Unbelievable that the Soton manager escaped any punishment in practice.
The proposef three month suspension sounded a bit little, I was expecting six months.
Strange. But let's move on now.
Up the Boro!
Selwyn’s excellent starter and subsequent comments from other contributors has got me thinking about how we all found ourselves in Middlesbrough.
My father’s line arrived from the Barnsley area, specifically Worsborough. My great grandfather was born there in 1837 but married his second wife, (the sister of his deceased first one) in 1870 in Guisborough). In 1871 he was living in Ormesby and employed as an Engine Driver.
Prior to that most of the Bellamys had been farmers or miners, so I guess the mining experience brought my great grandfather to the town.
Like many who have already posted I have descendants from Ireland on both my mother and father's respective family sides. I've not looked into the family tree but my curiosity is now piqued so it looks like another project is developing. Thank you Selwynoz!
OFB, how are you doing? I hope everything is OK. On another topic the Boss and I watched the Anniversary match and it looked a joyous event all round and as for Southampton and the authorities, well, just who are you? Even more interesting as an onlooker just what will happen about Manchester City? Superleague there they go perhaps.
Saturday Boro to win I think but the event is a classic for 'Typical Boro' to turn up... Meanwhile the Tumbleweeds are clearing thank goodness.
All the best everyone.
UTB,
John
That was a terrific and thoroughly fascinating opener Selwynoz to add to the celebrations of Boro's 150th anniversary. Yes quite a dramatic rise of barely a small village in Europe as Middlesbrough became an important industrial heartland - I think I recall a tour of the mining museum in Skinningrove where basically the geography and geology of the area fueled its rise with coal, iron and of course a port making it an ideal spot.
It certainly has been a very long international break - too long in fact - it basically killed off the momentum and interest in the season and it's almost like starting again from scratch as I'd almost forgotten there was domestic season!
Anyway, look forward to seeing how Boro resume at the weekend but expect the teams will be a bit rusty so I imagine anything can happen. Unfortunately, it's already less than a month to the next international break and another two-week pause 🙄
btw I lost Internet for nearly a week in the switch to glass fibre as my provider failed to set up our account properly and when they did I then discovered the modem I'd purchased to connect to the box on the wall was not compatible with their legacy system (the only company still using it) so had to order new equipment before getting back up and running. Incidentally, my AI insisted my modem should work and I should get the company's technical support to make it work but then apologised for the wrong information - it does that a lot lately...
Still, at least it happened during the international break so no Boro games missed!
I'm not sure what happened but somehow the BORO v Wolves piece has ended up in the New Members forum instead of 2026/2027. I don't know how it has happened but could you (or anyone else capable) wave your magic wand to put the conversation into the proper slot.
Thanks
No problem - I've moved it to the right place
Just an observation on the family history side of things - given the way that Middlesbrough expanded almost from nothing, it is not surprising that we are all descended from in comers! There will be almost nobody born in the town post 1850 who can trace their line back to the local area.
As the Industrial Revolution took hold and farming and agriculture became more mechanized, then it was natural that families and in some cases whole villages upped sticks and came to somewhere with lots of opportunities.
On the other side of my family, they were all working in agriculture in Norfolk until they moved to Sunderland (I know!) for work. It was my grandfather (that I never knew as he died very young)who came to Middlesbrough to stay with a relative who lived opposite my grandma on Costa Street. The rest is history and my Dad went to watch Boro with his mates.
As to Soton - agree that the decision is far too soft it it is what it is and let’s hope they don’t get anywhere near promotion this season.
Yes Eckert got sweet FA in terms of punishment - all very strange and unduly lenient to get just a six-week suspended sentence and a laughable 28 grand fine considering the financial prize the club were chasing and his likely bonus - doesn't sound like much of deterrent to prevent future managers trying to gain an unfair advantage if this is the precedent.
I even googled to know more about Henry William Ferdinand Bolckow, originally Heinrich Wilhelm Ferdinand Bölckow, (8 December 1806 – 18 June 1878). He was the son of Heinrich Bölckow of Varchow, in the region of Western Pomerania, and his wife, Caroline Duscher, was born at Sülten in the Duchy of Mecklenburg-Schwerin.
I wonder if he is known in Germany. A hint for our German correspondent, perhaps?
He's not as far as I know well known in Germany - though I should point out that the place he was born was actually in Prussia at the time as Germany didn't exist until 1871 - making it only slightly older than MFC. I thought Bolckow was not a particularly German-sounding name and seemingly it's origins are Slavic - probably most likely Polish. Indeed, Varchow and the region were basically historic Slavic settlements in the now Germany - apparently people would also change their names to make them more German but -ow ending means 'of' and 'Bolck' is a variant of 'Bolek', which is a common Slavic nickname that means 'strong'.
