View source for Middlesbrough F.C.

{{Short description|Association football club in England}}
{{about|the men's football club|the women's football club |Middlesbrough F.C. Women}}
{{Use British English|date=May 2019}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2025}}
{{Infobox football club
| clubname = Middlesbrough
| image = Middlesbrough FC crest.svg
| image_size = 210px
| nickname = {{ubl|Boro|[[Smoggie]]s ([[#Supporters|supporters]])}}
| alt = Middlesbrough Football Club crest
| fullname = Middlesbrough Football Club
| short name = MFC, Boro
| founded = {{Start date and age|df=yes|20 October 1876}}{{cn|date=October 2025}}
| ground = [[Riverside Stadium]]
| capacity = 34,742
| owntitle = 
| owner = [[Steve Gibson (businessman)|Steve Gibson]]
| chrtitle = 
| chairman = [[Steve Gibson (businessman)|Steve Gibson]]
| mgrtitle = Head coach
| manager = [[Kim Hellberg]]
| league = {{English football updater|Middboro}}
| season = {{English football updater|Middboro2}}
| position = {{English football updater|Middboro3}}
| pattern_la1 = _middlesbrough2526h
| pattern_b1 = _middlesbrough2526h
| pattern_ra1 = _feyenoord2526h
| pattern_sh1 = _middlesbrough2526h
| pattern_so1 = _redtopl
| leftarm1 = FF0000
| body1 = FF0000
| rightarm1 = FF0000
| shorts1 = FF0000
| socks1 = FF0000
| pattern_la2 = 
| pattern_b2 = _middlesbrough2526a
| pattern_ra2 = 
| pattern_sh2 = _middlesbrough2526a
| pattern_so2 = _middlesbrough2526al
| leftarm2 = 000000
| body2 = 000000
| rightarm2 = 000000
| shorts2 = 000000
| socks2 = 000000
| pattern_la3 = 
| pattern_b3 = 
| pattern_ra3 = 
| pattern_sh3 = 
| pattern_so3 = 
| leftarm3 = 
| body3 = 
| rightarm3 = 
| shorts3 = 
| socks3 = 
| current = 2025–26 Middlesbrough F.C. season
| website = {{URL|https://mfc.co.uk}}
}}
'''Middlesbrough Football Club''' ({{IPAc-en|audio=en-uk-Middlesbrough.ogg|ˈ|m|ɪ|d|əl|z|b|r|ə}} {{respell|MID|əlz|brə}}) is a professional [[association football]] club based in [[Middlesbrough]], [[North Yorkshire]]. They compete in the [[EFL Championship]], the second level of the [[English football league system]]. Nicknamed the Boro, they were formed in 1876 and are the 12th [[List of football clubs in England and Wales by year formed|oldest football league club]] in England and Wales. The club have played at the [[Riverside Stadium]] since 1995,<ref name="RSStadium">{{cite web |url=http://www.gazettelive.co.uk/boro-fc/boro-club-info/ |title=Boro FC club info |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070904115147/http://www.gazettelive.co.uk/boro-fc/boro-club-info/ |archive-date=4 September 2007 |publisher=gazettelive.co.uk |access-date=27 May 2008}}</ref> having previously played at [[Ayresome Park]] for 92 years, from 1903 to 1995.

Middlesbrough were one of the founding members of the [[Premier League]] in 1992, and have spent all but two seasons of their entire history as a professional club competing within the top two tiers of English football.<ref name="MFCHistBk1"/> Their highest league finish to date was third place in the top flight in the [[1913–14 in English football|1913–14 season]]. The outbreak of the [[World War I|First World War]] stunted their push for a first top division title, though the club pushed again during the inter-war years, finishing fourth in the [[1938–39 Football League|1938–39 season]] before the [[World War II|Second World War]] halted the English leagues and again prevented a push for a first title. The club came within minutes of folding in 1986 before they were saved by a [[consortium]] led by board member and later chairman [[Steve Gibson (businessman)|Steve Gibson]].<ref name="PremierLeagueSite"/> A remarkable [[Middlesbrough F.C. survival from liquidation|recovery]] saw the club immediately earn back to back promotions to the top division in the [[1986–87 Middlesbrough F.C. season|1986–87]] and [[1987–88 Middlesbrough F.C. season|1987–88]] seasons. The club were runners-up in the [[FA Cup]] and [[EFL Cup|League Cup]] in 1997<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.fourfourtwo.com/features/middlesbrough-199697-rucks-relegation-cup-finals-and-training-a-prison|title=Middlesbrough 1996/97: rucks, relegation, cup finals... and training at a prison|last=Stewart|first=Rob|publisher=[[FourFourTwo]]|date=30 January 2017|access-date=5 September 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.gazettelive.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/middlesbroughs-surreal--draining-dream-18048235|title=Middlesbrough's surreal draining 'Dream Time' 96/97 season still shapes fans' emotions|last=Vickers|first=Anthony|publisher=[[TeessideLive]]|date=6 April 2020|access-date=5 September 2022}}</ref> while also being relegated following a controversial 3-point deduction,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/middlesbrough-rocked-by-threepoint-penalty-1283330.html|title=Middlesbrough rocked by three-point penalty|last=Duxbury|first=Nick|publisher=[[The Independent|Independent]]|date=15 January 1997|access-date=23 February 2024}}</ref> and losing another League Cup [[1998 Football League Cup final|final]] the following season. Under [[Steve McClaren]], the club won the League Cup in [[2004 Football League Cup final|2004]], its first major silverware, and reached the [[2006 UEFA Cup final]]. The club has played one Premier League season since relegation in 2009.

Middlesbrough is the only major professional football club in the greater [[Teesside]] area (the 14th biggest [[List of urban areas in the United Kingdom|urban area]] in England), the [[Tees Valley]], and the county of [[North Yorkshire]] (the largest county in England by area<ref name="English Counties By Population And Area 2024">{{cite web |url=http://populationdata.org.uk/english-counties-by-population-and-area/ |title= English Counties By Population And Area 2024 |date= 27 August 2021 |publisher=populationdata.org |access-date=22 March 2024}}</ref>). The club has regional rivalries with the two closest major clubs, [[Newcastle United F.C.|Newcastle United]] (the [[Tyne–Tees derby]]) and [[Sunderland A.F.C.|Sunderland]] (the [[Tees–Wear derby]]).<ref name="fan survey">{{cite web |url=http://www.footballfanscensus.com/issueresults/Club_Rivalries_Uncovered_Results.pdf |title=Club rivalries uncovered |publisher=footballfancensus |access-date=13 October 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131020074918/http://www.footballfanscensus.com/issueresults/Club_Rivalries_Uncovered_Results.pdf |archive-date=20 October 2013 }}</ref>

The club's traditional kit is red with white detailing, often in the form of a white chest band. The home shorts and sock colours have interchangeably been shifted between red and white, complementing the red shirt that was adopted in 1899.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://historicalkits.co.uk/Middlesbrough/Middlesbrough.htm|title=Middlesbrough historical kits|publisher=Historicalkits.co.uk|access-date=12 June 2019}}</ref> The various crests throughout the club's history, the most recent of which was adopted in 2007,<ref name="newcrest">{{cite news |date=12 May 2007 |url=http://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/1392479.boro_change_badge_to_reflect_history/ |title=Boro change badge to reflect history |work=The Northern Echo |access-date=10 October 2008 |first=Matt |last=Westcott | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081207104857/http://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/1392479.boro_change_badge_to_reflect_history/ | archive-date=7 December 2008 | url-status=live }}</ref> incorporate a lion rampant.

==History==
{{For|a season-by-season record of league and cup performances|List of Middlesbrough F.C. seasons}}
{{Main|History of Middlesbrough F.C.}}

===Formation and early years (1876–1914)===
[[File:MIddlesbrough FC League Performance.svg|thumb|right|Chart showing the progress of Middlesbrough's league finishes since the 1899–1900 season]]
Middlesbrough were formed in 1876, and won the [[FA Amateur Cup]] in 1895 and again in 1898. The club turned professional in 1889, but reverted to amateur status in 1892.<ref name="MFCHistBk1">{{cite book |last=Glasper |first=Harry |title=Middlesbrough A Complete Record 1876–1989 |year=1989 |publisher=Breedon Books Sport |isbn=0-907969-53-4}}</ref> They turned professional permanently in 1899.<ref name="Hist76-02">{{cite web |url=http://www.mfc.co.uk/page/club/club-history/0,,1~51936,00.html |title=Club History – Birth of The Boro: 1876–1902 |access-date=14 February 2014 |publisher=Middlesbrough F.C. |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131116054519/http://www.mfc.co.uk/page/club/club-history/0,,1~51936,00.html |archive-date=16 November 2013}}</ref> After three seasons, they won promotion to the [[Football League First Division|First Division]], where they would remain for the next {{nowrap|22 years}}.<ref name="MFCHistBk1"/>

In 1903, the club moved to [[Ayresome Park]], their home for the next {{nowrap|92 years}}. In 1905, the club sanctioned the transfer of [[Alf Common]] for [[Pound sterling|£]]1,000, a record fee.<ref name="AlfCommon">{{cite news |url=http://www.gazettelive.co.uk/news/local-news/battling-boro-125-years-3842065 |title=Battling with the Boro for 125 years |work=Evening Gazette |date=21 October 2003 |access-date=14 February 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140221171201/http://www.gazettelive.co.uk/news/local-news/battling-boro-125-years-3842065 |archive-date=21 February 2014 |url-status=live}}</ref> In the same year, [[Tim Williamson]] became the first Middlesbrough player to play international football.<ref name="Hist03-WW2"/>

Over these early years in the top flight, their form fluctuated greatly, rising to sixth in [[1907–08 in English football|1907–08]]<ref>{{cite web |title=Football League Seasons – 1907–08 |url=http://www.englandfootballonline.com/Seas1900-39/1907-08/1907-08FL.html |access-date=29 February 2024 |website=www.englandfootballonline.com}}</ref> before dropping to 17th two seasons later.<ref>{{cite web |title=Football League Seasons – 1909–10 |url=http://www.englandfootballonline.com/Seas1900-39/1909-10/1909-10FL.html |access-date=29 February 2024 |website=www.englandfootballonline.com}}</ref> The club rose to their highest league finish to date, third, in [[1913–14 in English football|1913–14]].<ref name="Hist03-WW2">{{cite web |url=http://www.mfc.co.uk/page/club/club-history/0,,1~352488,00.html |title=Club History – Early Years: 1903-World War II |access-date=14 February 2014 |publisher=Middlesbrough F.C. |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140223004856/http://www.mfc.co.uk/page/club/club-history/0,,1~352488,00.html |archive-date=23 February 2014}}</ref> The [[World War I|First World War]] soon intervened, and football was suspended.

===Ups and downs (1914–1966)===
Before league football resumed, Middlesbrough won the Northern Victory League,<ref name="finish table">{{cite web |title=Statistics, History and Records – from TheStatCat |url=http://www.thestatcat.co.uk/Season.aspx?SeasonID=40 |access-date=29 February 2024 |website=www.thestatcat.co.uk}}</ref> but the team were unable to maintain their previous form and finished the [[1919–20 in English football|1919–20]] season in mid-table. They remained in the First Division for the next few seasons, but were relegated in [[1923–24 in English football|1923–24]] after finishing bottom, 10 points adrift of their nearest rivals.{{failed verification|date=February 2024|reason='10 points adrift of their nearest rivals' does not appear to be in the source.}}<ref name="LeagueResults">{{cite web |url=http://www.middlesbrough-mad.co.uk/league_history/middlesbrough/index.shtml |title=League history |publisher=Middlesbrough Mad |access-date=14 February 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140402203416/http://www.middlesbrough-mad.co.uk/league_history/middlesbrough/index.shtml |archive-date=2 April 2014 |url-status=live}}</ref> Three seasons later, they won the [[Football League Division Two|Division Two]] title. During that season, debutant [[George Camsell]], who had signed from [[Third Division North]] side Durham City the previous season, finished with a record 59 league goals, which included nine hat-tricks. He would continue as top scorer for each of the next 10 seasons.<ref name="Camsell">{{cite web |url=http://www.gazettelive.co.uk/boro-fc/boro-legends/2007/07/27/george-camsell-84229-19531247/ |title=George Camsell |publisher=gazettelive.co.uk |access-date=26 May 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071103124051/http://www.gazettelive.co.uk/boro-fc/boro-legends/2007/07/27/george-camsell-84229-19531247/ |archive-date=3 November 2007}}</ref> Middlesbrough's tenure back in the top flight lasted only one season, and the club were relegated.<ref name="finish table" /> They were promoted at the first attempt in [[1928–29 in English football|1928–29]], winning another Second Division title.<ref name="finish table" /> The club remained in the First Division until 1954.

