Middlesborough MM

[pooman2279]

Middlesbrough Football Club, also known as The Boro, are an English football club based in Middlesbrough, who play in the Premier League. Formed in 1876, they have played at the 35,100 capacity Riverside Stadium since August 1995, their third ground since turning professional in 1889. They were founding members of the Premier League in 1992. The club's main rivals are Newcastle United and Sunderland.

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. 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. 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. They were promoted the following season and are now in their eleventh consecutive season in the top division. Middlesbrough won the League Cup in 2004, the club's first and only major trophy.

Domestic


League

• Football League Second Division / Football League Division One

Champions 1926–27, 1928–29, 1973–74, 1994–95; runners up 1901–02, 1991–92, 1997–98

• Football League Third Division

Runners up 1966–67, 1986–87

• Northern League

Champions 1893–94, 1894–95, 1896–97; runners up 1890–91, 1891–92, 1897–98
Cup

• League Cup

Winners 2004; runners up 1997, 1998

• FA Cup

Runners up 1997

• FA Amateur Cup

Winners 1894–95, 1897–98

• Zenith Data Systems Cup

Runners up 1990
International

• UEFA Cup

Runners up 2005–06

• Anglo-Scottish Cup

Winners 1976

• Kirin Cup

Winners 1980


Kits:

Home kit





Away kit





Sponsor: Vantom Energy Drink
Payment per game: £542,210

The Riverside Stadium

Capacity: 35,100
Cost to build: £16M
Opened: August 26, 1995
Field Dimensions: 105 X 69M

The Squad:

GK: Mark Schwarzer, 34 years old, OVR 75
GK: Ross Turnbull, 22 years old, OVR 61 (Transfer List)
GK: Brad Jones, 25 years old, OVR 71
RB: Luke Young, 28 years old, OVR 73
CB: Chris Riggott, 26 years old, OVR 74
CB: Robert Huth, 22 years old, OVR 77
CB: Anthony Mcmahon, 21 years old, OVR 69
CB: David Wheater, 20 years old, OVR 76
CB: Seb Hines, 19 years old, OVR 51 (Transfer List)
LB: Emmanuel Pogatetz, 24, OVR 70
LB: Andrew Taylor, 21, OVR 66
LB: Jonathan Grounds, 19, OVR 60
CDM: George Boateng, 31, OVR 77
CDM: Mohamed Shawky, 25, OVR 65 (Transfer List)
RM: Gary O' Neil, 24, OVR 74
RM: Graeme Owens, 19, OVR 53 (Transfer List)
CM: Gaizka Mendieta, 33, OVR 67
CM: Fabio Rochemback, 25, OVR 73
CM: Jason Kennedy, 20, OVR 62
CM: Lee Cattermole, 19, OVR 71
CAM: Julio Arca, 26, OVR 75
CF: Afonso Alves, 26, OVR 82
CF: Tuncay, 25, OVR 78
ST: Mido, 24, OVR 76
ST: Jeremie Aliadiere, 24, OVR 74
ST: Dong Gook Lee, 28, OVR 69 (Transfer List)
ST: Tom Craddock, 20, OVR 51 (Transfer List)
ST: Jonathan Franks, 17, OVR 53 (Loan List)
LW: Stewart Downing, 23, OVR 79
LW: Adam Johnson, 20, OVR 65

Transfer News coming soon, any comments?

[Xeneize]

Pretty good start. Add images of the badge, put in the stadium info, and don't copy so much off of Wiki.

[pooman2279]

Middlesborough to sign Kafes?

It has been reported today that Middlesborough will today attempt to sign 29 year old Right Midfielder Pantelis Kafes from AEK Athens for a fee of around 1.9 million pounds. Kafes, who is known for his excellent crossing ability, said of the move, "Although I am happy in Greece, it is every players dream to play in England and at my age I probably won't get another chance. Naturally I would snap Mr Southgate's hand off should an offer come my way."

Southgate commented: "I have been watching Pantelis for a while now and have been impressed by his drive and of course his passing range. I would love to sign him and have already made a reasonable bid. I hope that Athens accept."

Middlesborough have a Away match with West Ham United to worry about first however.

[pooman2279]

Originally Posted by Xeneize

Pretty good start. Add images of the badge, put in the stadium info, and don't copy so much off of Wiki.

Will do.

[PackMan]

Good start KIU!

