Smoggies on Tour". UEFA praised Middlesbrough fans for their good behaviour during the 2005–06 UEFA Cup campaign.
Community Work
Middlesbrough Football Club in the Community (MFCIC) was started in 1996 by club chairman Steve Gibson. It is one of the biggest community football programs in the UK. In 2012, it became the MFC Foundation.
The Foundation uses the club's fame to run projects in sports, health, education, and inclusion. These projects help young people and disadvantaged communities in Teesside. Since 1996, the Foundation has helped over 500,000 people.
The club also runs the Middlesbrough Enterprise Academy. This program helps local children learn business skills. Middlesbrough Football Club has done more community work than many other Premier League clubs.
In 2009, when a local steel plant faced closure, Middlesbrough Football Club supported the "Save Our Steel" campaign. They hosted steelworkers at the stadium and promoted the campaign. Chairman Steve Gibson said the club exists for the community and its people.
European Football
Middlesbrough has played in European competitions twice.
In the 2004–05 season, they reached the Round of 16. In the 2005–06 season, they had an amazing run to the final. They beat teams like Stuttgart, Roma, Basel, and Steaua Bucharest with exciting comebacks. However, they lost the final 4–0 to Sevilla.
Club Staff
Corporate Leaders
| Role | Name |
|---|---|
| Chairman | Steve Gibson |
| Chief Executive | Neil Bausor |
| Head of Football | Kieran Scott |
| Club Secretary | Karen Nelson |
Coaching Team
| Role | Name |
|---|---|
| Manager | Michael Carrick |
| Assistant Manager | Jonathan Woodgate |
| First-Team Coach | Graeme Carrick |
| Goalkeeping Coach | Alan Fettis |
| Fitness Coach | Nick Allamby |
| Performance Analyst | Phill Hudson |
| Head Physio | Chris Moseley |
| Chief Medical Officer | Rob Tatham |
| Physician | Dr. Bryan English |
| Sports Scientist | Frankie Hunter |
| Kit Man | Peter Darke |
Academy Coaching Team
| Role | Name |
|---|---|
| Academy Manager | Craig Liddle |
| Head of Player Pathway and Development | Leo Percovich |
| Professional Development Phase Coach (U21s) | Mark Tinkler |
| Professional Development Phase Coach (U18s) | James Marwood |
| Academy Goalkeeping Coach | Chris Pennock |
| Head of Academy Recruitment | Martin Carter |
| Head of Education and Welfare | Barry Dawson |
Managers Through the Years
|
|
Team Players
Current Squad
|
|
Players on Loan
|
|
Middlesbrough Legends
These 10 players were chosen by fans as club legends.
George Camsell- George Hardwick
- Wilf Mannion
- Brian Clough
- John Hickton
- Willie Maddren
- Tony Mowbray
Bernie Slaven
Juninho- Gareth Southgate
Players with Most Appearances
These players have played over 430 games for Middlesbrough.
- Tim Williamson (602)
- Gordon Jones (532)
- John Hickton (499)
- John Craggs (487)
- Jim Platt (481)
- George Camsell (453)
- Jacky Carr (449)
- Mark Schwarzer (446)
- David Armstrong (431)
Top Goalscorers
These players have scored over 140 goals for the club.
- George Camsell (345)
- George Elliott (213)
- Brian Clough (204)
- John Hickton (193)
- Micky Fenton (162)
- Bernie Slaven (146)
- Alan Peacock (141)
Player of the Year Winners
|
|
|
|
|
Famous Players in Hall of Fame
These players have been recognized in different football Halls of Fame.
- Alf Common
- George Camsell
- Steve Bloomer
- Wilf Mannion
- George Hardwick
- Nobby Stiles
- Graeme Souness
- Bryan Robson
- Paul Gascoigne
- Brian Clough
- Viv Anderson
- Jack Charlton
- Terry Venables
- Malcolm Allison
- Raich Carter
- Paul Ince
- Bobby Murdoch
- Gordon Strachan
Club Achievements
Middlesbrough has won several trophies and titles throughout its history.
League Titles
- Second Division / First Division / Championship (Second Tier)
- Champions: 1926–27, 1928–29, 1973–74, 1994–95
- Runners-up: 1991–92, 1997–98, 2015–16
- Play-off winners: 1988
- Third Division (Third Tier)
- Runners-up: 1966–67, 1986–87
- Northern League
- Champions: 1893–94, 1894–95, 1896–97
Cup Wins
- FA Cup
- Runners-up: 1996–97
- League Cup
- Winners: 2003–04
- Runners-up: 1996–97, 1997–98
- Full Members' Cup
- Runners-up: 1989–90
- FA Amateur Cup
- Winners: 1894–95, 1897–98
- UEFA Cup
- Runners-up: 2005–06
- Anglo-Scottish Cup
- Winners: 1975–76
- North Riding Senior Cup
- Winners on 55 occasions since 1882
- Kirin Cup
- Winners: 1980
Middlesbrough Women's Team
Middlesbrough Women is the women's football club linked to Middlesbrough FC. It started as Cleveland Spartans in 1976. In 2023, they officially joined with the men's team. They play in the FA Women's National League Division One North, which is the fourth level of women's football in England.
Images for kids
-
Chart showing Middlesbrough's league finishes over time.
-
George Hardwick, a famous Middlesbrough and England player.
-
Middlesbrough F.C. crest from 1986–2007.
-
Middlesbrough shirts from 1994 to 2010.
.jpg)
See also
In Spanish: Middlesbrough Football Club para niños