[[File:George Hardwick (1956).jpg|thumb|right|[[George Hardwick]], a Middlesbrough and England player, later a manager and coach]]
The decade before the [[World War II|Second World War]] saw the emergence of [[Wilf Mannion]] and [[George Hardwick]], both of whom would go on to become [[England national football team|England]] internationals in the years ahead.{{citation needed|date=February 2024}} Middlesbrough climbed to fourth in the last full season before the war, and were expected to challenge for the title the following season, but the war intervened.<ref name="MFCHistBk1"/> After the war, the club was unable to recover the form of the previous seasons before the war, hovering around mid-table and exiting in the early rounds of the [[FA Cup]]. Soon after the war, the team began to falter, and were relegated in [[1953–54 in English football|1953–54]]. This was the start of a 20-year spell outside the top division, but this was the spell too that saw the emergence of one of the club's top goalscorers, [[Brian Clough]], who scored 204 goals in 222 games, before he left for [[Sunderland A.F.C.|Sunderland]].<ref name="Clough">{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/news/2004/sep/21/guardianobituaries.football |title=Obituary: Brian Clough |work=The Guardian |location=UK |access-date=26 May 2008 |first=Brian |last=Glanville |date=20 September 2004 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130930184538/http://www.theguardian.com/news/2004/sep/21/guardianobituaries.football |archive-date=30 September 2013 |url-status=live}}</ref> 

On 6 May 1950 Middlesbrough were represented by a Black player for the first time, Jamaican-born [[Lindy Delapenha]] making his debut in an away game against Fulham on that date. In total he went on to make 270 appearances, scoring 92 goals, before he left for [[Mansfield Town]] after the 1957–58 season.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Hern |first1=Bill |last2=Gleave |first2=David |title=Football's Black Pioneers |date=2020 |publisher=Conker Editions |location=Leicester |isbn=9781999900854 |pages=168–169}}</ref> Over that period, Middlesbrough maintained reasonable progress in the Second Division, but were never serious contenders for promotion. After a fourth-place finish in [[1962–63 in English football|1962–63]], the club endured a steady decline and were relegated to the [[Football League Third Division|Third Division]] for the first time in their history in 1966.<ref name="finish table" />

===Resurgence, 'Charlton's Champions', and financial crisis (1966–1994)===
New manager [[Stan Anderson]] returned the club to the second flight at the first attempt.<ref name="MFCHistBk1" /> Middlesbrough would not finish below ninth during the next six seasons in the Second Division, finishing 4th (just outside the top three promotion winning places at the time) on three of those occasions.<ref name="MFCHistBk1" />

In 1973, [[Jack Charlton]] took over as manager and guided the team back to the top flight. A team led on the pitch by [[Willie Maddren]] and [[Bobby Murdoch]], and including a young [[Graeme Souness]], ensured promotion as early as 23 March 1974, and with eight games of the season left, they became runaway champions, finishing with a league record 65 points (based on the 2 points for a win format).{{failed verification|date=February 2024|reason=source does not mention the date in March, does not mention March, does not mention number of games left, does not mention anything about 'runaway champions'.}}<ref name="MFCHistBk1" /><ref name="Hist45-86">{{cite web |url=http://www.mfc.co.uk/page/club/club-history/0,,1~352495,00.html |archive-url=https://archive.today/20140214193744/http://www.mfc.co.uk/page/club/club-history/0,,1~352495,00.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=14 February 2014 |title=Club History – Mannion, Hardwick, Clough and Charlton: 1945 to 1986 |publisher=Middlesbrough F.C. |access-date=14 February 2014}}</ref> After a very promising start to their first campaign back in the first division [[Bob Paisley]], manager of eventual runners up Liverpool, tipped Middlesbrough as favourites to win the league, however they ultimately fell short finishing seventh. Middlesbrough won their first silverware as a professional side in [[1975–76 in English football|the 1975–76 season]], lifting the [[Anglo-Scottish Cup]] in its inaugural season after a two-legged final win over [[Fulham F.C.|Fulham]].<ref name="Hist45-86" /><ref name="Anglo-Scottish">{{cite web |url=http://www.statto.com/football/stats/england/anglo-scottish-cup/1975-1976/results/fn |title=Anglo-Scottish Cup 1975–1976: Final |publisher=Statto |access-date=14 February 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140222062407/http://www.statto.com/football/stats/england/anglo-scottish-cup/1975-1976/results/fn |archive-date=22 February 2014}}</ref>

In 1979, [[John Neal (footballer, born 1932)|John Neal]] made the club's first international signing, with [[Božo Janković|Boško Janković]] arriving from [[FK Željezničar Sarajevo|Željezničar Sarajevo]].<ref name="MFCHistBk1" />

The club experienced severe financial difficulties during the mid-1980s.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Gillett |first1=Alex&nbsp;G. |last2=Tennent |first2=Kevin&nbsp;D. |last3=Hutchinson |first3=Fred|editor1-last=Cabras|editor1-first=Ignazio|editor2-last=Higgins|editor2-first=David Minden|editor3-last=Preece|editor3-first=David |title=Beer, Pubs and Brewing: A Global Perspective |date=2016 |publisher=Palgrave Macmillan |location=Basingstoke |isbn=9781137466174 |pages=303–320 |chapter=Beer and the Boro – A Perfect Match!}}</ref> Middlesbrough were dropping down the table, and finished 19th in the [[1984–85 in English football|1984–85 season]].<ref name="finish table" /> In April 1986, the club had to borrow £30,000 from the [[Professional Footballers' Association]] (PFA) to pay wages.<ref name="MFCHistBk1" /> The final game of the season saw Middlesbrough relegated to the Third Division again.<ref name="MFCHistBk1" /> That summer, the club called in the [[Official Receiver|Provisional Liquidator]], and, shortly afterwards, the club was wound up and the gates to Ayresome Park were padlocked.<ref name="MFCHistBk1" /> Without the £350,000 capital required for [[Football League]] registration, a new rule, the club risked folding permanently.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.gazettelive.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/just-37-days-save-club-3773580 |title=Just 37 days to save our club |date=19 May 2006 |access-date=14 February 2014 |publisher=gazettelive.co.uk |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140221171148/http://www.gazettelive.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/just-37-days-save-club-3773580 |archive-date=21 February 2014 |url-status=live}}</ref> [[Steve Gibson (businessman)|Steve Gibson]], however, a member of the board at the time, brought together a consortium, and with 10 minutes to spare before the deadline they completed their registration with the Football League for the [[1986–87 in English football|1986–87 season]].<ref name="liquidation">{{cite news |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/m/middlesbrough/4976108.stm |title=Uefa final caps Boro fairytale |access-date=25 May 2008 |work=BBC Sport |date=14 February 2014}}</ref> Following the registration came both a change of club crest and a change of the official company name to Middlesbrough Football and Athletic Club (1986) Ltd.{{failed verification|date=February 2024|reason=source does not mention crest. official company name given in source is not what is included here.}}<ref name="Hist86-Pres">{{cite web |url=http://www.mfc.co.uk/page/club/club-history/0,,1~352502,00.html |title=Club History – Winners at Last! 1986 to present |access-date=14 February 2014 |publisher=Middlesbrough F.C. |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120726204352/http://www.mfc.co.uk/page/club/club-history/0,,1~352502,00.html |archive-date=26 July 2012}}</ref>

Over the next two seasons, Middlesbrough gained successive promotions into Division Two and then into Division One,<ref name="finish table" /> the latter being the first and only time a second-tier side [[1988 Football League Second Division play-off final|directly relegated]] a first tier side through the [[English Football League play-offs]]. The next season however, they came straight back down to Division Two, and with it came the then British transfer record move of [[Gary Pallister]] to [[Manchester United F.C.|Manchester United]] for £2.3&nbsp;million.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/h2g2/A18740513 |title=Manchester United: The Sir Alex Era – Part 1 |access-date=28 May 2007 |publisher=BBC |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080227171519/http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/h2g2/A18740513 |archive-date=27 February 2008 |url-status=live}}</ref> Following promotion again, Middlesbrough became one of the founding members of the [[Premier League|FA Premier League]] when it was launched in the [[1992–93 FA Premier League|1992–93 season]].<ref name="PremierLeagueSite">{{cite web |url=http://origin-www.premierleague.com/page/middlesbrough |title=Middlesbrough, Official Site of the Premier League |access-date=14 February 2014 |publisher=Premier League |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140222163952/http://origin-www.premierleague.com/page/middlesbrough |archive-date=22 February 2014}}</ref>

===Bryan Robson years (1994–2001)===
Player-manager [[Bryan Robson]], from Manchester United, took charge in 1994.<ref name="Bryan Robson">{{cite web |url=http://www.gazettelive.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/middlesbrough-fc-anthony-vickers-countdown-4043321 |title=Anthony Vickers' countdown of Boro's top 40 signings |date=4 June 2013 |access-date=14 February 2014 |publisher=Gazette Live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140117004610/http://www.gazettelive.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/middlesbrough-fc-anthony-vickers-countdown-4043321 |archive-date=17 January 2014 |url-status=live}}</ref> Following promotion to the Premier League Middlesbrough made high-profile purchases like Brazilian international [[Juninho Paulista|Juninho]]<ref name="PremierLeagueSite" /> and previous season's [[1996 UEFA Champions League final|Champions League final]] goalscorer and Italian international [[Fabrizio Ravanelli]]. A difficult [[1996–97 FA Premier League|1996–97 season]], however, was compounded by a deduction of three points imposed just after Christmas as punishment for the club's failure to fulfil a fixture against [[Blackburn Rovers F.C.|Blackburn Rovers]], which ultimately resulted in relegation.<ref name="PremierLeague96/97">{{cite web |url=http://www.premierleague.com/content/premierleague/en-gb/matchday/results.html?paramSeason=1996-1997&view=.dateSeason |title=Season 1996/97 |access-date=27 May 2008 |publisher=Premier League |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111210110402/http://www.premierleague.com/content/premierleague/en-gb/matchday/results.html?paramSeason=1996-1997&view=.dateSeason |archive-date=10 December 2011 |url-status=live}}</ref> Without the points deduction imposed by the FA Premier League despite the club having taken advice from the Premier League themselves prior to calling off the match, the club would have had enough points to avoid the drop.{{citation needed|date=April 2024}} At the same time, the club reached both the [[1997 Football League Cup final|League]] and [[1997 FA Cup final|FA Cup]] finals for the first time, but lost both games. Despite being in the second tier, they were again runners-up in the [[1998 Football League Cup final|League Cup final the next year]].<ref name="Hist86-Pres"/>

Despite losing high-profile players Ravanelli and Juninho due to relegation, Middlesbrough were promoted back to the Premier League at the first attempt, in 1998. The following season saw them settle well and they had a 12-game unbeaten run midway through [[1998–99 FA Premier League|1998–99]], including a 3–2 win at [[Old Trafford]] in January during which they took a 3–0 lead; it was Manchester United's only home defeat during their [[treble (association football)|treble]]-winning [[1998–99 Manchester United F.C. season|season]]. Middlesbrough continued to stay secure in mid-table the following season, due mainly to the goals of [[Hamilton Ricard]] and the signings of prominent players such as [[Paul Ince]] and [[Christian Ziege]]. In [[2000–01 FA Premier League|2000–01]], they had a brief relegation scare that was solved with the arrival of [[Terry Venables]] as co-manager, and a 3–0 win away at [[Arsenal F.C.|Arsenal]] in April was the team's best result. The trend of buying high profile European-based players continued with the acquisitions of [[Christian Karembeu]] and [[Alen Bokšić]]. Bryan Robson left the club before the start of [[2001–02 FA Premier League|2001–02 season]], having served as manager for seven years.<ref>{{cite news |title=Robson leaves Middlesbrough |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2001/jun/05/newsstory.sport8 |access-date=12 May 2024 |work=The Guardian |date=5 June 2001}}</ref>

===Venture into Europe (2001–2009)===
[[File:MillenniumStadiumInside.jpg|right|thumb|The [[2004 Football League Cup final|2004 League Cup final]] at the [[Millennium Stadium]]]]
After Venables decided not to take on the role of full time manager, in June 2001 Manchester United assistant coach [[Steve McClaren]] was appointed to replace Robson.<ref>{{cite news |title=McClaren is new Boro boss |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/m/middlesbrough/1384386.stm |access-date=11 May 2024 |work=BBC Sport |date=12 June 2001}}</ref>

In his first season, McClaren led Middlesbrough to a respectable 12th place league finish and an FA Cup semi final, narrowly losing 1–0 to Arsenal. A slight improvement in the league saw the club finish 11th the following season. The [[2003–04 Middlesbrough F.C. season|2003–04 season]] saw the club again finish 11th in the league, but much more significantly win a first major trophy by beating [[Bolton Wanderers F.C.|Bolton Wanderers]] 2–1 in the [[2004 Football League Cup final|League Cup final]].<ref name="LgCpFinal">{{cite news |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/league_cup/3507795.stm |title=Boro lift Carling Cup |access-date=21 May 2007 |date=29 February 2004 |work=BBC Sport |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120322002207/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/league_cup/3507795.stm |archive-date=22 March 2012 |url-status=live}}</ref> The League Cup win also ensured that Middlesbrough would qualify for Europe – the [[UEFA Europa League|UEFA Cup]] – for the first time – the following season, where they reached the [[2004–05 UEFA Cup final phase#Round of 16|last 16 of the competition]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.uefa.com/news/025e-0f908bee1043-5b7b8c2e81de-1000--middlesbrough-reach-uefa-cup/ |title=Middlesbrough reach UEFA Cup |website=[[UEFA]] |date=29 February 2004 |access-date=1 March 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/europe/4350037.stm |title=Sporting 1–0 M'Brough (Agg: 4–2) |website=BBC Sport |date=17 March 2005 |access-date=1 March 2024}}</ref> UEFA Cup qualification was achieved for the [[2005–06 UEFA Cup|second consecutive year]] after a 1–1 away draw with [[Manchester City F.C.|Manchester City]] on the final game of the season. The match concluded with a dramatic last minute late penalty save by goalkeeper [[Mark Schwarzer]] which saw Middlesbrough finish above City in 7th place and qualify for Europe again.<ref name="Results0405">{{cite news |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/2359695/City-pay-the-penalty-for-Fowler-miss.html |title=City pay the penalty for Fowler miss |work=The Daily Telegraph |location=UK |access-date=14 February 2014 |first=Tim |last=Rich |date=16 May 2005|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140225012210/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/2359695/City-pay-the-penalty-for-Fowler-miss.html|archive-date=25 February 2014|url-status=live}}</ref>

