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NO more rows in the pub over Boro matters - let mfc.co.uk and our readers bring you the definitive answers.
Just send your Boro queries to website@mfc.co.uk and we'll post them here. We'll trawl trough the record books to help out and if that draws a blank, the best Boro brains around will then send in their own thoughts.
A special thank you to Shaun Wilson for all his help answering queries on this page.
Q: An obituary of a relative, Harry Smith, written in 1950, includes an interesting and amusing anecdote: "He was also a first-class referee, and on one occasion, in 1914, he caused a sensation by abandoning a Division One match between Middlesbrough and Oldham Athletic when a player refused to leave the field after being ordered to do so". I'd be interested in finding a contemporary report of this. It must have made the paper. To find it I'd need the date and venue of the fixture. Any help you can give would be very much appreciated.
Geoff Crighton
Website A: This famous incident took place in front of 5,000 fans at Ayresome Park on April 3 1915. Boro were leading 4-1 after 55 minutes with three goals from Walter Tinsley and one from Tommy Urwin. Visiting full-back Billy Cook, who had moments earlier fouled Jacky Carr to give Boro a penalty, brought the same player down and was sent off by the referee. Despite being urged to leave the field by skipper Charlie Roberts, Cook steadfastly refused and the referee was forced to abandon the game. Cook was subsequently banned for a year and the 4-1 scoreline stood. The Boro team was: Davies, Holmes, J Walker, Davidson, A Jackson, Malcolm, Storey, J Carr, Wilson, Tinsley, Urwin.
Q: I can't find any stats on my dad, Frederick Windsor Warren, who transferred to the Boro in 1930 and later moved on to Hearts.
Mike Warren
Website A: Nippy winger Freddy Warren joined Boro from his hometown side Cardiff City in January 1930 after Boro's management team travelled to South Wales to view one players and ended up signing three, the others being Jack Jennings and Joe Hillier. The combined fee for the trio was £8,500. All three made their debuts in a 4-1 defeat at Leicester in February 1930. Already a Wales international, his appearances were limited by injuries but he played well when fit. In all he made 164 league and cup appearances for the club in seven season, scoring an impressive 50 goals, before joining Hearts for £650 in May 1936. He won six caps for Wales, three while with Boro, scoring three goals for his country.
Q: I am researching the career of Jimmy Caskie. On May 2 1944 the Everton board minuted that there was no objecton to an approach being made to Caskie to play in a "charity match at Middlesbrough on May 13 for the benefit of the dependents of the late Mr Wilf Gillow of Middlesbrough FC". Do the records confirm that Caskie played?
DB Caskie, Glasgow
Q: I have a rather strange question for you. I'm wondering if you could help me with some names of your former football players? Could you tell me the first names of this player who played for Middlesbrough Ironopolis in the 1893/94 season - H Butterwick and J Bell?
Tore Stian Hansen, Norway
Q: An old sporting cap has come into my possession marked with MFC 1893-4-5 with the name RA Stevens written inside. Please could you tell me whether such a name appears in your club records for this period and if so how I might find out a bit more about him? Thanks for any help you can offer.
Richard Brimblecombe
Q: I attended a match on April 15 1989 v QPR (0-0 draw, away) and I am trying to obtain the team line-ups for the day. Is there anyone who could help with this information? Many thanks.
Peter Martin
Website A: The Boro side was Kevin Poole, Gary Parkinson, Colin Cooper, Tony Mowbray (c), Mark Proctor, Gary Pallister, Bernie Slaven, Alan Kernaghan, Stuart Ripley, Mark Burke, Gary Hamilton. Subs (unused): Paul Kerr, Peter Davenport. QPR line-up anyone?
Q: Can you tell me if theses kit manufactures and years are correct in Middlesbrough's history? Can you also tell me of the kit manufactures before these years to as far back as you can? Kit manufacturers 1976-1977 - Bukta; 1977-1983 - Adidas; 1984-1987 - Hummel; 1987-1992 - Skill; 1992-1994 - Admiral; 1994-2009 - Errea; 2009-present - Adidas.
Nick Henderson
Q: Who were Middlesbrough captains from 1956 to 1969 please?
