Sorting out the goalkeepers, Johnny H’s contract, even a new centre half, it all feels all a bit like the starters you get before the main course. This pre-season is all about two name strikers plus backup and that will be the make or break. Maybe a new left wing-back is key as well.
We also can’t wait for August. It has to happen quickly so that Wilder can work with the new squad and we hit the new season running.
utb
Boro have rejected an offer from Banfield to take Martin Payero back on loan.
I think after a full pre season that he may well flourish this year under Wilder. Let’s hope so as it will be like a new signing.
OFB
Boro have rejected an offer from Banfield to take Martin Payero back on loan.
I think after a full pre season that he may well flourish this year under Wilder. Let’s hope so as it will be like a new signing.
OFB
Good. He needs a full injury free season and consistent game time to show if he can fully contribute at this level; I think he has the makings of an excellent attacking midfielder if given the opportunities. 😎
I agree with that KP. I am very pleased to see we are keeping young Payero on as I also think he might be very useful to us in the Championship and arguably beyond.
Uncle Albert is still going strong.
Right winger Albert Adomah has signed a new two-year contract extension with Queen's Park Rangers.
Adomah, 34, joined the Championship club in the summer of 2020 from Nottingham Forest.
He was my favoutite player while he was at Boro. Mogga knew when he saw a good player. I was devasteted when he left Boro.
Up the Boro!
I think Spurs are playing a canny game regarding Spence.
-They know he doesn’t want to return to Boro
-Boro don’t want him
-Boro want to sell him to finance new signings
- Boro can’t pay ‘ big money ‘ for players until they know with certainty what they will get for Spence
-He wants to go to Spurs
So all they have to do is to sit tight and wait to see if any other Club is interested and , if not, then they can drive down the price.
I think the chance of Boro getting the best part of £20 million is receding by the day.
Philip of Huddersfield
Or is it just a case that he is still on holiday and that a transfer cannot be firmed up until his return? 😎
First a brief geography lesson about the River Tees. It starts in Cross Fell, Cumbria and is perhaps the most torturous river in England as it runs into Cow Green Reservoir before meandering through High Force waterfalls in Teesdale and doesn’t go through any villages of note until it passes through Barnard Castle via Egglestone, Whorlton, Piercebridge, Stapleton, Rockcliffe, through Dalton on Tees and Hurworth on Tees, via Neasham, Sockburn, Dinsdale, Middleton One Row, through Yarm on Tees, Thornaby on Tees, and Stockton on Tees and Newport until it reaches the North Sea between Hartlepool, Port Clarence into the outskirts of Middlesbrough under the Transporter Bridge, but at no time does it actually flow through the centre of Middlesbrough. Naturally you all know that so Middlesbrough unlike Stockton has never been referred to as Middlesbrough on Tees certainly in my lifetime. The coastal resorts of Coatham, Redcar, Marske and Saltburn are not part of Teesside but sometimes had the suffix of ‘by the Sea’ appended to their name, though not Coatham or Redcar recently as the two were merged and eventually became a town of 40,000 inhabitants.
Even when the Local Government Boundaries Commission merged the towns of Middlesbrough, Stockton, Thornaby, Billingham, Eston and Redcar but centred mainly in Middlesbrough the name of Teesside wasn’t chosen as the name of the new unitary authority, but Cleveland County Council was chosen in 1968 which lasted until 1974. So suddenly we had a new county for 6 years, and then came confusion as to which county the former constituents belonged, presumably Durham or North Yorkshire, but not Cleveland and certainly not Teesside which is merely a region which the Post Office used as TS for its new post code. As an aside I don’t imagine the inhabitants of Burnley are too chuffed at having to use the post code BB which is the post code of Blackburn knowing the animosity between the two football clubs.
But I digress. I’m now housebound, but when I was asked where I lived I always used to say Yorkshire, rarely Redcar as many foreigners had never heard of it, and certainly never Teesside although I might mention Middlesbrough Football Club to those interested in football. When I appeared on Channel 4s quiz show presenter William G Stewart noted that I came from Redcar and questioned whether that had reverted to Yorkshire, to which I replied that as far as I was concerned Redcar had never left Yorkshire and was the most northerly point of God’s own county. When I worked in Local Government I always wore a white rose on my lapel on the 1st of August which of course is Yorkshire Day. I am as proud as being a Yorkshire cricket supporter as I am as being a Middlesbrough football supporter, though I would hate it if it had started out as Teesside Wanderers, Athletic, Rovers, etc.