A derby win for Boro over Newcastle United!
Newcastle United staged a secret friendly game with Middlesbrough at the KNOX training ground to allow returning stars to get some vital match minutes.
With the likes of club captain Dan Burn, Joelinton, and Nico Gonzalez all recovering from knocks, Newcastle used senior players but are understood to have lost 1-0 to the Championship outfit.
I do not know who scored for Boro. Any info?
Up the Boro!
Another class act by MFC. Proud to follow the Boro. 😎
As a side note, did you know what Aitor Karanka and Leo Percovich did after the legacy match on Sunday afternoon?
It has been revealed that he and Percovich visited the nearby Longlands Club, which included tucking into the famous Teesside delicacy that is the 'Parmo'.
"Leo and Karanka turned up. They'd tried to get a taxi from outside the hotel but couldn't and some random bloke picked them up and brought them here," said joint-owner, Jack McDonald.
"They had pictures with people in here, had a parmo each which they finished in minutes - they hadn't eaten since 9am ahead of the match. It was a fantastic atmosphere, all the customers were buzzing."
What a pair. Here is a link: https://footballleagueworld.co.uk/middlesbrough-will-love-aitor-karanka-words-after-return/
Up the Boro!
Excellent starter Selwyn. Detailed and informative! And everyone, I again apologise for my lengthy absence...
The Irish connections inspire me to look into my own connections with Middlesbrough and ponder that they may have stemmed not solely from Bryan Robson, Juninho and the then revolutionary Riverside Stadium, but the triple-named city where I was born and raised, Derry-Londonderry-Doire. It was in the opening lines of a certain show called Derry Girls where Lisa McGee's written words, in the form of Erin Quinn (Saoirse-Monica Jackson)'s diary, implied that Derry was a place you could have a somewhat complicated relationship with, where everyone knew everyone... I suppose what I get from this is that while Derry, like Middlesbrough, perhaps wasn't the most attractive or most-paid-attention to place in the world, it was and is nonetheless still ours and if you visit either today, I know that in Derry, and I imagine that in Middlesbrough, you are guaranteed to be either welcomed with open arms, be greeted by a town or city consistently open to the idea of developing for the better, or both. The truly magnificent Peace Bridge, open from 2011 to date, was a massive step forward - I never take my walks over it, which must amount to a countless number now, for granted.
The legacy game? Fantastic. I was delighted to be able to share snippets of knowledge about the Boro with those who didn't know quite as much about them on these shores, and they did seem keen to listen.
Now that we've mentioned a game featuring players and managers of Boro past, it might be time for me to contrast where we are now with where we were last season to figure out where we stand today.
Last season, the first XI, when fit, pretty much picked itself. Assuming a 4-2-2-2, you'd have Sol Brynn in goal, Callum Brittain, Dael Fry, Alfie Jones or Adilson Malanda, and Matt Targett at the back, then Hayden Hackney and Aidan Morris as the "anchors", Riley McGree and Morgan Whittaker as the "supply line", and Tommy Conway and David Strelec the front men. The most useful reserves were Luke Ayling and Alan Browne, with Delano Burgzorg, Alex Gilbert and Sammy Silvera contributing in fits and starts. Sontje Hansen and Kaly Sene faded out, while neither Leo Castledine nor Jeremy Sarmiento looked "ready". A lack of depth, sure, which led to squad exhaustion, but at the best of times, could you doubt the fluidity or synergy?
Now, we arguably have enough "reliables" or "potentially reliables" to fill two starting XIs, assuming each line-up is a 4-2-3-1. First choice? Radek Vitek in goal, with Brittain, Jones, Malanda and Neto Borges at the back, Morris and Seb Berhalter the "engine room", Amario Cozier-Duberry, McGree and Conway the "supply line", and Will Lankshear up top. In reserve we'd have Brynn, with a defence of Sam Byram, Ashley Phillips, George Edmundson and Ayling, an engine room of Connor Barron and Rokas Pukštas, a supply line of Myles Peart-Harris, Jeremy Sarmiento and Max Arfsten, and Kyle Joseph up top. Castledine and Strelec can still be useful if fit and firing.
On paper, today's squad looks and feels a lot stronger than last season's, with goals popping up from all over the team as is typical of a Kim Hellberg side, but the lack of coherence and a defined voice is still eating away at us. We're always interesting or exciting to watch, but you do hope for a bit more consistency and solidity, especially since those two words have defined our most famous promotion teams of recent times. (Say what you like about Aitor Karanka's line-ups in late 2015, and many did, but the engine room and back four of his team were as tight-knit as can be.)
We've reflected, and now we look forward to our season restart being a good one...
@simonfallaha A first rate post and I particularly liked the comparison between D-L-D and Middlesbrough. I’ve always fancied a trip over to visit your town - maybe I need to make it happen.