Middlesbrough enjoyed one of its most successful cup campaigns to date in the [[2005–06 Middlesbrough F.C. season|2005–2006 season]]. Domestically the club reached the League Cup quarter final and the FA Cup semi final, losing out to a late goal in a 1–0 loss to [[West Ham United|West Ham]] at [[Villa Park]]. The club also reached the [[2006 UEFA Cup final]] following two miraculous last minute comebacks from 3–0 down on aggregate in the quarter and semi finals against [[FC Basel]] and [[FCSB|Steaua Bucharest]] respectively,<ref name="UEFACpQt">{{cite news |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/m/middlesbrough/4875620.stm |title=Middlesbrough 4–1 Basle |access-date=28 May 2007 |date=6 April 2004 |work=BBC Sport |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061213011549/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/m/middlesbrough/4875620.stm |archive-date=13 December 2006 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="UEFACpSm">{{cite news |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/europe/4933504.stm |title=M'brough 4–2 S B'chrst |access-date=28 May 2007 |date=27 April 2004 |work=BBC Sport |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070106075557/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/europe/4933504.stm |archive-date=6 January 2007 |url-status=live}}</ref> however ultimately fell short losing 4–0 to [[Sevilla FC|Sevilla]] in the final in [[Eindhoven]].<ref name="Results0506">{{cite web |url=https://www.uefa.com/uefaeuropaleague/news/0252-0cd9b1313b03-1633022547b9-1000--sevilla-run-away-with-the-trophy/ |title=Sevilla run away with trophy |date=10 May 2006 |access-date=14 February 2014 |publisher=UEFA |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140222162408/http://www.uefa.com/news/newsid=420487.html |archive-date=22 February 2014 |url-status=live}}</ref> McClaren's teams featured local youth players such as [[Stewart Downing]], [[Adam Johnson (footballer)|Adam Johnson]] and [[James Morrison (footballer)|James Morrison]]<ref>{{cite news |last1=Bailey |first1=Graeme |title=Mac beams over Boro babes |url=https://www.skysports.com/football/news/2370012/mac-beams-over-boro-babes |access-date=11 May 2024 |publisher=Sky Sports}}</ref> as well as experienced international players such as forward trio [[Yakubu (footballer)|Yakubu]], [[Mark Viduka]] and [[Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink]],<ref>{{cite news |last1=Paylor |first1=Eric |title=How Middlesbrough signed star trio and the circumstances surrounding their exits |url=https://www.gazettelive.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/how-middlesbrough-signed-star-trio-20605480 |access-date=11 May 2024 |work=Gazette Live |date=16 May 2021}}</ref> and midfielder [[Gaizka Mendieta]]. Middlesbrough fielded the youngest starting 11 (average age 20) in the final Premier League game in the 2005–06 season, against [[Fulham F.C.|Fulham]]. Nine players were teenagers – all English – and two more came on as substitutes.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Shaw |first1=Dominic |title=#OnThisBoroDay 2006: Boro's young guns make history on the final day at Fulham |url=https://www.gazettelive.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/onthisboroday-2006-boros-young-guns-9193370 |access-date=11 May 2024 |work=Gazette Live |date=7 May 2015}}</ref>

Following the European Cup final loss, McClaren left to manage the [[England national football team|England national team]], and captain [[Gareth Southgate]] took over as manager. Despite not having the coaching qualifications, he was allowed by the Premier League board to continue after receiving special dispensation.<ref name="GateCoachingBadges">{{cite news |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/2350882/Southgate-wins-coaching-badge-appeal.html |title=Southgate wins coaching badges appeal |date=23 November 2006 |access-date=14 February 2014 |work=The Daily Telegraph |location=UK |first=Rob |last=Stewart|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140324182410/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/2350882/Southgate-wins-coaching-badge-appeal.html|archive-date=24 March 2014|url-status=live}}</ref> Southgate led the club to a 12th-placed finish and an FA Cup quarter final in his [[2006–07 Middlesbrough F.C. season|first season]] as manager. In the subsequent [[2007–08 Middlesbrough F.C. season|2007–2008 season]], Middlesbrough again made the [[2007–08 FA Cup|FA Cup quarter final]], but despite being 2nd favourites to win the cup ahead of their quarter final home tie to Championship side [[Cardiff City]], Middlesbrough lost the tie and eventually finished 13th in the league, beating Manchester City 8–1 on the final day.

In January 2008, the club broke its record transfer fee, paying £13.6&nbsp;million for [[Brazil national football team|Brazilian international]] striker [[Afonso Alves]].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/2291155/Afonso-Alves-eyes-Middlesbrough-debut.html |title=Afonso Alves eyes Middlesbrough debut |work=The Daily Telegraph |location=UK |date=6 February 2008 |access-date=14 February 2014 |first=Richard |last=Bright |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140324182358/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/2291155/Afonso-Alves-eyes-Middlesbrough-debut.html |archive-date=24 March 2014 |url-status=live}}</ref> The club was relegated to the [[EFL Championship|Championship]] at the end of the [[2008–09 Middlesbrough F.C. season|2008–09 season]]<ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_prem/8048322.stm |title=West Ham 2–1 Middlesbrough |last=Ashenden |first=Mark |website=BBC Sport |date=24 May 2009 |access-date=1 March 2024}}</ref> in 19th place.

===Decline, brief revival and relegation (2009–2017)===
Middlesbrough sacked [[Gareth Southgate]] as manager in October 2009, when Southgate's team were one point from leading the Championship, and replaced him with [[Gordon Strachan]].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2009/oct/26/gordon-strachan-middlesbrough-new-manager |title=Gordon Strachan confirmed as Middlesbrough's new manager |work=The Guardian |location=UK |access-date=26 October 2009 |date=26 October 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131204000605/http://www.theguardian.com/football/2009/oct/26/gordon-strachan-middlesbrough-new-manager |archive-date=4 December 2013 |url-status=live}}</ref> At the time of Southgate's dismissal, Boro were fourth in the Championship but their form under Strachan declined and they finished mid-table.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/m/middlesbrough/8319489.stm |title=Strachan named Middlesbrough boss |website=BBC Sport |date=26 October 2009 |access-date=21 February 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.statto.com/football/teams/middlesbrough/2009-2010/table |title=Middlesbrough 2009–2010: English League Championship Table at end of season |access-date=14 February 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140222062721/http://www.statto.com/football/teams/middlesbrough/2009-2010/table |archive-date=22 February 2014}}</ref> On 18 October 2010, Strachan resigned and was later replaced by [[Tony Mowbray]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/m/middlesbrough/9103816.stm |title=Gordon Strachan resigns as manager of Middlesbrough |website=BBC Sport |date=18 October 2010 |access-date=21 February 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/m/middlesbrough/9128153.stm |title=Middlesbrough name Tony Mowbray as new manager |access-date=18 March 2012 |date=26 October 2010 |work=BBC Sport |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160113012539/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/m/middlesbrough/9128153.stm |archive-date=13 January 2016 |url-status=live}}</ref> Following a poor run of form at the start of the [[2013–14 Middlesbrough F.C. season|2013–14 campaign]], Mowbray left the club with immediate effect on 21 October.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/24617321 |title=Tony Mowbray: Middlesbrough boss leaves role after three years |website=BBC Sport |date=21 October 2013 |access-date=21 February 2024}}</ref>

[[Aitor Karanka]], a former assistant coach at [[Real Madrid CF|Real Madrid]] to [[José Mourinho]], became the new Middlesbrough manager.<ref name="AKNOV13">{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/24925713 |title=Aitor Karanka: Middlesbrough name ex-Real Madrid man as boss |work=BBC Sport |date=13 November 2013 |access-date=8 December 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131116091839/http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/24925713 |archive-date=16 November 2013 |url-status=live}}</ref> He became the first non-British manager at the club,<ref name="AKNOV13"/> and led Boro to a 12th-place finish.<ref name="FCHD"/> In Karanka's first full season in charge, Middlesbrough finished fourth and thus qualified for the [[2015 Football League play-offs]].{{citation needed|date=February 2024}} After defeating [[Brentford F.C.|Brentford]] 5–1 on aggregate in the semi-final, the club lost 2–0 to [[Norwich City F.C.|Norwich City]] at [[Wembley Stadium]] in the [[2015 Football League Championship play-off final|final]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/32636569 |title=Middlesbrough 3–0 Brentford |last=Newsum |first=Matt |website=BBC Sport |date=15 May 2015 |access-date=21 February 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/32776552 |title=Middlesbrough 0–2 Norwich City |last=Shepka |first=Phil |website=BBC Sport |date=25 May 2015 |access-date=21 February 2024}}</ref> The following [[2015–16 Football League Championship|2015–16]] season ended in dramatic fashion. The final match of the ordinary season was a head to head between 2nd placed Boro and 3rd placed [[Brighton & Hove Albion F.C.|Brighton & Hove Albion]] at The Riverside. Boro required 1 point from the match to finish above Brighton in second place and secure automatic promotion. After taking a first half lead, they were pegged back, but ultimately held on for the draw, securing promotion back to the Premier League.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2016/may/07/middlesbrough-promoted-premier-league-draw-brighton-boro |title=Middlesbrough promoted to Premier League after 1–1 draw with Brighton |last=Taylor |first=Louise |date=7 May 2016 |work=[[The Guardian]] |access-date=6 May 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180707172346/https://www.theguardian.com/football/2016/may/07/middlesbrough-promoted-premier-league-draw-brighton-boro|archive-date=7 July 2018|url-status=live}}</ref>

Middlesbrough dismissed Karanka in March 2017 following a poor run of form, and the team were relegated in 19th place, after just one season back in the top flight. The team won only 5 league games, and scored 27 goals, the lowest in the league.{{additional citation needed|date=February 2024|reason=it is unclear from the source if it is from the last game of the season. but '19th place' is not mentioned.}}{{failed verification|date=February 2024|reason=source states that Karanka departed 'by mutual consent'? so not 'sacked'? appears to confirm 5 league wins. does not appear to verify 'scored 27 goals, the lowest in the league'.}}<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.goal.com/en/news/middlesbrough-relegated-premier-league-defeat-chelsea/1nrhqavuxaa8x1kjn5eip6hm7s |title=Middlesbrough's Premier League relegation confirmed |last=Smith |first=Jamie |date=8 May 2017 |publisher=[[Goal (website)|Goal.com]] |access-date=6 May 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180507153445/http://www.goal.com/en/news/middlesbrough-relegated-premier-league-defeat-chelsea/1nrhqavuxaa8x1kjn5eip6hm7s|archive-date=7 May 2018|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Return to the Championship (2017–present)===
The club appointed former [[Leeds United F.C.|Leeds United]] manager [[Garry Monk]] as manager in the off-season. Expectations at the club were high, having spent close to £50&nbsp;million in the transfer window on player purchases, in order to mount an immediate promotion challenge back to the Premier League.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/football-league/middlesbrough-transfer-latest-net-spend-summer-window-championship-promotion-odds-garry-monk-a7924616.html |title=Middlesbrough are eyeing promotion at the first attempt – after £50m spend Garry Monk knows he must deliver |last=Hardy |first=Martin |work=The Independent |date=1 September 2017|access-date=29 January 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171226234607/http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/football-league/middlesbrough-transfer-latest-net-spend-summer-window-championship-promotion-odds-garry-monk-a7924616.html|archive-date=26 December 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> Monk left in December, with Middlesbrough ninth in the Championship,<ref>{{cite tweet |user=Boro |number=944678550283702279 |date=23 December 2017 |title=Middlesbrough Football Club have parted company with manager Garry Monk}}</ref><ref name="BBC23dec17">{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/42468443 |title=Garry Monk: Middlesbrough part company with manager despite victory |work=BBC Sport |date=23 December 2017 |access-date=23 December 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171223221321/http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/42468443|archive-date=23 December 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> and [[Tony Pulis]] was appointed as his replacement.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.mfc.co.uk/news/tony-pulis-appointed-as-new-boro-manager |title=Tony Pulis appointed as new Boro manager |publisher=Middlesbrough Football Club |date=26 December 2017|access-date=26 December 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171226202332/https://www.mfc.co.uk/news/tony-pulis-appointed-as-new-boro-manager|archive-date=26 December 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> Pulis led the side to finish 5th in the table, however, they lost in the play-off semi-finals to Aston Villa.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/44035613 |title=Aston Villa 0–0 Middlesbrough (Agg 1–0) |last=Scott |first=Ged |website=BBC Sport |date=15 May 2018 |access-date=21 February 2024}}</ref><ref name="FCHD"/> In the [[2018–19 Middlesbrough F.C. season|following season]], a poor finish to the season caused them to finish 7th and miss out on the play-offs by one point.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sportsmole.co.uk/fb_358315.html|title=Result: Boro miss out on playoffs by one point|website=Sports Mole|date=5 May 2019 }}</ref>

