Middlesbrough
was formed in 1876 by the members of the Middlesbrough Cricket Club
who were looking at different ways to keep fit during the winter. Attempted
to join the Football League in 1892 after linking up with the Ironopolis
Football Company, but their bid failed and the two teams went separate
ways. Backed by fierce rivals Sunderland and Newcastle, Middlesbrough
finally gained access to the Football League in 1899. The club moved
to their home ground, Ayresome Park four years later and, bar brief
flirtations with the Second Division in the 1920s, spent almost fifty
years in the top flight. Following relegation in 1954, the next 20 years
were spent in the second division or below. Jack Charlton took control
in 1973 and got the team back into the First Division. But their spell
in the first division ended in 1982 and the club almost went out of
business in 1986. However, the club was saved by Steve Gibson whose
investment led to a move to the modern Riverside Stadium in 1995 and
saw the club enter the FA Premiership era. Middlesbrough came within
touching distance of silverware on three occasions, but were unfortunelty
beaten finalists in both the FA Cup and League Cup in 1997, and again
in the League Cup the following year. But, their 128-year wait for a
trophy ended in the 2004 League Cup final when they managed to beat
Bolton 2-1 at the Millennium Stadium.
Stadium Address: Riverside Stadium, Middlesbrough, Cleveland, TS3 6RS
Capacity: 35,049
Ticket Info Hotline: 01642 877 745
Middlesbrough Football Club official web site : http://www.mfc.co.uk
CLUB HONOURS
LEAGUE CHAMPIONS
CHARITY/COMMUNITY SHIELD WINNERS
F.A. CUP WINNERS
LEAGUE CUP WINNERS
2004