P Conroy
Boro statto Shaun Wilson's A: Ronnie Dicks 1956-58, Brian Clough 1958-60, Ken Thomson 1960-63, Mel Nurse 1963-65, Ian Gibson 1965-66, Gordon Jones 1966-1971.
A: In response to the question from P Conroy asking who the Middlesbrough captains were from 1956-1969. The captains for the respective years are listed below.
1969-70 Gordon Jones
1968-69 Gordon Jones
1967-68 Gordon Jones
1966-67 Gordon Jones
1965-66 Ian Gibson
1964-65 Mel Nurse
1963-64 Mel Nurse
1962-63 Ken Thomson
1961-62 Ken Thomson
1960-61 Ken Thomson
1959-60 Brian Clough
1958-59 Brian Clough
1957-58 Ronnie Dicks
1956-57 Ronnie Dicks
1955-56 Bill Harris
Steve Stratton, Shoeburyness, Essex
Q: I've been working on our family history for a while and have learnt that a Great Uncle of mine played for Middlesbrough in the 50s - Charlie Wayman. I have always been aware of him but only in the last week or so decided to devote some time to trying to appreciate his career more - I picked up a couple of 1950s cigarette cards last night (featuring him as a Preston or Middlesbrough player) but also started work on a game-by-game record of his career. I was lucky enough to find a website that listed all of his games as a Newcastle player - but would love to find a list of games he featured in for Middlesbrough. At present all I know is that he transferred from Preston in 1954 and that in his time with Boro he made 55 appearances and scored 31 goals. What I was wondering is whether the club would have a record of his appearances.
Mal Skelton
Website A: Charlie Wayman signed from Preston for £8,000 in 1954. Although his best days were behind him, he still scored 31 goals in 55 league appearances and two in three cup appearances in two seasons with the club. The book Who's That Team They Call The Boro? lists the teams from every Boro game, season by season. He also played for Newcastle from 41-47 (32 goals in 47) Southampton from 47-50 (73 goals in 100), Preston from 50-54 (104 goals in 157) and Darlington from 56-58 (14 in 23).
Q: I am trying to find out the about my Grandad, Alex Boyd, who was signed by Middlesbrough in 1954 from a Northern Ireland team. I am told the transfer fee was around £8,000. I believe my Grandad's time at the club was short and not great and he returned home after what seemed huge move. Not sure if my Grandad played for the first team, but was just wondering if you have any information good or bad to why it never worked out and if you can get access to any memorabilia, eg transfer papers, pictures or match reports. My Grandad passed away many years ago and all l have is few stories, but no one is really sure what actually happened.
Roger Boyd
A: We don't have any information about Alex and he doesn't appear to have played in the first team. Can anyone else help?
Q: I'm trying to track down the following Boro home programme - 1972 League Cup third round, Boro v Tottenham at Ayresome Park. If anybody can help, please contact me at dermotmaclennan@aol.com and we'll discuss terms.
Dermot MacLennan
Q: I am looking for info on my first night match I went to. It was a game against Tampa Bay Rowdies in the late 1970s or early 80s. I remember being at the game with my Dad, but can't remember the score or team line up. Any help will be appreciated and team photos would be a great bonus.
Danny Brown
Q: Can anybody tell me if young Smallwood is in any way related to John "Mocka" Smallwood, from Dormanstown? Mocka was a good footballer when we were kids. He had rellies in Warrenby and used to come over often. John would be in his 70s now. I have fond memories of the friendlies (or small wars!) we had between us and Dormo, with only the Black Path to keep us apart.
Phil Wilson
Richard Smallwood's A: Yes, that's my Grandad!