When Pulis's contract was not extended,<ref>{{cite news |title=Pulis exits Boro after missing promotion |work=BBC Sport |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/48255942 |date=17 May 2019 |access-date=28 November 2023}}</ref> he was replaced by former Middlesbrough defender and first team coach, [[Jonathan Woodgate]] on 14 June 2019 on a three-year contract.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2019/jun/12/middlesbrough-appoint-jonathan-woodgate-manager |title=Middlesbrough name Jonathan Woodgate as manager |website=The Guardian |date=14 June 2019 |access-date=21 February 2024}}</ref>  Woodgate was sacked with the club only outside of the relegation zone on goal difference with eight games left of the 2019–20 season,<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/53156891 |title=Jonathan Woodgate: Why did his dream appointment at Middlesbrough not work out? |last=Newsum |first=Matt |website=BBC Sport |date=23 June 2020 |access-date=21 February 2024}}</ref> and [[Neil Warnock]] was appointed as his replacement on the same day.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11680/12013037/middlesbrough-sack-jonathan-woodgate-and-name-neil-warnock-as-replacement|title=Middlesbrough sack Jonathan Woodgate and name Neil Warnock as replacement|website=Sky Sports}}</ref> Warnock ensured survival from relegation, securing safety on the final day of the season and a 17th-place finish.<ref name="FCHD">{{cite web|url=https://www.fchd.info/MIDDLESB.HTM |title=Middlesbrough FC |website=Football Club History Database |access-date=21 February 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/53412698 |title=Sheffield Wednesday 1–2 Middlesbrough |last=Newsum |first=Matt |website=BBC Sport |date=22 July 2020 |access-date=21 February 2024}}</ref> On 6 November 2021, Middlesbrough parted company with Warnock, who was replaced by [[Chris Wilder]] the following day.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/59192580 |title=Neil Warnock: Middlesbrough part company with veteran manager |work=BBC Sport |date=6 November 2021 |access-date=14 February 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/59197939 |title=Chris Wilder: Middlesbrough appoint ex-Sheff Utd boss to succeed Neil Warnock |website=BBC Sport |date=7 November 2021 |access-date=21 February 2024}}</ref> After 11 months in charge, Wilder was sacked with the club in 22nd position.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/63116336 |title=Chris Wilder: Middlesbrough sack manager with club in Championship bottom three |website=BBC Sport |date=3 October 2022 |access-date=21 February 2024}}</ref>

Former Manchester United midfielder [[Michael Carrick]] was appointed as his successor and led Boro to a fourth-place finish, but lost in the play-off semi-finals against Coventry City.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/63297825 |title=Middlesbrough name former Manchester United midfielder as boss |access-date=30 October 2022|website=BBC Sport}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/65541102 |title=Middlesbrough 0–1 Coventry City (0–1 agg): Sky Blues reach Championship play-off final |last=Newsum |first=Matt |website=BBC Sport |date=17 May 2023 |access-date=21 February 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Johns |first1=Craig |title=Heartbreak for Middlesbrough and Michael Carrick as Coventry City end play-off promotion dreams |url=https://www.gazettelive.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/heartbreak-middlesbrough-michael-carrick-coventry-26936286 |access-date=2 November 2023 |publisher=Teesside Live |date=17 May 2023}}</ref> On 26 May 2023, the club officially became affiliated with the women's team.<ref name="Women's team affiliation">{{cite web|url=https://www.mfc.co.uk/news/2023/may/26/club-welcomes-middlesbrough-fc-women/ |title=Club Welcomes Middlesbrough FC Women |date=26 May 2023 |publisher=Middlesbrough Football Club |access-date=26 May 2023}}</ref> In the [[2023–24 EFL Cup|2023–24]] season, Middlesbrough reached the semi-finals of the League Cup for the first time since 2004.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/67688635 |title=Port Vale 0–3 Middlesbrough: Boro reach Carabao Cup semis with easy victory |last=Scott |first=Ged |website=BBC Sport |date=19 December 2023 |access-date=13 February 2024}}</ref> Despite defeating Chelsea in the first leg, Middlesbrough lost 6–2 on aggregate.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/67989655 |title=Chelsea 6–1 Middlesbrough (Agg 6–2): Blues blow away Boro to reach final |last=Smith |first=Emma |website=BBC Sport |date=23 January 2024 |access-date=13 February 2024}}</ref> Carrick was dismissed in June 2025 with [[Rob Edwards (footballer, born 1982)|Rob Edwards]] replacing him.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://mfc.co.uk//news/2025/june/04/club-statement--michael-carrick/|title=Club Statement: Michael Carrick|date=4 June 2025|publisher=Middlesbrough F.C.|accessdate=31 July 2025}}</ref> However, after a promising start to the season that saw the club enter the automatic promotion spaces, Edwards suddenly left in November 2025 to take the [[Wolverhampton Wanderers F.C.|Wolverhampton Wanderers]] job, just 3 months into the season.

On 24 November 2025 [[Kim Hellberg]] was named as the successor to [[Rob Edwards (footballer, born 1982)|Rob Edwards]]<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.mfc.co.uk/news/2025/november/24/kim-hellberg-appointed-boro-head-coach/ |access-date=24 November 2025 |website=www.mfc.co.uk}}</ref>

==Colours and crest==
{{commons|Middlesbrough F.C. kits}}
{{Football kit box
|align      = left
|pattern_la=
|pattern_b=_collarwithbodywhite
|pattern_ra=
|leftarm=FFFFFF
|body=000080
|rightarm=FFFFFF
|shorts=000080
|socks=000080
|title= Early Middlesbrough F.C. kit<ref name="kits1">{{cite web |url=http://www.kitclassics.co.uk/kits/Middlesbro.gif |title=Middlesbrough F.C. kits |publisher=kitclassics.co.uk |access-date=21 May 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070417060147/http://kitclassics.co.uk/kits/Middlesbro.gif |archive-date=17 April 2007}}</ref>
}}

[[File:Middlesbrough crest old.png|right|thumb|Middlesbrough F.C. crest (1986–2007)|125px]]

Middlesbrough's original home kit upon election to the Football League in 1899 was a white home shirt with red shorts, and they did not adopt their colours of blue and white until later that season.{{failed verification|date=February 2024|reason=where are the 'red shorts'? 1899 has either blue shorts or white shorts in this source. the white shorts have a red shirt too. this sentence and the source do not match.}}<ref name=hist-kit>{{cite news|url=http://www.historicalkits.co.uk/Middlesbrough/Middlesbrough.htm|title=Middlesbrough|publisher=Historical Football Kits|access-date=21 May 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071001124917/http://www.historicalkits.co.uk/Middlesbrough/Middlesbrough.htm|archive-date=1 October 2007|url-status=dead}}</ref> Previous kits included a white shirt with a red and white [[polka dot]]ted collar from around 1889.{{failed verification|date=February 2024|reason=there is no 'red and white polka dotted collar' from anywhere around 1899 in this source.}}<ref name=hist-kit/> The Middlesbrough kit has remained broadly the same since 1899; a red shirt with white detailing, with shorts and socks of either red or white.{{citation needed|date=February 2024}} The distinctive broad white stripe across the chest was introduced by Jack Charlton in 1973 (following an attempt to change the home shirt to a Leeds United-style white shirt), and brought back for a one-off in 1997–98, and, then again, for the 2000–01 and 2004–05 seasons due to popular demand.{{failed verification|date=February 2024|reason=source does not mention Leeds change attempt. source does not mention 'due to popular demand'. Chief Operating Officer is quoted as saying it is 'always the subject of much debate', which does not sound like 'popular demand'. source suggests band was there 'for a further four seasons', so used for longer than 1973. source mentions 'three successive seasons between 2004–07', so where has 2005 come from? source suggests band was revived in 1980s – not mentioned here. this is all completely wrong. unless the source is.}}<ref name="chestband">{{cite news |date=30 December 2007 |url=http://www.mfc.co.uk/page/news/latest/0,,1~1201014,00.html|archive-url=https://archive.today/20140214210647/http://www.mfc.co.uk/page/news/latest/0,,1~1201014,00.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=14 February 2014 |title=Take Part in Boro's Battle of the Band |publisher=Middlesbrough F.C. |access-date=14 February 2014}}</ref> The club subsequently announced in December 2007 that the club would allow fans to decide via an online and text vote whether the white band should return for the [[2008–09 Middlesbrough F.C. season|following season]].{{additional citation needed|date=February 2024|reason=source does not appear to confirm 'December 2007' date.}}<ref name="chestband" /> On 8 January 2008, the club announced that, with 77.4% of voters voting in its favour, the white band would return to the home kit, and that fans would choose the final shirt appearance from a selection of three designs,{{additional citation needed|date=February 2024|reason=source does not appear to confirm '8 January 2008' date.}}<ref name="whiteband">{{cite news |date=8 January 2008 |url=http://www.mfc.co.uk/page/news/latest/0,,1~1209302,00.html|archive-url=https://archive.today/20140214210619/http://www.mfc.co.uk/page/news/latest/0,,1~1209302,00.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=14 February 2014 |title=We're Backing The Band |publisher=Middlesbrough F.C. |access-date=14 February 2014}}</ref> of which the winner was announced on 7 May 2008.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.mfc.co.uk/page/news/latest/0,,1~1307364,00.html |archive-url=https://archive.today/20140214210619/http://www.mfc.co.uk/page/news/latest/0,,1~1307364,00.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=14 February 2014 |title=The Band Is Back! |publisher=Middlesbrough F.C. |date=7 May 2008 |access-date=14 February 2014}}</ref>

The Middlesbrough crest has gone through four changes since the formation of the club. Initially, the badge was simply the town of Middlesbrough's crest with a red lion instead of a blue lion in order to fit in with the club's colours.{{citation needed|date=February 2024}} Following the adoption of the white band on the shirts in 1973, only the red lion remained with the letters "M.F.C" underneath in red.{{citation needed|date=February 2024}} This was further adapted following the reformation of the club in 1986 to a circular crest with the lion in the middle and the words "Middlesbrough Football Club 1986" around the circle in order to reflect this new era.{{failed verification|date=February 2024|reason=this description is not in the source at the end of the next sentence.}} In 2007, Middlesbrough changed their crest again, this time with the lion inside a shield and the words "Middlesbrough Football Club 1876" underneath.{{failed verification|date=February 2024|reason='Middlesbrough' does not appear to be underneath. unless the source is wrong.}}<ref name="newcrest"/> The club's chairman Steve Gibson stated that the intention was to reflect the club's long history and not just their post-liquidation status.<ref name="newcrest"/> On 16 October 2025, Middlesbrough announced a new crest to be used from the 2026–27 season onwards, which will signal a return to the all-familiar roundel shape after 19 years and tie in with the club's 150th anniversary celebrations, hence the special version of the new crest with the 150-year signifier which will also be used during the season. This comes 18 months after these plans were announced.<ref>{{Cite web |date=16 October 2025 |title=Middlesbrough FC's New Crest |url=https://www.mfc.co.uk/news/2025/october/16/middlesbrough-fc-s-new-crest/ |access-date=12 December 2025 |website=www.mfc.co.uk}}</ref>

===Kit information===
[[File:Boro shirts 1994-2010.jpg|right|thumb|Middlesbrough shirts, 1994–2010]]
Middlesbrough's first sponsor in 1980 was [[Datsun]] Cleveland on a two-year deal. Further two-year deals continued until Dickens was the sponsor for the 1994–95 season only. From 1995 to 2002, the club was sponsored by mobile phone service [[Cellnet]], followed by two years with mobile retailer [[Dial-a-Phone]]. Online casino [[888.com]] (2004–07) and satellite navigation company [[Garmin]] (2007–10) followed. In 2010–11, the club had several temporary sponsors including pawnbrokers Ramsdens, who then became permanent sponsors and signed a five-year deal in 2013. At its end, [[32Red]] became the sponsors.{{failed verification|date=February 2024|reason=source states twice that Garmin began sponsoring in 2008, not 2007. who is the missing sponsor?}}<ref>{{cite news |last1=Tallentire |first1=Philip |title=38 years of Middlesbrough shirt sponsors: From Datsun Cleveland to Ramsdens |url=https://www.gazettelive.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/38-years-middlesbrough-shirt-sponsors-14751236 |access-date=2 November 2023 |publisher=Teesside Live |date=13 June 2018}}</ref> Early in Ramsdens' sponsorship in March 2011, the company ceded its advertising space to [[Marie Curie (charity)|Marie Curie Cancer Care]] for two games.<ref>{{cite news |title=Boro sponsors give shirt spot to help charity |url=https://www.gazettelive.co.uk/news/local-news/boro-sponsors-give-shirt-spot-3683650 |access-date=2 November 2023 |publisher=Teesside Live |date=28 February 2011}}</ref>

Italian manufacturers [[Erreà]] made Middlesbrough's kits from 1994 to 2009, when the role was taken up by [[Adidas]], who had previously made the kits from 1979 to 1983.{{failed verification|date=February 2024|reason=source does not mention 1979...}}<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.gazettelive.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/errea-dropped-favour-global-brand-3719674 |title=Errea dropped in favour of global brand adidas |work=Evening Gazette |date=31 March 2009 |access-date=14 February 2014 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140221171136/http://www.gazettelive.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/errea-dropped-favour-global-brand-3719674 | archive-date=21 February 2014 | url-status=live }}</ref> Danish company [[Hummel International|Hummel]], which had made the kits from 1984 to 1987 during the club's winding up and rebirth, secured the contract again in 2018.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Shaw |first1=Dominic |title=Middlesbrough's 2018/19 kits unveiled early by Hummel on brand's website |url=https://www.gazettelive.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/middlesbroughs-201819-kit-unveiled-early-14783901 |access-date=2 November 2023 |publisher=Teesside Live |date=14 June 2018}}</ref> Erreà returned in 2022.<ref>{{cite news |url= https://www.gazettelive.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/middlesbrough-confirm-return-errea-kit-23968138 |title= Middlesbrough confirm the return of Errea as kit manufacturer for next season |work=Evening Gazette |date=16 May 2022 |access-date=16 May 2022 }}</ref>