Wise words, too, about the differences between Boro 2025 and our current incarnation - I can’t wait for the next game and stage 2 of this season.
Excellent post, Si. You and me are the lone foreners here who have never lived in Boro.
Excellent result yesterday: West Ham and QPR drew 1 all.
https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/live/cq62ym01jljmt
Up the Boro!
@Selwyn - Your starter piece was a great read. I have always thought that the explosive growth of Middlesbrough as a town and an industrial giant was a very compelling story.
And, Si, perhaps I can join you after a brief "rest," from football and a period during which I have put Boro, and this Blog, to one side. It is time to pay attention again to Boro's promotion push and Wolves will present a real test. It is, I understand, live on TV.
Jarkko and Si as "foreigners"? Not in my book. Part of the Family. Cousins, aunts and uncles don't all live in the same house/town but they are still part of the Family.
Today's game, to celebrate 150 years, is said to be a sell-out so we'll have to get there early. Hopefully a fully-fit squad will be available. Let's hope Boro comes out of the traps at full speed. An early goal or two would be nice but three points is the aim.
Three changes from the last starting XI against Brum:
CJ on the changes:
It's three changes from the last game at Birmingham for the break as Borges, Berhalter and Conway in for Arfsten, Ayling and Peart-Harris. Connor Barron makes the bench for the first time in the league, but there's no Pukstas or Strelec in the squad.
It will be a back four today, with Malanda and Phillips at centre-back. I suspected he might go back three with the Malanda hybrid role, but it's a four.
Maybe with questions over Borges/Arfsten, that's probably close to Boro's strongest XI now, I think. In a game like this, Borges' defensive nous probably suits it better, whereas other days they'll want extra attacking output and that will suit Arfsten.
@stircrazy Happy with the starting XI. It’s almost exactly the first choice starting XI I suggested in my post above. Except with Phillips in for A Jones.
Excellent result yesterday: West Ham and QPR drew 1 all.
Results in the matches with early starts today:
Charlton drew at home to the Robins by 1-1, the Swans beat the Canaries by 2-1 & Brum won away to WBA by 0-1. Boro could go second behind Swansea with a win today, though Wolves would have a game in hand (but four points fewer)...
It looks like Conway on the left again given Cozier-Duberry is likely on his favoured right wing - not convinced with Conway on the left and he looked much better last time playing on the right. I would opt for either Sarmiento or Arfsten on the left over Conway as haven't seen anything to convince me he won't just be cutting inside and playing for free kicks.
It will be interesting to see how long it takes Boro to get back in the groove after such a long break.
An enjoyable game with two good footballing sides looking to give it a go; Boro dominating possession but not created many clear cut chances.
Looks as if one goal will settle it.
I would like to see Cozier-Duberry switched onto the left to have a run at Trippier. 😎
Cagey game between two accomplished sides, Boro looking much more solid at the back with Malanda outstanding. Boro look the most like scoring but it has been a half of few clear chances with both defences well on top. Boro's only scare coming from Vitek being too slow to clear and being lucky to get away with it. I, too, would have preferred to see Sarmiento rather than Conway from the off, but Tommy has the legs of Trippier and has put in some dangerous crosses.
Unsurprisingly 0-0 then so far, and that is how it is likely to continue unless something changes
Yes was just going to also say a cagey game and few clear openings - glad to see Conway has been mixing his game up a bit more than previous outings down the left - Wolves look sharp on the break and it's a game that could probably go either way - but Boro probably edged that first half.
Boro not making enough out of their greater possession and at times Wolves look dangerous on the break with their very good passing and the ability to get past Borges.
No real chances from Boro and Berhalter appears to have left his best boots in America. Three shots, all nowhere near.
I really do not like this inverted winger role, cutting inside and usually running into too many bodies. We need to get behind their defence more, something we did not do in the first half.
Great goal from Lanshear made by a cross from the best left winger at the club, Tommy Conway!😉 CoB 😎
It looks like Conway on the left again given Cozier-Duberry is likely on his favoured right wing - not convinced with Conway on the left and he looked much better last time playing on the right. I would opt for either Sarmiento or Arfsten on the left over Conway as haven't seen anything to convince me he won't just be cutting inside and playing for free kicks.
It will be interesting to see how long it takes Boro to get back in the groove after such a long break.
Well, it took all of 12 minutes of the second half for that to happen, with our young goal machine, Lanky Will, bagging it, ably assisted by none other than TC... 🙂
Ayling & MPH on for Berhalter & TC in the 70th minute.
Ayling & MPH on for Berhalter & TC in the 70th minute.
Sarmiento on for McGree in the 80th minute. Boro currently second in the table...
A win & a clean sheet for Boro after surviving five minutes of injury time! 👍