I really enjoyed the article about the 1926/27 second division championship and the exploits of George Camsell that season. My late granddad, Jesse Williams, played outside-wing for the team that year and Camsell was my late father's godfather. It is nice to see stories of the old days gone by. The front/back items are from a trading card he appeared on in 1925 I believe and the unsigned postcard is from 1924 taken by the old ground at Ayresome Park, I am told. I also attached a couple others that were signed by him and someone is tracking down the names of the other players in the group photo for me but I believe that one was taken when he first signed with Boro. The cartoon appeared in his hometown newspaper after he was capped for Wales v Ireland in 1925 at the Racecourse Ground. From what I have been able to dig up myself, Jesse Thomas Williams made 37 League appearances between the 1924-27 seasons, scoring eight times. Most of his appearances (27) were during the 1924 season after signing with Boro in May for a transfer fee of £600 from Wrexham AFC. From 1925 to 1927 he appeared in only 10 league matches, scoring four times. He played mostly as a reserve in 1927 but appeared for the senior club four times, scoring against Grimsby Town on February 8 1927, during their noted Division Two championship run. After Boro he played at Clapton Orient in London with 31 League appearances over two seasons and three goals scored. He played in the Welsh National League and Birmingham League for nine more years until retiring at the end of 1936/37. This included playing with his brother Frank Harold at Rhyl FC, as well as at Ashton National, Wellington Town, Shrewsbury Town, and Colwyn Bay. Prior to joining Boro in 1924 he won a Welsh Cup against Merthyr Tydfil, where his strong play got him noticed and the transfer to Middlesbrough. Camsell and my granddad shared digs while he played in Middlesbrough. In fact, he met my grandmother while he played there as well so the family tree has extensive roots there. One day I will travel to England and visit your town and see where some of my roots were sprouted.
Martin Williams
I enjoyed reading the contribution (above) about Jesse Williams as he was my uncle - his wife, Jenny, was my father's sister. I knew he'd played for Leyton Orient (as they are now) and Wales but didn't know to what extent and I wasn't aware he'd also played for Middlesbrough. He moved to Canada when I was very young.
William Thornhill
Q: I was wondering, which season has seen the most goals at the Riverside? And how many was there?
Oliver Drake
Boro Statto Shaun Wilson's A: For league games only the most fruitful season in terms of goals was the 2010/11 season, where 69 goals were scored at the Riverside, 37 from Boro, at a total average of three goals per game. However, if you include cup games then it was 2005/06, when there was an amazing 96 goals, with Boro notching 56 of them, with a total average of 3.1 goals per game. To complete the stat attack, the 1996/97 season was the highest average goals per game, with 91 goals (60 from Boro) from 26 games, at an average of a staggering 3.5 goals per game.
A: In the 1997/98 season in Division One, Boro scored 61 goals in total (51 in the League, seven in the League Cup and three in the FA Cup). This was closely followed by the 2005/06 season with 56 Boro goals (28 League, 16 UEFA Cup, ten FA Cup, two League Cup).
David Tooth
Q: Does anyone have a copy of the Sports Gazette in November 1947 when Wilfie played a blinder against Blackpool. There must be one out there somewhere. I have looked in Middlesbrough Reference Library and although there are numerous reports about the match, also featuring in many nationals, the Sports Gazette is not among them. Cliff Mitchell wrote a front page summary and also the detailed report inside. I kept a copy for years but my Dad lit the fire with it!
John Dobson, Boro supporter since 1946
Q: Could anyone give details of Willie Maddren's testimonial game?
Stewart Deans
Boro Statto Shaun Wilson's A: Willie Maddren's testimonial was played on May 9 1978. A crowd of 18,000 attended the match at Ayresome Park as Boro drew 5-5 with a Scotland XI. The Boro team was David Brown, John Craggs, Ian Bailey, John Mahoney, Stuart Boam, Alan Ramage, David Mills, Stan Cummins, Billy Ashcroft, Micky Burns (guest), David Armstrong. Goalscorers: Ashcroft (3), Cummins, Armstrong (pen). The Scotland team included Bobby Kerr, Gordon McQueen, Derek Johnstone, Ian Wallace, Jim Blyth, Tommy Hutchinson, Kenny Burns, Archie Gemmill, John Robertson, Sandy Jardine, John Greig and Martin Buchan.
A: May 9 1978, Willie Maddren Testimonial v Scotland (5-5), attendance 18,000 - I have a copy of the program.
Dr Keith J Williams
Q: I'd like to find out did Middlesbrough FC used be called Middlesbrough AFC. I have read on Wikipedia that they were called Football Athletic Club 1986 Ltd. Was it the phoenix club or the actual full name? Which seasons did they play as AFC?
