It’s certainly come around very quickly. The Boro reporting back for training today and the seasons fixtures being announced tomorrow.
Its important for Diasborians as well as the fixtures are allocated for the penmanship b that will be produced over the season.
Thanks to everyone who contributed last year which made this the best, most informative and different Boro blog in the world.
For those who have joined the blog and all the lurkers, please have a go. We don’t expect a litany of war and peace just a view from a Boro supporter on what and how they see the fixture will pan out.
Those who did contribute last season if you wish to comment on a particular fixture then please let us know.
Interest from our Australian bloggers in producing previews is also most welcome and looking forward to reading how they view the game from the other side of the world.
Anyone who doesn’t want or can’t contribute this season, then no problem and thanks for your input it’s truly appreciated.
So come on you Diasborians “let’s be avin yer” please respond who is going to contribute this season and nominate a match if they want to.
Dont forget the first game is a friendly at home then we have the Carabao Cup as well.
if you can put up with me I’ll throw my hat in the ring as a contributor for the coming season and Andy has kindly said that he will produce the spreadsheet as per last season.
Up the Boro
OFB
@Original Fat Bob
Happy to heed your call for an upside down view of the Boro. However, I am due to be travelling in the UK and Europe for August and early September so will probably have to delay my first offering. Having said that, there is a chance that I might be able to catch up with a game and that might change things. I'll take a look at the fixture schedule, talk to MrsOz and come back to you.
UTB
2024/25
fixtures
AUGUST
Sat 10 | Swansea City (H)
Sat 17 | Derby County (A)
Sat 24 | Portsmouth (H)
Sat 31 | Cardiff City (A)
SEPTEMBER
Sat 14 | Preston North End (H)
Sat 21 | Sunderland (A)
Sat 28 | Stoke City (H)
OCTOBER
Tue 1| West Bromwich Albion (A)
Sat 5 | Watford (A)
Sat 19 | Bristol City (H)
Wed 23 | Sheffield United (H)
Sat 26 | Norwich City (A)
NOVEMBER
Sat 2 | Coventry City (H)
Tue 5 | Queens Park Rangers (A)
Sat 9 | Luton Town (H)
Sat 23 | Oxford United (A)
Wed 27 | Blackburn Rovers (H)
Sat 30 | Hull City (H)
DECEMBER
Sat 7 | Burnley (A)
Tue 10 | Leeds United (A)
Sat 14 | Millwall (H)
Sat 21 | Plymouth Argyle (A)
Thu 26 | Sheffield Wednesday (H)
Sun 29 | Burnley (H)
MIDDLESBROUGH
FOOTBALL
JANUARY
1876
Wed 1 | Hull City (A)
Sat 4 | Cardiff City (H)
Sat 18 | Portsmouth (A)
Tue 21 | West Bromwich Albion (H)
Sat 25 | Preston North End (A)
FEBRUARY
Sat 1 | Sunderland (H)
Sat 8 | Stoke City (A)
Wed 12 | Sheffield United (A)
Sat 15 | Watford (H)
Sat 22 | Bristol City (A)
MARCH
Sat 1 | Derby County (H)
Sat 8 | Swansea City (A)
Tue 11 | Queens Park Rangers (H)
Sat 15 | Luton Town (A)
Sat 29 | Oxford United (H)
APRIL
Sat 5 | Blackburn Rovers (A)
Tue 8 | Leeds United (H)
Sat 12 | Millwall (A)
Fri 18 | Plymouth Argyle (H)
Mon 21 | Sheffield Wednesday (A)
Sat 26 | Norwich City (H)
MAY
Sat 3 | Coventry City (A)
@original-fat-bob Thanks, Bob.
Every Championship game on the opening weekend will be televised live by Sky Sports, with Sunderland's trip to Cardiff and Boro's visit of Swansea both kicking off at 12.30pm on Saturday, August 10.
The 2024/25 season will mark the start of the landmark partnership between Sky and the EFL, with over 1,000 games set to be televised, featuring every Championship club on at least 24 occasions.
Does anyone know if the Riverside Live will show the matches abroad now that Sky is more involved?
Up the Boro!
@original-fat-bob I’m happy to write a few previews - maybe I could do Blackburn & Preston, home and away.
I asked that question a while ago when the Sky deal was first announced. Last year, Riverside Live didn’t have video if the match was available to broadcasters. That’s not such a problem as someone usually has the rights but the question now is whether, with so many games being shown live, the rights holder will show all these games and what happens if a game is on Sky in the UK but not on screen in a particular country.
UTB
@selwynoz Yes, indeed.
Also, no subscriptions are not available now. Up the Boro!
It’s swings and roundabouts I guess - luckily I’ve got Sky but I quite like the commentary on BoroLive (although I’m aware that I might be in a minority).
All players reported back to training on Monday - except a few international players who will have an extra week off.
Tommi Smith was seen among others but he was wearing running shoes as others we wearing proper football boots. So perhaps he is not 100 % fit yet but at least he joined others on the grass.
The Teesside Live also said that Marcus Forss was missing from the group. He has had a tear in his hind thigh - at least this was reported in mid March by the Finnish National team.