[pooman2279]

VS




Hello, and welcome to Upton Park for the first game of the Premier League season, West Ham VS Middlesborough. The Hammers will be looking for a good start as they push for the top ten, and Middlesborough have ambitions of their own as they look to challenge for a UEFA Cup spot. Without further ado then, it's kick-off time! Commentators are Andy Gray and Clive Tydlesley.

Middlesborough Starting 11:

Schwarzer
Young
Wheater
Huth
Pogatetz
Tuncay
Boateng
Arca
Downing
Alves
Mido

Bench:
O' Neil
Rochemback
Riggott
Cattermole
Aliadiere

West Ham Starting 11:

Green
Neill
Ferdinand
Upson
McCartney
Solano
Noble
Parker
Ljungberg
Ashton
Bellamy


KICK-OFF

2' An Ashton shot is well saved by Schwarzer. Corner.

3' GOAL! Bellamy rifles in the low corner. 1-0 West Ham.

4' Mido hits the bar with a fine header.

15' Alves denied 1-on-1 by a terrific stop from Green.

16' An amazing run and shot from Alves is again denied by a sharp looking Green. Corner

19' Rob Green saves from Mido before a Downing effort goes over. Green is looking impressive so far.

21' Foul by Boateng on the edge of the area. Hammers free kick.

23' GOAL! Downing crosses in for Alves to header in from 14 yards. Terrific stuff from the Brazilian hitman. 1-1.

25' Solano is denied by a good save from Schwarzer. Corner.

29' Mido heads over from a Tuncay cross.

31' Alves shot hits Upson. Corner.

31' Mido heads narrowly over.

45+1' GOAL! Ashton passes to the back post for an easy finish for Bellamy. 2-1 West Ham.

45+4' Arca is booked for a bad tackle. Free Kick.

45+5' GOAL! Middlesborough are furious as Solano scores even though only two minutes of stoppage time were added. 3-1 West Ham.

HALF TIME

Middlesborough will be disappointed being 3-1 down despite matching up with the Hammers. The Solano was also very contreversial.

SECOND HALF

60' Little to report so far in a dull half.

64' Young tackles Ljungberg and forces a corner.

67' Mido is coming off to be replaced by Aliadiere. Some much needed pace to the frontline.

68' Ferdinand is booked for a awful challenge on Aliadiere. He picked up a slight knock but should continue.

70' A terrific stop from Schwarzer forces a corner.

72' GOAL! Bellamy scores his hat-trick and effectively seals a Hammers win.

85' Middlesborough force a corner.

86' A tame Arca shot is saved easily by Green.

87' West Ham bring on Faubert for Solano.

FULL TIME

West Ham 4 - Middlesborough 1

Goals:
03' Bellamy
24' Alves
45' Bellamy
45+4' Solano
73' Bellamy

[pooman2279]

1 IN, 7 OUT AT THE RIVERSIDE

Middlesborough have confirmed the signing of Pantelis Kafes for a fee of around 1.9 million pounds from AEK Athens. The Right Midfielder said of the move, "I am delighted to announce I have signed a 3-year deal with the club and hope to make my debut soon."

The deal means that Tuncay will likely partner Alves up front, with Mido dropping to the bench.

Meanwhile, Tom Craddock, Jonathan Franks (on loan), Seb Hines, Dong Lee Gook, Greame Owens, Mohamed Shawky and Ross Turnbull have all left the club. Franks will return at the end of the season from Everton.

[pooman2279]

Will pick this up again tomorrow folks, Comments welcome, both good and bad.

[xRonaldinhox10x]

Good luck man, Boro are a fun team to play with

[Chelsea11]

You Dont Have Didier Digard!!!!!

[pooman2279]

I know, I still use last years teams.

[Chelsea11]

How!?

[pooman2279]

What do you mean how?

[Robalenko]

What a win for AI West Ham

[pooman2279]

Yeah you *******!
LOL just kidding, I was playing on World Class and I usually play on Pro, hopefully I'll adjust.

[JonnyHowson]

Good start, KIU!

[pooman2279]

Interview with Gareth Southgate

Earlier today I caught with Gareth Southgate to hear his views on current affairs at the club.

Interviewer: Hi Gareth, appreciate you talking to us. Firstly, how did you rate the performance against West Ham?

Southgate: I was obviously hugely disappointed to be sent back to the North with a beating like that. It's a shame as the first 40 minutes went quite well, we conceded early but Afonso scored and we played some good football.

I: Have you been impressed by your new signing Kafes in training?

S: Yes greatly. He works very hard and does his job well. And when my scout said he was a good crosser he wasn't kidding. He has a uncanny ability to pick out his man. That comes naturally to him.