James Taylor, Woking, Surrey
Website A: Since being saved in 1986, the club's legal name has been Middlesbrough Football and Athletic Company (1986) Limited. But can anyone provide any further historical background?
A: In response to a question from James Taylor regarding the name of Middlesbrough AFC. In 1942 the name of the club was Middlesbrough Football & Athletic Co Ltd. I do not know anything else before this date. Please see picture.
Steve Stratton, Shoeburyness, Essex
Q: The new Sky Football Yearbook again says our most capped player is Wilf Mannion with 26. I seem to remember my late father sending me a Gazette cutting saying Mark Schwarzer had beaten that with Australia caps while playing for us. Could you please confirm which is correct?
David Nixon, Hampshire
Website reply: Wilf Mannion is our most-capped England player with 26. However, you're quite correct, Mark Schwarzer is our most-capped player for all nations.
Q: I am researching at article on the subject of successful footballers who came from the village of Cockfield, near Bishop Auckland, Co Durham. Could you please therefore email me details of Boro players John Holliday, who was transferred from Middlesbrough to Brentford about 1931, and Neville Chapman, who played regularly for Boro during the 1960s. Details of appearances, goals scored and photographs would be greatly appreciated.
John Neville Kirby
Website A: Centre-forward Johnny Holliday was born in Cockfield on December 12 1908 and joined Boro from his local team in 1930. Cances were few and far between as Holliday was deputy to the great George Camsell. However, he scored here goals in three games in 1930-31 and added another the following year, when he also played three games. He joined Brentford in 1932 for £500 and helped them win successive promotions. He was one of five former Boro players who played for the Bees in a 3-0 defeat at Ayresome Park in November 1936. Fll-back Nev Chapman was also born in the village, on September 15 1941. Although never a regular, he has the distinction of being the first Boro players to be substituted. He played 58 league and cup games and made two sub appearances. He also played 32 times for Darlington from 1967 to 1969. He was killed in a road accident in 1993 while working as a tanker driver.
Does anyone have an pictures of either player?
Q: My father has an 1898 FA Amateur Cup winners' medal, handed down through the family by my great-great Grandfather, who won it playing for Middlesbrough. His name was Walter Starling, but I don't have any other information on him. Is there any info at the club?
Alan Magor
A: Further to the question from Alan Magor about his great-great-Grandfather, Walter Starling, and the responses given, I can confirm that an R 'Cock' Starling played for Boro during the 1896-97 season. I have no record of him being called Walter, nor do I know what the initial R stood for. However, Starling made his Middlesbrough reserves (or Swifts) debut in November 1897 and made his Middlesbrough first team debut on Christmas Day 1896 in a 2-0 Northern League home win over Darlington St Augustine's as the club's directors (who selected the team back then) introduced new players after some disappointing Northern League results and an 8-1 FA Cup defeat to Hebburn Argyle two weeks earlier. Chris 'Kit' Mann, Jimmy Jones and C Smith also made their Middlesbrough Northern League debuts that day. Starling played at outside-left in place of Geoff Longstaffe and became the automatic choice in that position for the remainder of that season, playing in the Cleveland Cup final in March 1897, a 2-1 win over Darlington. On May 28 1897, Starling helped Northern League title-winning Middlesbrough finish the season in style with a goal in a 3-0 home win over South Bank. However, that appears to have been Starling's last game for Boro as there is no record of him being at the club for the 1897-98 season when Middlesbrough won the FA Amateur Cup for the second time in three years. It seems therefore unlikely that the medal Mr Magor has in his possession relates to Middlesbrough FC.
Dave Allan
Boro statto Shaun Wilson's A: Further to my earlier email about R (Walter?) Starling. I've found a Stockton FC line-up from 1902/03 with R Starling on. I've a feeling the medal Mr Magor has got is the winning medal from Stockton's win in 1903. http://www.picturestockton.co.uk/viewpage.aspx?id=5085
A: This might be of some help to Alan Magor. In the 1901 census, Walter Starling was working at a steelworks as a loco driver on a blast furnace. He was 31 years old at this time. He was born at Colinge in Suffolk (near Newmarket).
