Middlesbrough Football Club were founded in 1876, and have played at 3 different stadiums since turning professional in 1889. They have played at the Riverside Stadium since 1995, having moved there from Ayresome Park, where they had played since 1903 - a total of 92 years. The club's crests over the years have all featured a lion- the latest, as seen on the right, was adopted in May 2007.
The club came close to folding in 1986 after severe financial hardship, but was saved by a consortium led by board member and lifelong fan Steve Gibson. This turned the club's fortunes around, and they were founder members of the Premier League in 1992. Their only major trophy came in 2004, when they won the League Cup. They were runners up in both the League Cup and FA Cup in 1997. Perhaps their finest hour came in a run to the UEFA Cup final in 2006, featuring a couple of thrilling games and last minute goals. |