I have not heard anything about him since March but hope he will be fine soon. I have no clue if he is on Teesside for treatment or what is his situation.
All the other Boro players should be back and fit now. Up the Boro!
I posted earlier when the new deal was announced that my understanding was that despite the match being on Sky, the club could still broadcast to overseas supporters; I could however be wrong.I asked that question a while ago when the Sky deal was first announced. Last year, Riverside Live didn’t have video if the match was available to broadcasters. That’s not such a problem as someone usually has the rights but the question now is whether, with so many games being shown live, the rights holder will show all these games and what happens if a game is on Sky in the UK but not on screen in a particular country.
UTB
What is also not clear is what happens if a local broadcaster chooses to show the match. Previously you were not able to watch the Riverside stream if your local broadcaster was showing it. It needs to be clarified.
Fortunately, like Martin I also have Sky and also like the Riverside Live commentary team of Mark Drury and Neil Maddison. 😎
Leeds away in the Carabao Cup! 😎
@original-fat-bob. I won’t commit to writing an article for the Leeds game as I am conscious of my current health issue and what that might entail in the next few weeks/months.
Please, however, count me in to deputise later in the season in the event that another intending contributor is unable to adhere to their commitment/deadline; hope that is acceptable. 😎
I’m happy to contribute a few starter articles, probably 6-8 across the season, if they can be reasonably evenly spaced, as last year. Presumably we’ll draw up a rota, will we?
I don’t really fancy writing the Leeds Cup preview, as I did Leeds away last year, unless nobody else volunteers.
As much as I like watching all football I wonder if televising something like half of all Championship games is too much. Perhaps it may encourage some supporters not to buy a season ticket but watch all televised games and buy the occasional ticket for special games.
Philip of Huddersfield
Hi Bob,
I'm another longtime site reader and another Australia based Boro fan (from Darlo though in the Jack Charlton and John Neal days).
I'm also a journalist and recently launched a Substack account - A Sporting Soul - with the an early piece about none other than Big Jack https://asportingsoul.substack.com/p/a-sporting-soul-fe6
I'm very happy indeed to write a few Diasboror pieces this year. My first ever Boro match was 7 September 1974 (1-1 v Chelsea, willie Maddren scoring) and it would be nice to tie in a match around then (the exact date this year is international break I think).
Cheers
Rich
Hi Diasborians
The spreadsheet for the next season showing the authors of match previews is currently being prepared by Andy.
Thank you to those who have supported the blog over the past season. If anyone is unable to write any previews for the coming season please shout up 🆙!
If we have any Diasborians who fancy a go please shout up 🆙 louder 📣.
MANY THANKS
OFB
Hi everyone,
As OFB has mentioned, I'm prepping the spreadsheet for preview writing this coming season. Many thanks to Martin and Clive for their offers - very much appreciated.
Below is the table for now, with Martin's requests filled in. Please put your hand up if you're interested and I'll fill in the blanks.
|
Fixture
|
Type
|
Date
|
Writer
|
|
Swansea (H)
|
League
|
10-Aug
|
|
|
Leeds (A)
|
Carabao Cup
|
13-Aug
|
|
|
Derby (A)
|
League
|
17-Aug
|
|
|
Portsmouth (H)
|
League
|
24-Aug
|
|
|
Cardiff (A)
|
League
|
31-Aug
|
|
|
Preston (H)
|
League
|
14-Sep
|
MB
|
|
Sunderland (A)
|
League
|
21-Sep
|
|
|
Stoke (H)
|
League
|
28-Sep
|
|
|
WBA (A)
|
League
|
01-Oct
|
|
|
Watford (A)
|
League
|
05-Oct
|
|
|
Bristol City (H)
|
League
|
19-Oct
|
|
|
Sheff Utd (H)
|
League
|
23-Oct
|
|
|
Norwich (A)
|
League
|
26-Oct
|
|
|
Coventry (H)
|
League
|
02-Nov
|
|
|
QPR (A)
|
League
|
05-Nov
|
|
|
Luton (H)
|
League
|
09-Nov
|
|
|
Oxford (A)
|
League
|
23-Nov
|
|
|
Blackburn (H)
|
League
|
27-Nov
|
MB
|
|
Hull (H)
|
League
|
30-Nov
|
|
|
Burnley (A)
|
League
|
07-Dec
|
|
|
Leeds (A)
|
League
|
10-Dec
|
|
|
Millwall (H)
|
League
|
14-Dec
|
|
|
Plymouth (A)
|
League
|
21-Dec
|
|
|
Sheff Wed (H)
|
League
|
26-Dec
|
|
|
Burnley (H)
|
League
|
29-Dec
|
|
|
Hull (A)
|
League
|
01-Jan
|
|
|
Cardiff (H)
|
League
|
04-Jan
|
|
|
Portsmouth (A)
|
League
|
18-Jan
|
|
|
WBA (H)
|
League
|
21-Jan
|
|
|
Preston (A)
|
League
|
25-Jan
|
MB
|
|
Sunderland (H)
|
League
|
01-Feb
|
|
|
Stoke (A)
|
League
|
08-Feb
|
|
|
Sheff Utd (A)
|
League
|
12-Feb
|
|
|
Watford (H)
|
League
|
15-Feb
|
|
|
Bristol City (A)
|
League
|
22-Feb
|
|
|
Derby (H)
|
League
|
01-Mar
|
|
|
Swansea (A)
|
League
|
08-Mar
|
|
|
QPR (H)
|
League
|
11-Mar
|
|
|
Luton (A)
|
League
|
15-Mar
|
|
|
Oxford (H)
|
League
|
29-Mar
|
|
|
Blackburn (A)
|
League
|
05-Apr
|
MB
|
|
Leeds (H)
|
League
|
08-Apr
|
|
|
Millwall (A)
|
League
|
12-Apr
|
|
|
Plymouth (H)
|
League
|
18-Apr
|
|
|
Sheff Wed (A)
|
League
|
21-Apr
|
|
|
Norwich (H)
|
League
|
26-Apr
|
|
|
Coventry (A)
|
League
|
03-May
|
I’ve put in some dates below. Happy to do others occasionally, if the need arises.