John Dobson
Update from Alan Magor: Many thanks for keeping up the search! Been doing a bit myself and it gets more and more complicated by the minute. My ancestor's name was definitely Walter Starling - as confirmed by my Grandmother (his granddaughter), and she has never known him to be referred to as 'R' or 'Cock' in the past - so it seems unlikely to be him. However, having researched the Amateur Cup final of 1898, his name certainly doesn't appear on the Middlesbrough team sheet either. The family story has always been that Walter Starling won the Amateur Cup with Middlesbrough in 1898, but this doesn't appear to have been the case. The medal is definitely a Middlesbrough FC winners' medal, and definitely from 1898 as it says as much on the presentation case. I've taken a couple of photos - one of the case with inscription and one of the actual medal - which are attached to this email for you and the Boro historian to take a look at. I'm told the medal originally had a metal football in the centre of the bar going across under the banner at the top (you can actually see where it's broken off in the image). The central inscription on the shield clearly gives the initials 'W.S.' - which would coincide with Walter Starling, but it seems he never played in the game, or possibly for Boro at all! The maker's mark on the silk says it was made by Vaughton & Sons Gothic Works, Birmingham.
Q: I am trying to find out all the details of a player called Harry Kirk. My uncle says he knew him. When did he sign for Boro, first team appearances, goals scored, when he was sold and to whom (Third Lanark I think)?
Ralph Atkinson
Website A: Born in Saltcoats on August 25 1944, Harry joined Boro from Scottish ICI works team Ardeer Athletic in May 1963 for £500. He made his debut at outside-left in a 2-2 draw with Rotherham at Ayresome Park in the 1963-4 season. His only other appearance was in a shock League Cup defeat against Bradford in early October. He didn't score in either game. Released at the end of the season, he joined Third Lanark, later having spells with Dumbarton, Kilmarnock, Darlington, Hartlepool, Scunthorpe and Stockport.
NEW ANSWERSQ: Can you help me with this one? Who is Boro's all-time top Premier League scorer? I can't work out if it is Juninho, Viduka or Yakubu or maybe someone else.
Jeff Robertson
Boro statto Shaun Wilson replies:
1. Hamilton Ricard - 31 goals
2. Juninho - 29 goals
3. Mark Viduka - 26 goals
4. Yakubu - 25 goals
5. Szilard Nemeth and Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink - 23 goals
A: I believe it was actually Hamilton Ricard. Ricard scored 31 EPL goals for Boro, Juninho 27, Viduka 26, Yakubu 25.
Alan Magor
A: Hamilton Ricard is the all-time top scorer for the mighty Boro in the EPL!
Lee Kirk
Q: I am looking for the team line-ups from the friendly match played by Middlesbrough at home to Aberdeen on January 31 1953. Middlesbrough won by six goals to three. Thank you.
Steve Bell
Boro statto Shaun Wilson's A:
Aberdeen: Martin, Mitchell, Shaw, Ewen, Smith, Allister, Rodger, McNeill, Buckley, Yorston, Hather
Goalscorers: Hather, Buckley, Rodger
Boro: Ugolini, Corbett, Delapenha, Bell, Whittaker, Fitzsimons, Spuhler, Mannion, McCrae, Gordon, Dicks.
Goalscorers: Mannion, Spuhler 4, Fitzsimons
Q: I am led to believe that one of my ancestors was the first chairman of Middlesbrough Football Club, his name was Robert Forrester, can you please confirm if this is true or not. Many thanks
Katy Russell-Duff
Boro statto Shaun Wilson's A: Bob Forrester wasn't the first Boro chairman, but he was at the helm in one of the most important eras of the club, between 1893 and 1899. In 1898, when we were taking part in the FA Amateur Cup, there was a smallpox epidemic in the area. Boro were drawn to play Thornaby in the semi-final at Darlington. The Darlington population protested, as they were naturally concerned that the arrival of hundreds of football supporters would bring the infectious disease to Darlington. The club then received a telegram from the FA requesting us to withdraw from the competition. At a special meeting of directors in March 1898, a furious Bob Forrester refused the suggestion. The semi-final was rearranged and played in secret behind locked gates in Brotton, East Cleveland. Boro duly won the game and then lifted the cup when beating Uxbridge 2-0. A year or so later, in February 1899, another meeting was held by chairman Bob Forrester. A decision was made that the club would run a professional club the following season (1899/00). Forrester then oversaw the raising of capital which would allow us to turn professional. Unfortunately with just three months till the club kicked off in the Football League for the first ever time, former Boro player Alf Mattison challenged Forrester's position as chairman. This led to a vote, which Mattison won. He was then appointed chairman and Forrester resigned from the board. So Forrester was chairman when Boro won the FA Amateur Cup in 1895 and 1898, as well as making the decision to turn the club professional.
