Middlesbrough Football Club, also known as 'The Boro', is an English football club based in Middlesbrough, who will play in the Football League Championship for the 2009–10 season, following relegation from the Premier League. Formed in 1876, they have played at the Riverside Stadium since August 1995,[2] their third ground since turning professional in 1889. Their longest-serving home was Ayresome Park, where they played for 92 years (1903-1995).

They were one of the founding members of the Premier League in 1992. The club's main rivals are Newcastle United and Sunderland.[3]

The club's highest league finish to date was third in the 1913–14 season and they have only spent two seasons outside of the Football League's top two divisions.[4] The club came close to folding in 1986 after experiencing severe financial difficulties before the club was saved by a consortium led by then board member and current chairman Steve Gibson.[5] Middlesbrough were controversially deducted three points for failing to fulfil a fixture against Blackburn Rovers during the 1996–97 Premier League season and were subsequently relegated.[6] They were promoted the following season and spent eleven consecutive seasons in the top division before relegation.[5] Middlesbrough won the League Cup in 2004, the club's first and only major trophy.[7] The manager is former captain Gareth Southgate who was appointed on 7 June 2006.[8] On 24 May 2009, Middlesbrough were relegated to the Championship after failing to extend their 11-year stay in the Premier League.[9]

The club's traditional kit is red with white detailing. A white band across the chest, initially introduced in the 1970s,[10] has returned following a vote by the fans.[11] The various crests throughout the club's history, the most recent of which was adopted in May 2007,[12] incorporate a lion rampant.

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The club's highest league finish


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