I: Any new signings in the pipeline?

S: Of course, it's no secret we have a shortage of right backs at the club with Luke Young our only one and so I hope to get that sorted, also a new left back is a possibility, you will just have to wait and see.

I: Thank you for your time Gareth.

S: No problem, my pleasure.

[Robalenko]

I wonder how he will turn out Good I hope

[Robalenko]

Sorry, I just can't resist

This thread is poo, man.

Okay, I'm good now

[Robalenko]

Just so we are clear, I think this thread is coming along nicely

[pooman2279]

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/3/34/Middlesbrough_crest.png


VS

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/a/af/Birmingham_City_FC_logo.png



Both sides look for their first point of the season, Birmingham going with an unchanged side whereas Boro make a change, Tuncay moving up front to replace Mido and new signing Pantelis Kafes in at RM.

Starting 11:

Schwarzer
Young
Wheater
Huth
Pogatetz
Kafes
Boateng
Arca
Downing
Alves
Tuncay

Birmingham 11:

Taylor
Kelly
Rafeal
Ridgewell
Queudrue
Larsson
Johnson
Muamba
Mcsheffrey
Forssell
Kapo


KICK OFF

5' Tuncay heads at goal only for Taylor to easily save.

7' A Kapo header is wonderfully saved by Schwarzer.

9' Forssell is one-on-one but fires straight at Schwarzer.

12' Kapo forces another fine stop from the Boro keeper. Corner.

15' GOAL! Kafes lives up to the hype with a stunning cross well converted by the head of Tuncay. 1-0 Boro.

20' Mcsheffrey fouls Downing for a free kick.

21' Boateng's long range drive brings out a good stop from Maik Taylor.

32' Kapo's ambitious effort almost catches out Schwarzer, but the veteran wasn't faced in pulling out a decent save for the camera's. Corner.

34' Downing's cross is well caught by Taylor.

36' Downing's crolalalala the full back. Corner.

39' The Brummie's defence panic as Alves knocks an excellent ball through to Tuncay, who can only watch as Ridgewell puts it out for a corner.

40' Decent hit from 22 yards by Arca sails just wide.

42' GOAL! A stunning team move is capped off from a delightful volley by Alves. On a counter attack, Arca passed to Tuncay, he lofted a ball over Rafeal's head straight to Alves who volleyed home to send The Riverside into raptures. 2-0 Boro.

45+3' Wheater is booked for a bad tackle on Kapo. Free kick.

45+4' GOAL! Kapo scores with a simple header from the free kick. 2-1.

HALF TIME

Middlesbrough have looked impressive, and if they perform the same again in the second half then expect a home win.

SECOND HALF

48' Kapo heads inches wide.

51' A free kick in a dangerous area for Birmingham after Boro are harshly penalised for a innocuous looking challenge. However, Mcsheffrey wastes it with a poor cross easily caught by Schwarzer.

53' Downing's ball is headed just wide by Alves.

68' Alves' shot is comfortable for Taylor.

70' GOAL! Forssell, despite being quite all game, pops up to score. 2-2.

71' Almost an immediate reply as a stunning volley from Tuncay is saved by the keeper. Corner.

76' Downing tackle's Johnson for a corner.

77' GOAL! Muamba heads in to complete a stunning comeback for the Blue's. 3-2 Birmingham.

80' PENALTY Wheater is sent off for a poor tackle on Forssell. Forssell however missed the penalty.

FULL TIME

Boro 2 - Birmingham 3

Unlucky defeat in the end. Was gutted when they scored their 3rd.

[pooman2279]

Originally Posted by Robbie8912Play

I wonder how he will turn out Good I hope

He played well against the Brum lot.

Originally Posted by Robbie8912Play

Sorry, I just can't resist

This thread is poo, man.

Okay, I'm good now

Happens all the time. Someone once, as a typo, called me "Poonman". I loled for like weeks

Originally Posted by Robbie8912Play

Just so we are clear, I think this thread is coming along nicely

Thanks Robbie. Means a lot coming from a MM veteran such as yourself.

[pooman2279]

Middlesbrough sign Capdevila

Boro complete their second and last signing of the transfer window with the purchase of Joan Capdevila from Villarreal for an undisclosed fee. The gaffer said, " We had a left back problem and this man solves it. He is an excellent free kick taker, and can hit some screamers as well. Plus is a very good defender. I am delighted that he has joined us.

[uptonpark]

good mm

[uptonpark]

who have you got in your next match