I recall a few years ago Steve Gibson getting into a bit of bother suggesting that some inhabitants north of the Tees were really Sunderland fans. He was partly correct as when I worked for Cleveland County Council in Middlesbrough many of my colleagues and best mates came from Ferryhill, Spennymoor and Evenwood and certainly didn’t support the Boro. And that’s another sore point with me that hardly anybody in my youth described our football team as Boro, it was always ‘The Boro’ as the use of the definite article defined our heritage even more than than the white band on the football shirts which was introduced by Jack Charlton but certainly wasn’t the traditional colours as many believe only because it was a period that the Boro started a long period of success. I note that Jarkko particularly signs of his blogs with ‘Up the Boro’ and some bloggers UTB.
Naturally the vast majority of sports fans in our region support the Boro, but let’s not forget that it was formed by the players of Middlesbrough Cricket Club who wanted some outlet to keep fit in the winter months. Of course not everyone likes cricket especially Anthony Vickers which is a little surprising as he was born in Acklam where Yorkshire often played in the halcyon days from 1956 until 1996. Some form of Cricket was played as long ago as 1725 whilst the oldest football club in existence is Sheffield FC founded in 1857 so little wonder that Cricket was England’s national sport.
Which at long last brings me to the similarities between Sheffield Steel and Middlesbrough Iron and what I wrote earlier about how proud I am to be called a Yorkshireman and what an amazing month June as been for the City of Sheffield. Firstly Joe Root has regained his place as the ICC’s number one batsman in the world, but even more amazingly young Matt Fitzpatrick has become only the 4th Englishman to have won the USA Open Golf Championship on the toughest course in America at Brookline Country Club in Boston, Massachusetts. This achievement is undoubtedly in my opinion the most outstanding sporting achievement in sport this century, and both the BBC and the Yorkshire Post have acknowledged that. He maybe is the best golfer England has produced since Nick Faldo. And for me it is outrageous that the Middlesbrough Evening Gazette under a fictitious name of Teesside Live has not even mentioned it or even his fellow Blades supporter Joe Root.
Why Football generally cannot take a backward step in the summer is beyond me, when so much is happening in the Sporting world. Yes I’m still a fanatical Middlesbrough FC supporter and am aware that next season’s football fixtures will be released tomorrow but I will be in hospital so will have other things on my mind. So here’s hoping for good news on my health problems as I don’t want this to be the last time you hear from me!
Take care, Ken.
We have had the break from the football now and the pre-season has started. I agree with you, that the footy should tske a step back, but I will still check more than oncea day if we have signed a new goalkeeper or especially the next 20-goals-a-season centre back!
And next season you will again see Boro get promoted. T-T-Teessiders! Up the Boro!
Excellent combined geography snd history lesson Ken from which we eventually learned the most important thing, that you are being hospitalised. Prayers and best wishes that you will be made properly fit in time for the start of the season. There's a lot of posting still for you to do!!
However, your homework does need to be marked and I am afraid that on this occasion you miss out on top marks, well at least for some of the history.
Middlesbrough was itself an administrative unit called a County Borough, in the North Riding of Yorkshire for many years from the days of Queen Victoria. I wonder was it when the town was granted its charter as a County Borough that the infamous spelling mistake occurred which gave us the unique spelling of Middlesbrough instead of Middlesborough?
The County Borough of Middlesbrough was merged with other conurbations on the banks of the lower Tees to form a new or extended County Borough in 1968. Your memory has let you down there Ken, because this County Borough was called Teesside. In my youth, this is when I remember the self proclaimed label of Teessider became popular.
Following the Local Government Act of 1972 there was wholesale reorganisation of local authorities across much of the country that was implemented in 1974. As part of this, Teesside County Borough was abolished and replaced with Cleveland County, having a greatly extended geographic footprint both north (including Hartlepool) and south of the river and pushing further west as well.
