Middlesborough

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Middlesborough

In 1876 the club formed by members of Middlesbrough Cricket Club at a meeting at the Albert Park Hotel. Their first recorded game against Teesside Wanderers ends in 1-1 draw. Home games played at Archery Ground in Albert Park, Middlesbrough. First recorded away game at Barnard Castle ends in 1-0 defeat.

On May 19 1899, Middlesbrough are elected to the Football League. Boro join Division Two, losing 3-0 at Lincoln in first league game. First home game ends in 3-1 defeat against Small Heath. First league win at home against Grimsby. Club colours are white shirts and blue shorts. Away colours are black shirts and white shorts. Three years later, Middlesborough are promoted to Division One after conceding only 24 goals (a club record) throughout the season. First ever Division One game ends in 1-0 away win over Blackburn. Club play last game at the Linthorpe Road ground.

In 1905, Middlesborough a sensation by paying £1,000 for centre forward Alf Common, the first ever four figure transfer fee. Goalkeeper Tim Williamson, above, becomes Boro's first England international when capped against Ireland in a game played at Ayresome Park. 1914 sees Middlesborough's best ever league season finishing third in the First Division. In 1936 Boro reach sixth round of the FA Cup only to lose 3-1 to Grimsby.

1947 see another FA Cup sixth round - this time resulting in defeat to Burnley. Two years later and Boro record a record home attendance of 53,596 achieved against Newcastle United on December 27. Boro's side includes England internationals Wilf Mannion, left, and George Hardwick. Andy Donaldson becomes first five-figure transfer when signed from Newcastle. 1955 sees Boro lose 9-0 at Blackburn, the club's worst ever defeat. 1958 and Brian Clough nets five goals in an opening day 9-0 win over Brighton, a club record win.

1970 and another FA Cup run ends with defeat in the quarter-finals, 2-1 to Manchester United in a replay. Four years later and former England international Jack Charlton ends his first season in management with Boro finishing the season at Second Division champions with a record number of points - 65. The following season sees yet another FA Cup quarter-final defeat, this time a 1-0 loss to Birmingham. 1977 and Liverpool defeat Boro 2-0 in the FA Cup quarter-final. Charlton resigns and is replaced by John Neal. Billy Ashcroft is first six-figure buy when signed from Wrexham.

A last day defeat at Shrewsbury in 1986 sees Boro relegated to Division Three and the club goes into liquidation in July, suffering from massive debts. A consortium consisting of ICI, Scottish and Newcastle Breweries, Bulkhaul and Henry Moszkowicz saves the club and forms Middlesbrough Football and Athletic Company (1986) Ltd. In 1987 Boro complete remarkable comeback by winning promotion at first attempt. Manager Bruce Rioch builds a side mainly consisting of local youngsters, including Tony Mowbray, Gary Pallister, Stuart Ripley and Colin Cooper. The following season sees Boro's revival continue with a second successive promotion taking the club back to the First Division. Promotion is achieved with wins over Bradford City and Chelsea in the play-offs.

1992 sees another promotion season, with Lennie Lawrence leading the team into the inaugural Premier League. Run to the semi-finals of the League Cup ends in 2-1 aggregate defeat to Manchester United. One season after promotion, the club are again relegated. In 1994 England and Manchester United legend Bryan Robson replaces Lennie Lawrence as manager. Aston Villa's Neil Cox is first £1m buy. By 1995 Bryan Robson leads Boro to the Division One championship. Club moves to the new 30,000 capacity, all-seater Riverside Stadium, the largest football stadium built in the UK for 70 years. Club signs England international Nick Barmby for £5.25m, four times Boro's previous transfer record, together with Brazilian Footballer of the Year Juninho.

2000: Boro finish 12th in the Premiership. Boro become the first football club in the world to win an ISO 9002 management award for its Youth Academy. Record attendance of 34,800 v Leeds United February 26. MFC become the first British club to play in Libya for 15 years in an end-of-season friendly tournament. Defender Ugo Ehiogu becomes the club's £8m record signing. Former England manager Terry Venables is appointed head coach to assist manager Bryan Robson. In season 2001/2002 Boro finish 12th in the Premiership and reach the FA Cup semi-finals, only to lose to Arsenal at Old Trafford in an unforgettable game.