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;margin-left:1em"
|-
!Period
!Kit manufacturer
!Shirt sponsor
|-
|1976–1977
|[[Bukta]]{{failed verification|date=February 2024|reason=not mentioned in sources above.}}
|rowspan=2|''None''
|-
|1977–1980
|rowspan=3|[[Adidas]]
|-
|1980–1982
|[[Datsun]] Cleveland
|-
|1982–1984
|[[McLean Homes]]
|-
|1984–1986
|rowspan=2|[[Hummel International|Hummel]]
|[[Camerons Brewery|Camerons]]{{clarify|date=February 2024|reason=source https://www.gazettelive.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/38-years-middlesbrough-shirt-sponsors-14751236 states 'alternating with Hansa'.}}
|-
|1986–1987
|rowspan=2|Dickens
|-
|1987–1988
|rowspan=3|Skill{{failed verification|date=February 2024|reason=not mentioned in sources above.}}
|-
|1988–1990
|Heritage Hampers
|-
|1990–1992
|[[Evening Gazette (Teesside)|''Evening Gazette'']]
|-
|1992–1994
|[[Admiral Sportswear|Admiral]]{{failed verification|date=February 2024|reason=not mentioned in sources above.}}
|[[Imperial Chemical Industries|ICI]]
|-
|1994–1995
|rowspan=5|[[Erreà]]
|Dickens
|-
|1995–2002
|[[Cellnet|BT Cellnet]]
|-
|2002–2004
|[[Dial-a-Phone]]
|-
|2004–2007
|[[888.com]]
|-
|2007–2009
|rowspan=2|[[Garmin]]
|-
|2009–2010
|rowspan=3|[[Adidas]]
|-
|2010–2017
|Ramsdens
|-
|2017–2018
|Ramsdens Currency
|-
|2018–2022
|[[Hummel International|Hummel]]
|[[32Red]]
|-
|2022–2025
|[[Erreà]]
|rowspan=2|[[Unibet]]<ref>{{cite news |url= https://www.mfc.co.uk/news/boros-202223-home-shirt-unveiled-pre-order-now |title=Boro's 2022/23 Home Shirt Unveiled – Pre-Order Now |work= Middlesbrough Football Club |date=16 June 2022 |access-date=23 June 2022 }}</ref>
|-
|2025–
|[[Castore]]<ref>{{cite web|title=Castore announced as official technical kit supplier|url=https://www.mfc.co.uk/news/2025/june/09/castore-announced-as-official-technical-kit-supplier|website=Middlesbrough Football Club|access-date=9 June 2025}}</ref>
|}

==Stadiums==
[[File:Riverside Stadium front.jpg|right|thumb|The Riverside Stadium in 2006, with the old gates to Ayresome Park in the foreground]]
{{Main|Ayresome Park|Riverside Stadium}}

After formation in 1876, and with the club still amateurs, Middlesbrough's first two years of football were played at [[Albert Park, Middlesbrough|Albert Park]] in Middlesbrough. After seeing the damage being caused by players and supporters,{{vague|date=February 2024|reason=what 'damage'? litter? riots? breaking the facilities? anything specific?}} the Park Committee ordered the club to find an alternate venue. The club moved to Breckon Hill, behind the former [[Middlesbrough College]] longlands site, after agreeing to rent the land from its owner. However, two years later in 1880, the owner increased the rent and the club decided to move. They moved into the [[Linthorpe Road]] ground in 1882, home at the time of [[Middlesbrough Cricket Club]]. The cricket club departed in 1893–94 to move to the Breckon Hill field, and Middlesbrough Football Club became sole users of the ground.<ref name="GroundsHistory"/>

With the club's growing size, and entry to [[the Football League]], they had to move to a new ground in 1903, [[Ayresome Park]].<ref name="PremierLeagueSite"/> It was designed by [[Archibald Leitch]] and would be the club's home for the next 92 years, having also been chosen as one of the stadia for the [[1966 FIFA World Cup]]. Following the [[Taylor Report]] in 1990, the ground either needed modernising or the club needed a new stadium.{{failed verification|date=February 2024|reason=none of this is mentioned in the source at the end of the next sentence. they could just as easily have been forced to move by the liquidator, which is mentioned.}} The club decided on the latter, and moved out at the end of the 1994–95 season. Ayresome Park was used as a training ground during 1995–96, before it was demolished in 1997 and a housing estate built in its place.{{failed verification|date=February 2024|reason=none of this is mentioned in the source. specifically, its use as a training ground, the demolition that is supposed to have happened in 1997 and the housing estate.}}<ref name="GroundsHistory">{{cite web |url=http://www.mfc.co.uk/page/club/grounds |title=Road to the Riverside |access-date=14 February 2014 |publisher=Middlesbrough F.C. |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131203203725/http://www.mfc.co.uk/page/club/grounds |archive-date=3 December 2013}}</ref> Since the 1990s, the club trains at a £7&nbsp;million complex at [[Rockliffe Park (Hurworth)|Rockliffe Park]], in [[Hurworth-on-Tees|Hurworth]], on the outskirts of [[Darlington]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.mfc.co.uk/page/club/rockliffe-park |title=Rockliffe Park |access-date=14 February 2014 |publisher=Middlesbrough F.C. |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140213133040/http://www.mfc.co.uk/page/club/rockliffe-park |archive-date=13 February 2014}}</ref>

The [[Riverside Stadium]], named by the supporters of the club after a vote, became the club's home in 1995. It was the first stadium to be built in line with the Taylor Report's recommendations on all-seater stadiums for clubs in the top two divisions of the [[English football league system]].<ref name="Riverside Stadium">{{cite web |url=http://www.mfc.co.uk/page/club/stadium-story |title=The Riverside Stadium |access-date=14 February 2014 |publisher=Middlesbrough F.C. |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130902035155/http://www.mfc.co.uk/page/club/stadium-story |archive-date=2 September 2013 }}</ref> It was originally a 30,000-seater stadium, constructed at a cost of £16&nbsp;million,<ref name="RSStadium" /> before it was expanded in 1998 to a capacity of 35,100 for an extra £5&nbsp;million.{{failed verification|date=February 2024|reason=source does not appear to refer to 1998 expansion, a 'capacity of 35,100' or 'an extra £5&nbsp;million'.}}<ref name="RSStadium"/>

Since then, several reorganisations of the Riverside Stadium have taken place. At the start of the 2013–14 season, away fans were moved from behind the goal in the South stand to the South East corner, while home fans were situated behind both goals to help create a better atmosphere inside the stadium. A giant TV screen was also installed at the back of the South-East corner, replacing the older style scoreboards attached to the North and South stand roofs.{{failed verification|date=February 2024|reason=source states they are 'still exploring the possibility' of the TV screen?}}<ref>{{cite news |first=Philip |last=Tallentire |url=http://www.gazettelive.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/reorganisation-riverside-stadium-given-go-ahead-3665502 |title=Reorganisation of Riverside Stadium given go-ahead |work=Gazette Live |date=13 March 2013 |access-date=8 December 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131202222217/http://www.gazettelive.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/reorganisation-riverside-stadium-given-go-ahead-3665502 |archive-date=2 December 2013 |url-status=live}}</ref> For the start of the [[2016–17 Middlesbrough F.C. season|2016–17 season]] (and a return to the Premier League), the club had to improve the stadium's broadcasting facilities and floodlighting in order to meet Premier League requirements.{{clarify|date=February 2024|reason=it is unclear from the source at the end if the floodlighting was 'to meet Premier League requirements'? or just the broadcasting facilities?}} The club also took this opportunity to move the main camera gantry to the back of the East stand, so that it faced the main West stand.{{failed verification|date=February 2024|reason=not in the source?}} As of the 2017–18 season, the stadium capacity is 34,742.{{failed verification|date=February 2024|reason='34,742' is not the number in the source.}}<ref name="Gazette Live Website">{{cite news |url=http://www.gazettelive.co.uk/news/teesside-news/riverside-stadiums-new-capacity-confirmed-13298568 |title=Riverside Stadium's new capacity confirmed after Boro's relegation to Championship |publisher=Gazette Live Website |date=8 July 2017 |access-date=14 July 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170711070245/http://www.gazettelive.co.uk/news/teesside-news/riverside-stadiums-new-capacity-confirmed-13298568 |archive-date=11 July 2017 |url-status=live}}</ref>

==Supporters==
Middlesbrough's average historic attendance is the 16th highest of all the clubs in England and Wales.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://european-football-statistics.co.uk/attnclub/league/midd.htm |title='Middlesbrough FC historic attendances |access-date=15 May 2024 }}</ref>

Traditionally, supporters come from Middlesbrough itself and towns in the immediate area.{{citation needed|date=February 2024}} As of May 2001, Middlesbrough had one of the highest proportions in Britain of locally-born season ticket holders at 80%, and one of the highest proportions of female fans at 20%.{{failed verification|date=February 2024|reason=1 survey from 2001? 'one of the highest proportions of female fans' is not in the source anyway. source states 'The three north-eastern clubs – Newcastle, Sunderland and Middlesbrough – have most, alongside Everton and Aston Villa – all with more than 80%'. so 'at 80%' is not exactly accurate either, even if 1 survey from 2001 is being used.}}<ref name="Football'sRich Pickings">{{cite news |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_prem/1350453.stm |title=Football's Rich Pickings |access-date=23 May 2007 |work=BBC Sport|date=25 May 2001 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120307115316/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/1350453.stm |archive-date=7 March 2012 |url-status=live}}</ref> A survey at the start of the 2007–08 season found Middlesbrough supporters were the seventh-loudest set of fans in the Premier League.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/26102007/58/premier-league-noise-league-table-sunderland-top.html |title=Premier League – Noise League Table |publisher=Yahoo! Sport |date=26 October 2007 |access-date=27 October 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071028091644/http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/26102007/58/premier-league-noise-league-table-sunderland-top.html |archive-date=28 October 2007}}</ref> Middlesbrough Official Supporters Club, which features its own team in the local football league,{{failed verification|date=February 2024|reason=source does not appear to confirm this. a 'charity race night', weekend trips away, meetings on Monday nights... where is the 'team in the local football league'? if it is MSS, that is the south of England, so is misleading.}}<ref name="SupportersClub">{{cite web |url=http://www.mfc.co.uk/page/fans/supporters-clubs |title=Supporters' Clubs |access-date=14 February 2014 |publisher=Middlesbrough F.C. |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131205045541/http://www.mfc.co.uk/page/fans/supporters-clubs |archive-date=5 December 2013}}</ref> has links with supporters' clubs across the globe. The largest supporters' clubs include the Official Supporters' Club, the Middlesbrough Disabled Supporters' Association, Yarm Reds, Red Faction and Middlesbrough Supporters South.{{failed verification|date=February 2024|reason=source does not appear to confirm they are the 'largest'. above them it states 'SEE BELOW FOR MORE SUPPORTERS CLUB BRANCHES'.}}<ref name="SupportersClub" />

For Middlesbrough supporters, their main rivals are [[Newcastle United F.C.|Newcastle United]] (with whom they contest the [[Tyne–Tees derby]]), followed by [[Sunderland A.F.C.|Sunderland]] (with whom they contest the [[Tees–Wear derby]]), and also, according to a planetfootball.com's 2004 survey, [[Leeds United F.C.|Leeds United]].<ref name="fan survey" />

The nickname ''[[Smoggie]]s'' was first used as a derogatory term by opposing supporters;{{synthesis inline|date=February 2024|reason=source does not state it was first used by opposing supporters. source does not state it is 'derogatory' but does say 'It is felt to be both insensitive and intimidating to wear such outfits, particularly in the current international situation' (terrorism).}}<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/2822465.stm |title=Football club bans gas masks |work=BBC News |access-date=26 May 2008 |date=5 March 2003 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051111071633/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/2822465.stm |archive-date=11 November 2005 |url-status=live}}</ref> it relates to the industrial air pollution – smog – that used to hang over the town, but it was later used by Middlesbrough fans in a somewhat self-deprecating manner, before finally being adopted as a badge of pride by supporters of the club.{{vague|date=February 2024|reason='derogatory' or 'self-deprecating'?}}{{citation needed|date=February 2024}} An example of this can be seen on the banners carried to away games stating "Smoggies on Tour".{{failed verification|date=February 2024|reason=where are the 'Smoggies on Tour' banners?}}<ref name="banners">{{cite web |url=http://www.mfc.co.uk/page/fans/flags-and-banners/0,,1~618925,00.html |title=Banners |publisher=Middlesbrough F.C. |access-date=14 February 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110326082920/http://www.mfc.co.uk/page/fans/flags-and-banners/0,,1~618925,00.html |archive-date=26 March 2011}}</ref> Middlesbrough fans received praise from [[UEFA]] Chief Executive [[Lars-Christer Olsson]] after their behaviour during the [[2005–06 UEFA Cup]] campaign.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/sport/7164139._Impeccable__Boro_fans_win_praise/ |title='Impeccable' Boro fans win praise |date=20 May 2006 |access-date=14 February 2014 |work=Northern Echo |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304031235/http://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/sport/7164139._Impeccable__Boro_fans_win_praise/ |archive-date=4 March 2016 |url-status=live}}</ref> He commented that: {{blockquote|You have the satisfaction of knowing that, although your team did not win the game, your supporters present in Eindhoven proved to the world that football fans can turn a match into a friendly, violence-free celebration.}} Middlesbrough fans also received praise from [[Cleveland Police]] for their behaviour in previous rounds, particularly in the light of aggravation prior to and during the match at [[AS Roma|Roma]].<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/tees/4812092.stm |title=Boro fans praised for behaviour |date=16 March 2006 |access-date=31 August 2007 |work=BBC News |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160113012651/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/tees/4812092.stm |archive-date=13 January 2016 |url-status=live}}</ref>