More central government tinkering in the local Government Act of 1992 abolished Cleveland County and replaced that with, I think, 4 unitary authorities: Hartlepool, Stockton on Tees, Redcar & Cleveland and Middlesbrough. I am not sure but someone living more locally might correct me if some of the parts of what was Cleveland County ended up in different administrative boundaries to these 4.
Anyway, that is how I recall the evolution of Middlebrough from being a County Borough in the North Riding of Yorkshire, to being a Unitary Authority in North Yorkshire today.
Its funny really, that after all that tinkering, we ended up with something that looks and smells very much what we were originally granted by Queen Victoria all those years ago, just with a different label: Unitary Authority instead of County Borough.
And today as we all know it is a town that is always overlooked when it comes to being granted a city status.
Thanks to Ken and Powmill for two excellent posts, exemplifying once again that this is the place to come to if you need authoritative responses on a whole range of subjects.
Best wishes for today, Ken. We all hope that everything goes well for you. You have an indomitable spirit that I am sure will see you get through the next few days. Rest assured that you have a host of friends and fans on this blog who will be rooting for you. Keep us posted on your situation.
No mention of Langbaurgh, Ken/P-N? A brief incarnation I think in the 70s/80s, before it seemed to disappear back to its historical reference.
Best wishes Ken. Hope everything goes well for you over the next few days and you are soon back posting. 😎
Yes, I have often wondered what Langbaurgh was. I saw the border when going to or from Great Ayton. Where or what was Langbaurgh?
Up the Boro!
Best wishes Ken. I'm sure you'll be back with us in plenty of time for the new season.
No mention of Langbaurgh, Ken/P-N? A brief incarnation I think in the 70s/80s, before it seemed to disappear back to its historical reference.
Yes Martin Langbaurgh.
Langbaugh was a district in the county of Cleveland. I recall there were four districts in the County, each with its own district council, but that were subordinate to the County Council.
I think I am right in saying that the four districts of Cleveland are what were (more or less) instated as the four unitary authorities Ientioned, with what was Langbaurgh becoming Redcar and Cleveland unitary authority.
Interestingly, the name Cleveland comes from the vikings who called this place Cliff Land in their tongue. I haven't the foggiest what the name Langbaurgh derives from, but now you have my interest I will research it when I have a moment (unless some one here already knows?)
I’m pretty sure it must mean Long Barrow. But I haven’t checked.
More info here: https://www.british-history.ac.uk/vch/yorks/north/vol2/pp217-220
That was an interesting read Martin.
I found this, which informs us that Langbaugh means Long Hill,
http://epns.nottingham.ac.uk/browse/id/53286b0ab47fc40bc600010b
Berg in Swedish is a hill or mountain. Lång is pronounced [long] and means naturally long. Facinating. Up the Boro !
MFC website now confirming that Lenihan has joined on four year contract; beginning to come together! Just need some scoring forwards. 😎
I clicked onto Sky sports to record highlights of the Test match and noticed that a certain Juninho was on the next channel and so I also recorded it.
I have just watched his highlights which brought back so many happy memories - what a player. He was the only Boro player I’ve watched over 50 + years when he got the ball in a potentially attacking area, the home crowd stood up in anticipation of something special happening.
There are many games I remember with Juninho but one sticks in my mind -away to Man Utd. I think it was at Easter when I got soaked walking to the ground and Juninho ran the game . Boro , from memory, winning 2-0, then 3-1 and then United scoring 2 late goals to finish 3-3. Walking away from the ground, and getting soaked again, I remember talking to United supporters who said they’d love Juninho and would willingly swop him for Cantana who I think was coming towards the end of his career.
Meanwhile what a comeback by England and another swashbuckling innings by Jonnie Bairstow who , as always looks up to the Sky when reaching 50 or 100, to his late father who batted the same as Jonnie.
Philip of Huddersfield
Some Boro websites reporting Payero joining Boca Juniors on loan (unconfirmed)
OFB
Some Boro websites reporting Payero joining Boca Juniors on loan (unconfirmed)
OFB
A mate of mine posted on my Boro WhatsApp group, this morning, a report stating that Payero was join Boca Juniors on a 18 month loan with an option to buy, until I pointed out that the report he posted was dated 9 June and I have seen recent reports that MFC have rejected loan deals from Boca Juniors, River Plate and Banfield, it is also interesting to see him part of the pre season training. I personally think there is a very good player in him and I think we would regret letting him go without really giving him a chance.