|
Fixture
|
Type
|
Date
|
Writer
|
|
Swansea (H)
|
League
|
10-Aug
|
|
|
Leeds (A)
|
Carabao Cup
|
13-Aug
|
|
|
Derby (A)
|
League
|
17-Aug
|
|
|
Portsmouth (H)
|
League
|
24-Aug
|
CH |
|
Cardiff (A)
|
League
|
31-Aug
|
|
|
Preston (H)
|
League
|
14-Sep
|
MB
|
|
Sunderland (A)
|
League
|
21-Sep
|
|
|
Stoke (H)
|
League
|
28-Sep
|
|
|
WBA (A)
|
League
|
01-Oct
|
|
|
Watford (A)
|
League
|
05-Oct
|
|
|
Bristol City (H)
|
League
|
19-Oct
|
|
|
Sheff Utd (H)
|
League
|
23-Oct
|
CH |
|
Norwich (A)
|
League
|
26-Oct
|
|
|
Coventry (H)
|
League
|
02-Nov
|
|
|
QPR (A)
|
League
|
05-Nov
|
|
|
Luton (H)
|
League
|
09-Nov
|
|
|
Oxford (A)
|
League
|
23-Nov
|
|
|
Blackburn (H)
|
League
|
27-Nov
|
MB
|
|
Hull (H)
|
League
|
30-Nov
|
|
|
Burnley (A)
|
League
|
07-Dec
|
CH |
|
Leeds (A)
|
League
|
10-Dec
|
|
|
Millwall (H)
|
League
|
14-Dec
|
|
|
Plymouth (A)
|
League
|
21-Dec
|
|
|
Sheff Wed (H)
|
League
|
26-Dec
|
|
|
Burnley (H)
|
League
|
29-Dec
|
|
|
Hull (A)
|
League
|
01-Jan
|
|
|
Cardiff (H)
|
League
|
04-Jan
|
|
|
Portsmouth (A)
|
League
|
18-Jan
|
|
|
WBA (H)
|
League
|
21-Jan
|
CH |
|
Preston (A)
|
League
|
25-Jan
|
MB
|
|
Sunderland (H)
|
League
|
01-Feb
|
|
|
Stoke (A)
|
League
|
08-Feb
|
|
|
Sheff Utd (A)
|
League
|
12-Feb
|
|
|
Watford (H)
|
League
|
15-Feb
|
|
|
Bristol City (A)
|
League
|
22-Feb
|
|
|
Derby (H)
|
League
|
01-Mar
|
CH |
|
Swansea (A)
|
League
|
08-Mar
|
|
|
QPR (H)
|
League
|
11-Mar
|
|
|
Luton (A)
|
League
|
15-Mar
|
|
|
Oxford (H)
|
League
|
29-Mar
|
|
|
Blackburn (A)
|
League
|
05-Apr
|
MB
|
|
Leeds (H)
|
League
|
08-Apr
|
|
|
Millwall (A)
|
League
|
12-Apr
|
|
|
Plymouth (H)
|
League
|
18-Apr
|
|
|
Sheff Wed (A)
|
League
|
21-Apr
|
CH |
|
Norwich (H)
|
League
|
26-Apr
|
|
|
Coventry (A)
|
League
|
03-May
|
Many thanks Clive
OFB
You can also add me to the list for previews with no particular preferences for games - though I’m not yet into the swing of the new season that is starting fairly soon - maybe once the Euros are finished 🙂
Great news Werder looking forward to your previews don’t know how you managed to do everything on your own ! A true Herculean task! Ah but you were much younger then…….
Still a lot younger than me and a lot of other Diasborians???
OFB
cheers OFB - I’m actually just over in England at the moment (go back tomorrow) to celebrate my 60th birthday (on Election Day) so am still struggling with the concept of seeing a big six on all the cards 🤔
Ah !
I had a big 6 on my birthday card this year unfortunately there was a 7 in front of it !
OFB