==Media relations==
Middlesbrough was the first football club in the world to launch its own TV channel – Boro TV. The first broadcasts were tied to the club's first ever major cup final appearance in 1997, a full year ahead of Manchester United's MUTV, which still claims to be the first in the world.{{clarify|date=February 2024|reason=when is 'still'? the source mentions MUTV, but where is this claim in the source? and 'a full year'? source is from March and mentions MUTV 'kick off' that August.}} The channel was the brainchild of then NTL marketing director, Peter Wilcock.{{failed verification|date=February 2024|reason=is Wilcock mentioned in the source?}} The programme became synonymous with former Middlesbrough player Bernie Slaven and radio commentator Alastair Brownlee, who proved to be as popular on TV as they were on radio.{{synthesis inline|date=February 2024|reason='who proved to be as popular on TV as they were on radio'? 'became synonymous with'? after only 5 weeks?}}<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football-television-the-new-slaven-trade-1153259.html |title=Football: Television the new Slaven trade |website=[[Independent.co.uk]] |date=29 March 1998|access-date=4 December 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170930175423/https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football-television-the-new-slaven-trade-1153259.html|archive-date=30 September 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> Its programmes were not live initially but were pre-recorded and hosted by local radio/TV broadcaster & Boro fan, [[Dave Roberts (sports broadcaster)|Dave Roberts]].{{citation needed|date=February 2024}} In August 2001, Boro TV claimed another first when it became the first English football club to broadcast time-delayed full-match footage of their league games on its own channel.{{clarify|date=February 2024|reason=is first club from England mentioned in the source? it is also dated 27 September?}}<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.sportbusiness.com/news/100145/boro-first-to-take-advantage-of-new-tv-rights-regulations |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120817200017/http://www.sportbusiness.com/news/100145/boro-first-to-take-advantage-of-new-tv-rights-regulations |archive-date=17 August 2012 |title=Boro first to take advantage of new TV rights regulations |access-date=31 August 2007 |date=31 August 2001 |publisher=sportbusiness.com}}</ref> Boro TV ran through [[Virgin Media|NTL]] cable television until July 2005.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/m/middlesbrough/4641295.stm |title=Boro television channel to close |date=1 July 2005 |access-date=31 August 2007 |work=BBC Sport |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160113012652/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/m/middlesbrough/4641295.stm |archive-date=13 January 2016 |url-status=live}}</ref> The club then began to show match highlights through a subscription-based scheme on its official website.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.mfc.co.uk |title=Official website |publisher=Middlesbrough F.C. |access-date=31 August 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080907103650/http://mfc.co.uk/ |archive-date=7 September 2008 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

Middlesbrough's official [[matchday programme]], ''Redsquare'', was ''Programme Monthly's'' 2006–07 Programme of the Year.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.gazettelive.co.uk/boro-fc/boro-fc-news/tm_headline=we-ll-be-spot-on&method=full&objectid=18751361&siteid=109975-name_page.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101107032332/http://www.gazettelive.co.uk/boro-fc/boro-fc-news/tm_headline%3Dwe-ll-be-spot-on%26method%3Dfull%26objectid%3D18751361%26siteid%3D109975-name_page.html |archive-date=7 November 2010 |title=Success is taken as read (section title) |date=14 March 2007 |access-date=10 October 2008 |work=Evening Gazette |url-status=dead }}</ref> There are numerous other [[fanzine]]s available, most notably ''Fly Me to the Moon'', formed in September 1988 following [[Bruce Rioch]]'s quote to [[Tony Mowbray]], stating "If I had to go to the [[moon]] I'd want him by my side".<ref>{{cite news |last1=Johns |first1=Craig |title=Boro fanzine Fly Me To The Moon overcame many challenges to celebrate 35 years |url=https://www.gazettelive.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/middlesbrough-fanzine-fly-moon-overcame-28149576 |access-date=1 September 2025 |work=[[Teesside Live]] |date=22 November 2023 }}</ref> In 2025, it became the football fanzine with the most issues, overtaking previous record holders [[The Oatcake|''Oatcake'' from Stoke]], which stopped printing in 2019.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Johns |first1=Craig |title=Pride for popular Boro fanzine Fly Me To The Moon as they become record holders |url=https://www.gazettelive.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/pride-popular-middlesbrough-fanzine-fly-32303651 |access-date=1 September 2025 |work=[[Teesside Live]] |date=25 August 2025 }}</ref>

==Community==
'''Middlesbrough Football Club in the Community''' (MFCIC) was founded in 1996 by club chairman [[Steve Gibson (businessman)|Steve Gibson]]{{failed verification|date=February 2024|reason=1996 is not the year in the source.}}<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.mfc.co.uk/page/news/latest/0,,1~3107912,00.html |title=MFC Foundation Launched |access-date=14 February 2014 |publisher=Middlesbrough F.C. |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131211062304/http://www.mfc.co.uk/page/news/latest/0,,1~3107912,00.html |archive-date=11 December 2013}}</ref> and is one of the largest community-based football schemes in the United Kingdom.{{primary source inline|date=February 2024|reason=this claim is sourced to the club website?}}<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.mfc.co.uk/page/news/latest/0,,1~1168641,00.html |archive-url=https://archive.today/20140214234345/http://www.mfc.co.uk/page/news/latest/0,,1~1168641,00.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=14 February 2014 |title=Blair Praises Community Role |publisher=Middlesbrough F.C. |access-date=14 February 2014}}</ref> It is run separately from the football club, but receives support from both the club in terms of providing players, staff, stadium facilities and [[Public relations|PR]] for articles in the matchday programme and other publications, as well as support from other local organisations.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.mfcic.co.uk/mfcic/corporate/funders_and_sponsors.html |title=Funders and Sponsors |access-date=10 December 2007 |publisher=mfcic.co.uk |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070519202346/http://www.mfcic.co.uk/mfcic/corporate/funders_and_sponsors.html |archive-date=19 May 2007}}</ref> In 2012, MFCIC was relaunched as MFC Foundation.{{citation needed|date=February 2024}} The Foundation aims to use the club's profile to deliver sport, health, education and inclusion projects in vulnerable and disadvantaged communities across Teesside.{{citation needed|date=February 2024}} Since 1996, the Foundation has delivered 20,000 qualifications, engaged over 500,000 people and invested £25 million in local communities to tackle inequality and disadvantage.

Since 2002, the club and MFCIC have also run the Middlesbrough Enterprise Academy, a scheme which helps local children. In March 2008, plans were announced by the Premier League to roll out the scheme nationally amongst all Premier League clubs.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.mfc.co.uk/page/news/latest/0,,1~1264934,00.html |archive-url=https://archive.today/20140214234312/http://www.mfc.co.uk/page/news/latest/0,,1~1264934,00.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=14 February 2014 |title=Boro Inspire Enterprise Push |publisher=Middlesbrough F.C. |date=14 March 2008 |access-date=14 February 2014}}</ref>

It was announced in December 2007 that Middlesbrough football club had carried out more community work during [[2006–07 in English football|2006–07]] than any other [[Premier League]] club, rising from second place the previous year, with the club making 318 appearances – almost twice the Premier League average of 162.{{failed verification|date=January 2024|reason='rising from second place the previous year'?}}<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.gazettelive.co.uk/news/local-news/boro-are-charity-champs-3737289 |title=Boro are charity champs |work=Evening Gazette |date=10 December 2007 |access-date=14 February 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140221171236/http://www.gazettelive.co.uk/news/local-news/boro-are-charity-champs-3737289 |archive-date=21 February 2014 |url-status=live}}</ref> They were in the top two for community appearances again in 2007–08, with 374 – a 17% increase on the previous season.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.mfc.premiumtv.co.uk/page/News/ClubNewsDetail/0,,1~1499019,00.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090418013932/http://www.mfc.premiumtv.co.uk/page/News/ClubNewsDetail/0%2C%2C1~1499019%2C00.html |archive-date=18 April 2009 |title=Boro Heroes Star in the Community |publisher=Middlesbrough F.C. |date=24 December 2008 |access-date=24 December 2008 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

Middlesbrough's mascot is Roary the Lion. The club runs Roary's Children's Charity Fund, which purchases items for local children's charities.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.mfc.premiumtv.co.uk/page/News/ClubNewsDetail/0,,1~586586,00.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090303052041/http://www.mfc.premiumtv.co.uk/page/News/ClubNewsDetail/0%2C%2C1~586586%2C00.html |archive-date=3 March 2009 |title=Boro's Annual Charter Report |access-date=26 January 2008 |publisher=Middlesbrough F.C. |url-status=dead }}</ref>

In 2009, steel producer [[Corus Group]] announced the possibility that it would mothball its Teesside plant after a consortium of steel magnates walked away from a 10-year deal. Middlesbrough Football Club helped with the "Save Our Steel" campaign through various methods.<ref name="SaveOurSteel1"/> Chairman Steve Gibson said:

{{Blockquote|"Middlesbrough Football Club exists for the community, for the people of Teesside—and the closure of the steel plants threatens to rip the heart out of our community. We cannot stand by and allow that to happen. We want the steelworkers and their families to know that we are behind them and will help their campaign in any way we can ... We like to think that the football club is the flagship of Teesside. Well this is our town and these are our people and we have to do what we can to help them."<ref name="SaveOurSteel1">{{cite news |url=http://www.mfc.co.uk/page/news/latest/0,,1~1798024,00.html |archive-url=https://archive.today/20140214234309/http://www.mfc.co.uk/page/news/latest/0,,1~1798024,00.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=14 February 2014 |title=Boro's Steel Fight Goes On |publisher=Middlesbrough F.C. |date=16 September 2009 |access-date=14 February 2014}}</ref>}}

===European Football===
{{Main|Middlesbrough F.C. in European football}}

{| class="wikitable"
|-
!colspan="9"|'''Middlesbrough in Europe'''
|-
! Season
! Competition
! Round
! Country
! Club
! Home
! Away
! Aggregate
|-
| rowspan=7; style="text-align:center;"|[[2004–05 UEFA Cup|2004–05]]
| rowspan=7; style="text-align:center;"|[[UEFA Europa League|UEFA Cup]]
| First round
| style="text-align:center;"|{{flagicon|Czechia}}
| [[FC Baník Ostrava|Baník Ostrava]]
| style="text-align:center; background:#dfd;"| 3–0
| style="text-align:center; background:#ffd;"| 1–1
| style="text-align:center; background:#dfd;"|'''4–1'''
|-
| rowspan=4|Group E
| style="text-align:center;"|{{flagicon|Greece}}
| [[Egaleo F.C.|Egaleo]]
| style="text-align:center;" {{n/a}}
| style="text-align:center; background:#dfd;"| 0–1
| rowspan=4; style="text-align:center; background:#dfd;"| '''1st'''
|-
| style="text-align:center;"|{{flagicon|Italy}}
| [[S.S. Lazio|Lazio]]
| style="text-align:center; background:#dfd;"| 2–0
| style="text-align:center;" {{n/a}}
|-
| style="text-align:center;"|{{flagicon|Spain}}
| [[Villarreal CF|Villarreal]]
| style="text-align:center;" {{n/a}}
| style="text-align:center; background:#fdd;"| 0–2
|-
| style="text-align:center;"|{{flagicon|Serbia}}
| [[FK Partizan|Partizan Belgrade]]
| style="text-align:center; background:#dfd;"| 3–0
| style="text-align:center;" {{n/a}}
|-
| Round of 32
| style="text-align:center;"|{{flagicon|Austria}}
| [[Grazer AK|GAK]]
| style="text-align:center; background:#dfd;"| 2–1
| style="text-align:center; background:#ffd;"| 2–2
| style="text-align:center; background:#dfd;"|'''4–3'''
|-
| Round of 16
| style="text-align:center;"|{{flagicon|Portugal}}
| [[Sporting CP|Sporting Lisbon]]
| style="text-align:center; background:#fdd;"| 2–3
| style="text-align:center; background:#fdd;"| 0–1
| style="text-align:center; background:#fdd;"|'''2–4'''
|-
| rowspan=10; style="text-align:center;"|[[2005–06 UEFA Cup|2005–06]]
| rowspan=10; style="text-align:center;"|[[UEFA Europa League|UEFA Cup]]
| First round
| style="text-align:center;"|{{flagicon|Greece}}
| [[Xanthi F.C.|Skoda Xanthi]]
| style="text-align:center; background:#dfd;"| 2–0
| style="text-align:center; background:#ffd;"| 0–0
| style="text-align:center; background:#dfd;"|'''2–0'''
|-
| rowspan=4|Group D
| style="text-align:center;"|{{flagicon|Switzerland}}
| [[Grasshopper Club Zürich|Grasshoppers Zürich]]
| style="text-align:center;" {{n/a}}
| style="text-align:center; background:#dfd;"| 0–1
| rowspan=4; style="text-align:center; background:#dfd;"| '''1st'''
|-
| style="text-align:center;"|{{flagicon|Ukraine}}
| [[FC Dnipro|Dnipro Dnipropetrovsk]]
| style="text-align:center; background:#dfd;"| 3–0
| style="text-align:center;" {{n/a}}
|-
| style="text-align:center;"|{{flagicon|Netherlands}}
| [[AZ Alkmaar]]
| style="text-align:center;" {{n/a}}
| style="text-align:center; background:#ffd;"| 0–0
|-
| style="text-align:center;"|{{flagicon|Bulgaria}}
| [[PFC Litex Lovech|Litex Lovech]]
| style="text-align:center; background:#dfd;"| 2–0
| style="text-align:center;" {{n/a}}
|-
| Round of 32
| style="text-align:center;"|{{flagicon|Germany}}
| [[VfB Stuttgart|Stuttgart]]
| style="text-align:center; background:#fdd;"| 0–1
| style="text-align:center; background:#dfd;"| 2–1
| style="text-align:center; background:#dfd;"|'''2–2[[away goals rule|a]]'''
|-
| Round of 16
| style="text-align:center;"|{{flagicon|Italy}}
| [[A.S. Roma|Roma]]
| style="text-align:center; background:#dfd;"| 1–0
| style="text-align:center; background:#fdd;"| 1–2
| style="text-align:center; background:#dfd;"|'''2–2[[away goals rule|a]]'''
|-
| Quarter-final
| style="text-align:center;"|{{flagicon|Switzerland}}
| [[FC Basel|Basel]]
| style="text-align:center; background:#dfd;"| 4–1
| style="text-align:center; background:#fdd;"| 0–2
| style="text-align:center; background:#dfd;"|'''4–3'''
|-
| Semi-final
| style="text-align:center;"|{{flagicon|Romania}}
| [[FCSB|Steaua Bucharest]]
| style="text-align:center; background:#dfd;"| 4–2
| style="text-align:center; background:#fdd;"| 0–1
| style="text-align:center; background:#dfd;"|'''4–3'''
|-
| [[2006 UEFA Cup final|Final]]
| style="text-align:center;"|{{flagicon|Spain}}
| [[Sevilla FC|Sevilla]]
| colspan="3" style="text-align:center; background:#fdd;"| 0–4
|}