Come on BORO.
Some Boro websites reporting Payero joining Boca Juniors on loan (unconfirmed)
OFB
A mate of mine posted on my Boro WhatsApp group, this morning, a report stating that Payero was join Boca Juniors on a 18 month loan with an option to buy, until I pointed out that the report he posted was dated 9 June and I have seen recent reports that MFC have rejected loan deals from Boca Juniors, River Plate and Banfield, it is also interesting to see him part of the pre season training. I personally think there is a very good player in him and I think we would regret letting him go without really giving him a chance.
Come on BORO.
I agree with you Exmil, given the chance I think he will flourish and be a major contributor to the team.
If he were to be loaned back then I believe this would be a major failure as far as the new Head of Football role is concerned, this is to identify young, relatively cheap players for inclusion in the team and development with a view to eventual sale and profit.
Personally, I think Payero will be part of the squad this season and all these rumours have no credibility as far as letting Payero go. 😎
I have read your post, Ken, but not yet beyond it on this thread (I will do that later).
But Teesside County Borough was created in 1968, it was abolished in 1974 when it was replaced by Cleveland County Council (essentially Teesside plus the County Borough of Hartlepool), which was abolished in its turn in 1996. That last date is when 4 Unitary Authorities were created - Hartlepool, Stockton on Tees, Middlesbrough and Redcar & Cleveland (the first two reverting to County Durham and the last 2 reverting to North Yorkshire as their ceremonial counties), and that remains the current position. So both Teesside and Cleveland County were short-lived attempts to unify services in a connurbation based around the mouth of the Tees and, in the case of CCC, Hartlepool.
The problems with Langbaurgh as the name of one of Cleveland CC's districts included a perception that it must be in Wales as the name didn't seem very English and there was uncertainty as to its correct pronunication. It was renamed Langaurgh on Tees after a few years in an attempt to alleviate the first of those "issues" and the official pronunciation was said to be "LANGBARF". That District was called Redcar & Cleveland in 1996 when Cleveland CC was abolished, I guess because Redcar was the major town within the District and the seat of the District Administration later moved from Teesville/Eston into Redcar itself.
** Maybe I should have read the later posts before adding mine, because I see there have been responses by Powmill, Jarkko and Martin which touched on those issues. The problem is that, particularly if the thread is long, when one reads individual posts and a point arises, if you then spend time reading what follows you have forgotten the issue you wished to raise...
Let's hope Ken's health improves. It might be a very interesting season ahead, though I think it is unlikely I will get to the first match and maybe not to a couple in the first month of the season.
An interesting development next season which could affect the teams at the top of the Championship.
There’s been another rule change in the Championship ahead of the 2023/24 season start.
This could help those teams who have recently been relegated from the Premiership and have large squads of players who can make a difference to a game as an impact substitute.
Teams in the Sky Bet Championship will now be permitted to use five substitutes from a possible nine throughout matches in the 2023/24 season, the EFL has announced.
Previously restricted to just three changes from seven players on the bench, clubs in the second tier will now be able to mix and match more in games, giving managers more flexibility.
The decision has been made after consultation with all 24 sides in the second tier, including the newbies from League One and those relegated from the Premier League.
A statement from the EFL read: “Following a discussion by EFL Clubs regarding the number of substitutes named in matchday squads, Championship Clubs have opted to use five substitutes from nine named (an increase from seven named) from the 2023-24 season.
“In accordance with the League’s Articles of Association, each Division is able to propose and adopt amendments or alterations to a variety of fixture-related matters, including the number of substitutes.”
Although the change will come into immediate effect for the Championship, the same adjustment will not be made in League One and League Two.
Let’s hope the Boro can have an effective squad to make use of this change in the use of substitutes to gain promotion.
OFB
Ken,
Great to hear from you with another informative and information post for us all to read. Keep it up!
As far as football taking a back seat or a step back I think there's too much money involved and to be made in the 'world game' for it to ever do that, I reckon most, if not all non-cricketing nations see the game as an extension of our collective eccentricity.
All the best to you Ken,
UTB,
John