==Non-playing staff==
{{updated|24 October 2022}}<ref>{{cite web |title=Who's who |url=https://www.mfc.co.uk/club-2/whos-who |access-date=21 July 2022}}</ref>

===Corporate hierarchy===
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:left;"
|-
! style="width:150px;" | Position
! style="width:140px;" | Name
|-
|Chairman || [[Steve Gibson (businessman)|Steve Gibson]]
|-
|Chief Executive ||  Neil Bausor
|-
|Head of Football ||  Kieran Scott
|-
|Club Secretary || Karen Nelson
|}

===Coaching staff===
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:left;"
|-
! style="width:150px;" | Position 
! style="width:140px;" | Name
|-
| Head coach
| {{flagicon|SWE}} [[Kim Hellberg]]
|-
| Assistant head coach
| {{flagicon|SWE}} David Selini <br/> {{flagicon|ENG}} [[Adi Viveash]]<br/>{{flagicon|SWE}} [[Anes Mravac]]
|-
| Goalkeeping coach
| {{flagicon|SWE}} Linus Kandolin
|-
| Individual development coach 
| {{flagicon|ENG}} [[Grant Leadbitter]]
|-
| Fitness coach
| {{flagicon|ENG}} Nick Allamby
|-
| Performance analyst
| {{flagicon|ENG}} Phill Hudson
|-
| Head physiotherapist
| {{flagicon|ENG}} Adam Reed
|-
| Chief medical officer
| {{flagicon|ENG}} Rob Tatham
|-
| Physician
| {{flagicon|ENG}} Dr. Bryan English
|-
| Sports scientist
| {{flagicon|ENG}} Frankie Hunter
|-
| Kit man
| {{flagicon|ENG}} Peter Darke
|}

===Academy coaching staff===
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:left;"
|-
! style="width:150px;" | Position 
! style="width:140px;" | Name
|-
|Academy Manager               || {{flagicon|ENG}} [[Craig Liddle]]
|-
| Head of Player Pathway and Development
| {{flagicon|URU}} [[Leo Percovich]]
|-
|Professional Development Phase Coach (U21s)       ||{{flagicon|ENG}}  [[Mark Tinkler]]
|-
|Professional Development Phase Coach (U18s) ||{{flagicon|ENG}} James Marwood<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.mfc.co.uk/news/2023/july/10/marwood-takes-on-u18s-role/ | title=Marwood Takes on U18s Role | date=10 July 2023 }}</ref>
|-
|Academy Goalkeeping Coach       ||{{flagicon|ENG}} Chris Pennock
|-
|Head of Academy Recruitment     ||{{flagicon|ENG}} Martin Carter
|-
|Head of Education and Welfare ||{{flagicon|ENG}} Barry Dawson
|-
|}

===Managerial history===
{{Further|List of Middlesbrough F.C. managers}}
The following are all the full-time Middlesbrough managers since the club turned professional in 1899.{{failed verification|date=February 2024|reason=2 dead links. even if found, other sources needed for anything later than 2019 Woodgate appointment.}}<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.mfc.co.uk/club-community/club/mfc-history/boros-bosses|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190523204037/https://www.mfc.co.uk/club-community/club/mfc-history/boros-bosses|url-status=dead|archive-date=23 May 2019|title=Boro's Bosses|publisher=Middlesbrough F.C.|access-date=14 June 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.mfc.co.uk/news/watch-jonathan-woodgate-unveiled-as-boro-head-coach|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190823223044/https://www.mfc.co.uk/news/watch-jonathan-woodgate-unveiled-as-boro-head-coach|url-status=dead|archive-date=23 August 2019|title=WATCH: Jonathan Woodgate Unveiled As Boro Head Coach|publisher=Middlesbrough F.C.|date=14 June 2019|access-date=14 June 2019}}</ref>
{|
|-
|valign="top"|
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:left;"
|-
!  style="background:#aad0ff"|Dates
!  style="background:#aad0ff"|Manager(s)
|-
| 1900–1905 || [[Jack Robson (football manager)|Jack Robson]]
|-
| 1905–1906 || [[Alex Mackie]]
|-
| 1906–1909 || [[Andy Aitken (footballer born 1877)|Andy Aitken]]
|-
| 1909–1910 || [[John Gunter (football manager)|John Gunter]]
|-
| 1910–1911 || [[Andy Walker (football manager)|Andy Walker]]
|-
| 1911–1919 || [[Thomas H. McIntosh|Tom McIntosh]]
|-
| 1920–1923 || [[James Howie (footballer)|Jimmy Howie]]
|-
| 1923–1926 || [[Herbert Bamlett]]
|-
| 1927–1934 || [[Peter McWilliam]]
|-
| 1934–1944 || [[Wilf Gillow]]
|-
| 1944–1952 || [[David Jack (footballer)|David Jack]]
|-
| 1952–1954 || [[Walter Rowley]]
|-
| 1954–1963 || [[Bob Dennison (footballer, born 1912)|Bob Dennison]]
|-
| 1963–1966 || [[Raich Carter]]
|-
| 1966–1973 || [[Stan Anderson]]
|-
| 1973–1977 || [[Jack Charlton]]
|-
| 1977–1981 || [[John Neal (footballer, born 1932)|John Neal]]
|-
| 1981–1982 || [[Bobby Murdoch]]
|-
|}
|width="5"|&nbsp;
|valign="top"|
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:left;"
|-
!  style="background:#aad0ff"|Dates
!  style="background:#aad0ff"|Manager(s)
|-
| 1982–1984 || [[Malcolm Allison]]
|-
| 1984    || [[Jack Charlton]]
|-
| 1984–1986 || [[Willie Maddren]]
|-
| 1986–1990 || [[Bruce Rioch]]
|-
| 1990–1991 || [[Colin Todd]]
|-
| 1991–1994 || [[Lennie Lawrence]]
|-
| 1994–2001 || [[Bryan Robson]]
|-
| 2000–2001 || [[Terry Venables]]
|-
| 2001–2006 || [[Steve McClaren]]
|-
| 2006–2009 || [[Gareth Southgate]]
|-
| 2009–2010 || [[Gordon Strachan]]
|-
| 2010–2013 || [[Tony Mowbray]]
|-
| 2013–2017|| [[Aitor Karanka]]
|-
| 2017 || [[Garry Monk]]
|-
| 2017–2019 || [[Tony Pulis]]
|-
| 2019–2020 || [[Jonathan Woodgate]]
|-
| 2020–2021|| [[Neil Warnock]]
|-
| 2021–2022 || [[Chris Wilder]]
|-
|}
|width="5"|&nbsp;
|valign="top"|
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:left;"
|-
!  style="background:#aad0ff"|Dates
!  style="background:#aad0ff"|Manager(s)
|-
| 2022–2025 || [[Michael Carrick]]
|-
| 2025 || [[Rob Edwards (footballer, born 1982)|Rob Edwards]]
|-
| 2025– || [[Kim Hellberg]]
|}
|}

==Players==
===Current squad===
{{updated|1 September 2025}}<ref>{{cite web |title=Club Confirm Retained List |url= https://www.mfc.co.uk/news/2025/may/16/club-confirm-retained-list/ |access-date= 29 July 2025 |website=News – Middlesbrough FC |date= 16 May 2025 }}</ref>
{{Fs start}}
{{Fs player|no=1|nat=SEN|pos=GK|name=[[Seny Dieng]]}}
{{fs player|no=2|nat=ENG|pos=DF|name=[[Callum Brittain]]}}
{{fs player|no=3|nat=ENG|pos=DF|name=[[Matt Targett]]|other=on loan from [[Newcastle United F.C.|Newcastle United]]}}
{{Fs player|no=5|nat=CAN|pos=DF|name=[[Alfie Jones]]}}
{{Fs player|no=6|nat=ENG|pos=DF|name=[[Dael Fry]]|other=[[Captain (association football)|captain]]}}
{{Fs player|no=7|nat=ENG|pos=MF|name=[[Hayden Hackney]]}}
{{Fs player|no=8|nat=AUS|pos=MF|name=[[Riley McGree]]}}
{{Fs player|no=9|nat=SCO|pos=FW|name=[[Tommy Conway]]}}
{{Fs player|no=10|nat=SUR|pos=MF|name=[[Delano Burgzorg]]}}
{{Fs player|no=11|nat=ENG|pos=FW|name=[[Morgan Whittaker]]}}
{{Fs player|no=12|nat=ENG|pos=DF|name=[[Luke Ayling]]}}
{{Fs player|no=13|nat=SVK|pos=FW|name=[[David Strelec]]}}
{{Fs player|no=14|nat=IRL|pos=FW|name=[[Alex Gilbert (footballer)|Alex Gilbert]]}}
{{fs player|no=16|nat=IRL|pos=MF|name=[[Alan Browne (footballer)|Alan Browne]]|other=on loan from [[Sunderland F.C.|Sunderland]]}}
{{Fs player|no=17|nat=ENG|pos=MF|name=[[Micah Hamilton]]}}
{{Fs mid}}
{{Fs player|no=18|nat=USA|pos=MF|name=[[Aidan Morris]]}}
{{fs player|no=19|nat=NOR|pos=MF|name=[[Sverre Nypan]]|other=on loan from [[Manchester City F.C.|Manchester City]]}}
{{Fs player|no=20|nat=SEN|pos=FW|name=[[Kaly Sène]]}}
{{fs player|no=22|nat=AUS|pos=MF|name=[[Samuel Silvera]]}}
{{Fs player|no=24|nat=SLE|pos=DF|name=[[Alex Bangura]]}}
{{Fs player|no=25|nat=ENG|pos=DF|name=[[George Edmundson (footballer)|George Edmundson]]}}
{{Fs player|no=26|nat=IRL|pos=DF|name=[[Darragh Lenihan]]}}
{{fs player|no=27|nat=CUW|pos=FW|name=[[Sontje Hansen]]}}
{{Fs player|no=31|nat=ENG|pos=GK|name=[[Sol Brynn]]}}
{{Fs player|no=33|nat=SCO|pos=GK|name=[[Jon McLaughlin (footballer)|Jon McLaughlin]]}}
{{Fs player|no=39|nat=ENG|pos=FW|name=[[Sonny Finch]]}}
{{Fs player|no=40|nat=ENG|pos=DF|name=[[George McCormick (footballer)|George McCormick]]}}
{{Fs player|no=41|nat=SCO|pos=GK|name=Shea Connor}}
{{fs player|no=42|nat=CIV|pos=MF|name=[[Abdoulaye_Kanté (footballer, born 2005)|Abdoulaye Kanté]]}}
{{Fs end}}

====Out on loan====
{{fs start}}
{{Fs player|no=4|nat=ENG|pos=MF|name=[[Daniel Barlaser]]|other=at [[Hibernian F.C.|Hibernian]] until 30 June 2026}}
{{Fs player|no=21|nat=FIN|pos=FW|name=[[Marcus Forss]]|other=at [[Bolton Wanderers F.C.|Bolton Wanderers]] until 30 June 2026}}
{{Fs player|no=28|nat=ENG|pos=MF|name=[[Law McCabe]]|other=at [[Plymouth Argyle F.C.|Plymouth Argyle]] until 30 June 2026}}
{{fs mid}}
{{Fs player|no=30|nat=BRA|pos=DF|name=[[Neto Borges]]|other=at [[Bristol City F.C.|Bristol City]] until 30 June 2026}}
{{fs player|no=|nat=DEN|pos=DF|name=[[Lukas Engel]]|other=at [[FC Cincinnati]] until 31 December 2025}}
{{fs player|no=|nat=FRA|pos=DF|name=[[Adilson Malanda]]|other=at [[Charlotte FC]] until 30 June 2026}}
{{fs end}}

===Reserves and Academy===
{{For|the team's reserve and Academy squads|Middlesbrough F.C. Under-21s and Academy}}

==Notable players==
<!--{{main|List of Middlesbrough F.C. players}}-->
<!--For all players with over 100 appearances for Middlesbrough, see [[List of Middlesbrough F.C. players]].-->

===Middlesbrough Legends===
These 10 players were voted for by fans as part of a campaign with the ''[[Evening Gazette (Teesside)|Evening Gazette]]''.<ref name="Boro Legends">{{cite news |url=http://www.gazettelive.co.uk/boro-fc/boro-legends/ |title=Boro Legends |date=13 August 2007 |access-date=1 August 2009 |work=Evening Gazette |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080123154521/http://www.gazettelive.co.uk/boro-fc/boro-legends/ |archive-date=23 January 2008}}</ref>
<!--Please note: this is a specific group of ten players, as listed in the linked Evening Gazette article, and should not be changed. It contains only these: Camsell, Hardwick, Mannion, Clough, Hickton, Maddren, Mowbray, Slaven, Juninho and Southgate.-->
{{div col|colwidth=20em}}
*{{flagicon|ENG}} [[George Camsell]]
*{{flagicon|ENG}} [[George Hardwick]]
*{{flagicon|ENG}} [[Wilf Mannion]]
*{{flagicon|ENG}} [[Brian Clough]]
*{{flagicon|ENG}} [[John Hickton]]
*{{flagicon|ENG}} [[Willie Maddren]]
*{{flagicon|ENG}} [[Tony Mowbray]]
*{{flagicon|IRL}} [[Bernie Slaven]]
*{{flagicon|BRA}} [[Juninho Paulista|Juninho]]
*{{flagicon|ENG}} [[Gareth Southgate]]
{{div col end}}

===Top appearances===
{{Further|List of Middlesbrough F.C. records and statistics#Appearances}}
These players made more than 430 appearances during their time at the club. The number in brackets indicates the number of appearances in all competitions.<ref name="TopApps">{{cite book |last1=Rollin |first1=Glenda |last2=Rollin |first2=Jack |name-list-style=amp |title=Sky Sports Football Yearbook 2006–2007 |publisher=Headline |year=2006 |isbn=0-7553-1526-X}}</ref>
{{div col|colwidth=20em}}
* [[Tim Williamson]] ''(602)''
* [[Gordon Jones (footballer born 1943)|Gordon Jones]] ''(532)''
* [[John Hickton]] ''(499)''
* [[John Craggs (footballer)|John Craggs]] ''(487)''
* [[Jim Platt]] ''(481)''
* [[George Camsell]] ''(453)''
* [[Jackie Carr (footballer born 1892)|Jacky Carr]] ''(449)''
* [[Mark Schwarzer]] ''(446)''
* [[David Armstrong (English footballer)|David Armstrong]] ''(431)''
{{div col end}}

===Top goalscorers===
{{Further|List of Middlesbrough F.C. records and statistics#Goalscorers}}
These players scored more than 140 goals during their time with the club. The number in brackets indicates the number of goals scored in all competitions.<ref name="TopApps"/>
{{div col|colwidth=20em}}
* [[George Camsell]] ''(345)''
* [[George Elliott (English footballer)|George Elliott]] ''(213)''
* [[Brian Clough]] ''(204)''
* [[John Hickton]] ''(193)''
* [[Micky Fenton]] ''(162)''
* [[Bernie Slaven]] ''(146)''
* [[Alan Peacock]] ''(141)''
{{div col end}}

===Player of the Year award winners===
{{More citations needed section|date=February 2024}}
{|
|-
|valign="top"|
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Year
! Winner
|-
|1966||{{fbaicon|England}} [[Gordon Jones (footballer, born 1943)|Gordon Jones]]
|-
|1968||{{fbaicon|England}} [[Dickie Rooks]]
|-
|1969||{{fbaicon|England}} [[Dickie Rooks]]
|-
|1970||{{fbaicon|England}} [[George Smith (footballer, born 1945)|George Smith]]
|-
|1971||{{fbaicon|England}} [[Gordon Jones (footballer, born 1943)|Gordon Jones]]
|-
|1972||{{fbaicon|Northern Ireland}} [[Jim Platt]] and {{fbaicon|England}} [[Stuart Boam]]
|-
|1973||{{fbaicon|England}} [[Willie Maddren]]
|-
|1974||{{fbaicon|Scotland}} [[Graeme Souness]]
|-
|1978||{{fbaicon|England}} [[Stan Cummins]]
|-
|1979||{{fbaicon|England}} [[Stuart Boam]]
|-
|1980||{{fbaicon|England}} [[David Armstrong (footballer, born 1954)|David Armstrong]]
|-
|1981||{{fbaicon|Northern Ireland}} [[Jim Platt]]
|}
|width="1"|&nbsp;
|valign="top"|
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Year
! Winner
|-
|1985||{{fbaicon|England}} [[Tony Mowbray]]
|-
|1986||{{fbaicon|England}} [[Tony Mowbray]]
|-
|1991||{{fbaicon|England}} [[Ian Baird]]
|-
|1997||{{fbaicon|Brazil}} [[Juninho Paulista|Juninho]]
|-
|1999||{{fbaicon|Colombia}} [[Hámilton Ricard]]
|-
|2001||{{fbaicon|Croatia}} [[Alen Bokšić]]
|-
|2002||{{fbaicon|England}} [[Gareth Southgate]]
|-
|2004||{{fbaicon|Netherlands}} [[George Boateng]]
|-
|2005||{{fbaicon|England}} [[Stewart Downing]]
|-
|2006||{{fbaicon|Nigeria}} [[Yakubu (footballer)|Yakubu]]
|-
|2007||{{fbaicon|England}} [[Jonathan Woodgate]]
|-
|2008||{{fbaicon|England}} [[David Wheater]]
|}
|width="1"|&nbsp;
|valign="top"|
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Year
! Winner
|-
|2009||{{fbaicon|Turkey}} [[Tuncay Şanlı]]
|-
|2010||{{fbaicon|Scotland}} [[Barry Robson]]
|-
|2011||{{fbaicon|England}} [[Joe Bennett (footballer)|Joe Bennett]]
|-
|2012||{{fbaicon|Scotland}} [[Barry Robson]]
|-
|2013||{{fbaicon|England}} [[Jason Steele (footballer)|Jason Steele]]
|-
|2014||{{fbaicon|England}} [[George Friend]]
|-
|2015||{{fbaicon|England}} [[George Friend]]
|-
|2016||{{fbaicon|England}} [[Adam Clayton (footballer)|Adam Clayton]]
|-
|2017||{{fbaicon|England}} [[Ben Gibson]]
|-
|2018||{{fbaicon|Spain}} [[Adama Traoré (footballer, born 1996)|Adama Traoré]]
|-
|2019||{{fbaicon|Republic of Ireland}} [[Darren Randolph]]
|-
|2020||{{fbaicon|England}} [[Jonny Howson]]
|}
|width="1"|&nbsp;
|valign="top"|
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Year
! Winner
|-
|2021||{{fbaicon|Northern Ireland}} [[Paddy McNair]]
|-
|2022||{{fbaicon|England}} [[Jonny Howson]]
|-
|2023
|{{fbaicon|England}} [[Chuba Akpom]]
|-
|2024||{{fbaicon|Netherlands}} [[Rav van den Berg]]
|-
|2025||{{fbaicon|England}} [[Hayden Hackney]]
|}
|}

===Football League 100 Legends===
The [[Football League 100 Legends]] is a list of 100 legendary [[association football|football]] players produced by [[The Football League]] in 1998, to celebrate the 100th season of League football.<ref name="FL100">{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sport/football/144986.stm |title=Sport: Football Legends list in full |work=BBC Sport |date=5 August 1998 |access-date=31 August 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160112220804/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sport/football/144986.stm |archive-date=12 January 2016 |url-status=live}}</ref>
[[File:Alf Common.jpg|thumbnail|[[Alf Common]], the first player to command a £1000 transfer fee]]
{{div col|colwidth=20em}}
* [[Alf Common]]
* [[George Camsell]]
* [[Steve Bloomer]]
* [[Wilf Mannion]]
* [[George Hardwick]]
* [[Nobby Stiles]]
* [[Graeme Souness]]
* [[Bryan Robson]]
* [[Paul Gascoigne]]
{{div col end}}

===English Football Hall of Fame===
The [[English Football Hall of Fame]] is housed at the [[National Football Museum]] in Manchester, England. The Hall aims to celebrate and highlight the achievements of top English footballers and footballers who have played in England. These players appeared for or managed Middlesbrough at some point in their careers.<ref name="FLHOF">{{cite web |title=Hall of Fame |url=https://nationalfootballmuseum.com/hall-of-fame/ |access-date=15 November 2025 |website=National Football Museum }}</ref>
{{div col|colwidth=20em}}
* [[Brian Clough]] ''(2002 inductee)''
* [[Paul Gascoigne]] ''(2002 inductee)''
* [[Bryan Robson]] ''(2002 inductee)''
* [[Viv Anderson]] ''(2004 inductee)''
* [[Wilf Mannion]] ''(2004 inductee)''
* [[Jack Charlton]] ''(2005 inductee)''
* [[Graeme Souness]] ''(2007 inductee)''
* [[Nobby Stiles]] ''(2007 inductee)''
* [[Terry Venables]] ''(2007 inductee)''
* [[Steve Bloomer]] ''(2008 inductee)''
* [[Malcolm Allison]] ''(2009 inductee)''
* [[Raich Carter]] ''(2013 inductee)''
* [[Gordon Strachan]] ''(2016 inductee)''
* [[Paul Ince]] ''(2021 inductee)''
{{div col end}}

===Scottish Football Hall of Fame===
The following former Middlesbrough players and managers have been inducted into the [[Scottish Football Hall of Fame]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Hall of Fame |url=https://www.scottishfootballmuseum.org.uk/exhibitions/hall-of-fame/ |access-date=15 November 2025 |website=Scottish Football Museum }}</ref>
{{div col|colwidth=20em}}
* [[Bobby Murdoch]] ''(2004 inductee)''
* [[Graeme Souness]] ''(2004 inductee)''
* [[Gordon Strachan]] ''(2007 inductee)''
{{div col end}}

==Honours==
Source:<ref name="MFCHistBk1" /><ref name="LeagueResults" /><ref name="Hist86-Pres" />

'''League'''
*[[Football League Second Division|Second Division]] / [[Football League First Division|First Division]] / [[EFL Championship|Championship]] (level 2)
**Champions: [[1926–27 Football League#Second Division|1926–27]], [[1928–29 Football League#Second Division|1928–29]], [[1973–74 Football League#Second Division|1973–74]], [[1994–95 Football League#First Division|1994–95]]
**Runners-up: [[1991–92 Football League#Second Division|1991–92]], [[1997–98 Football League#First Division|1997–98]], [[2015–16 Football League Championship|2015–16]]
**Play-off winners: [[1988 Football League play-offs#Second Division|1988]]
*[[Football League Third Division|Third Division]] (level 3)
**Runners-up: [[1966–67 Football League#Third Division|1966–67]], [[1986–87 Football League#Third Division|1986–87]]
*[[Northern League Division One|Northern League]]
**Champions: [[1893–94 Northern Football League|1893–94]], [[1894–95 Northern Football League|1894–95]], [[1896–97 Northern Football League|1896–97]]

'''Cup'''
*[[FA Cup]]
**Runners-up: [[1996–97 FA Cup|1996–97]]
*[[Football League Cup|League Cup]]
**'''Winners''': [[2003–04 Football League Cup|2003–04]]
**Runners-up: [[1996–97 Football League Cup|1996–97]], [[1997–98 Football League Cup|1997–98]]
*[[Full Members' Cup]]<ref name="Losingfinals">{{cite news |date=12 April 2002 |title=Boro's nearly men |work=BBC Sport |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/fa_cup/1923695.stm |url-status=live |access-date=26 May 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160113012724/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/fa_cup/1923695.stm |archive-date=13 January 2016}}</ref>
**Runners-up: [[1989–90 Full Members Cup|1989–90]]
*[[FA Amateur Cup]]
**Winners: 1894–95, 1897–98
*[[UEFA Cup]]
**Runners-up: [[2005–06 UEFA Cup|2005–06]]
*[[Anglo-Scottish Cup]]<ref name="Hist45-86" /><ref name="OtherRecords">{{cite web |url=http://www.middlesbrough-mad.co.uk/sngl/ed21/other_history_section/index.shtml |publisher=middlesbrough-mad.co.uk |access-date=14 February 2014 |title=Other Records |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140402204127/http://www.middlesbrough-mad.co.uk/sngl/ed21/other_history_section/index.shtml |archive-date=2 April 2014}}</ref>
**Winners: [[Anglo-Scottish Cup#List of Finals|1975–76]]
*[[North Riding Senior Cup]]
**Winners on 55 occasions since 1882
*[[Kirin Cup]]<ref name="KirinCup">{{cite web |url=https://www.rsssf.org/tablesk/kirin.html |title=Kirin Cup |access-date=31 August 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070821100635/http://www.rsssf.com/tablesk/kirin.html |archive-date=21 August 2007 |url-status=live}}</ref>
**Winners: [[Kirin Cup#Club competition winners|1980]]

==Middlesbrough Women==
{{Main|Middlesbrough F.C. Women}}

[[Middlesbrough F.C. Women|Middlesbrough Women]] is the women's team affiliated to Middlesbrough. Founded as Cleveland Spartans in 1976, they became officially affiliated with the men's team in 2023,<ref name="Women's team affiliation"/> and currently play in the [[Women's National League North|FA Women's National League North]], the third level of [[Women's football in England#Pyramid|English women's football]].

==References and notes==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
<!--

NOTE TO EDITORS:

Before adding any external links to this section, please read Wikipedia's external links policy at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/WP:EL and the "Links to be avoided" section especially. If the site you are linking to is primarily a blog or forum with little additional content, then it will be removed as it contravenes the agreed conventions for inclusion.

-->
{{commons category}}
'''Official websites'''
* [http://www.mfc.co.uk MFC.co.uk] – official club website
* [https://www.efl.com/clubs-and-competitions/sky-bet-championship/clubs/middlesbrough/ Middlesbrough] at [[The Football League]]'s official website

'''News sites'''
* {{BBC Football Info|BBClinkname=middlesbrough}}
* [http://www.skysports.com/football/team/0,19734,11680,00.html Middlesbrough news] from [[Sky Sports]]

{{Middlesbrough F.C.}}
{{Football League Championship}}
{{Premier League}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Middlesbrough F.C.| ]]
[[Category:Football clubs in England]]
[[Category:Sport in Middlesbrough]]
[[Category:Premier League clubs]]
[[Category:Association football clubs established in 1876]]
[[Category:Football clubs in North Yorkshire]]
[[Category:EFL Cup winners]]
[[Category:English Football League clubs]]
[[Category:1876 establishments in England]]
[[Category:Northern Football League]]
[[Category:Companies that have entered administration in the United Kingdom]]
[[Category:Professional football clubs in England]]