Q: I'm trying to piece together some information about former footballer Robert 'Bobby' Stuart (October 9 1913 to 1987), but so far, all I have is a Wikipedia stub saying he played for Middlesbrough and scored five own goals during the 1934-35 season. Do you have any other information about him, specifically how many appearances/league matches he played for the club, goals, own goals, bookings/red cards etc?
Magnus Grøteig
Website A: Bobby Stuart was born in Middlesbrough on October 9 1913. An accomplished left-back, his own goal feat came as a result of his role in standing on the line to assist the goalkeeper. Unfortunately he ended up kicking the ball into his own net as he tried to clear. He played 268 league and cup appearances for Boro from 1931 to 1947, scoring twice at the right end. He won England schoolboy honours and played two England trial games in 1936. He played 20 games for Plymouth from 1947 to 1948 after leaving Boro.
Q: I am trying to track down the details of the Brighton team for their 9-0 defeat at Middlesbrough on 23 August 1958. Would you be able to look through your archives? Id be grateful if you could email these details. I would also be interested in purchasing a programme of this game if it still exists. My uncle (Ron King) played for Brighton during this time (I assume as a defender) and only told me last week that he remembers Cloughie scoring five past him! Would be grateful for your help
Wayne
Boro statto Shaun Wilson's A: Brighton's team that day was Hollins, Tennant, Ellis, Bertolini, Whitfield, Wilson, Gordon, Shepherd, Sexton, Foreman, Howard. Unfortunately we can't find anyone by the name of Ron King who has played for Brighton.
Dr Keith J Williams
Q: Having supported the Boro for more years than I care to remember, it is interesting that there is one team from years ago that sticks in my memory. I can recall the names of individual players over the years, but the team I remember best is: Ugolini, Robinson, Hardwick, Bell, Whittaker, Gordon, Delapenha, Mannion Spuhler, McCrae, Walker. I may have misspelt the odd name, but they were a terrific team and I would be interested to know if any of them are still alive today. Thanks.
John Farrow
Website A: Sadly, most of these players have now passed away, but Rolando Ugolini is fit and well and living in Glasgow, while Lindy Delapenha is still alive and living in Jamaica and Harry Bell lives in the Tyneside area.
Q: I have a Facebook a page dedicated to former Boro player Ray Hankin on and I have a question: Can you confirm that he once scored a chip against Shrewsbury on the last game of the season which secured safety from relegation to Division Three. I think I remember reading this in a programme from 1983.
Castleman
Website A: Ray Hankin scored his solitary league goal for Boro against Shrewsbury with the winner in a 2-1 victory at Ayresome Park in March 1983. However, the game where Boro achieved safety with a last day 2-0 win at Gay Meadow was two seasons later on May 11 1985, with Brian Laws and Peter Beagrie the scorers. Boro last 2-1 at the same ground a year later and finally slipped into Division Three.
Q: I believe that Pat Crerand made his Scotland U23 debut in a game against England at Ayresome Park in the 1960s. Does anyone know the actual date?
Andrew Hine
Boro statto Shaun Wilson' A: There was an U23 international between England and Scotland played at Ayresome Park in the 60s. The date was March 1 1960 and Scotland were the victors, 1-0, Denis Law with the goal. I haven't got the Scotland line-up, but Paddy Crerand would have been 21 at the time, so could well have played in the game.
Q: Please settle an argument. Has the Boro's stadium had more than one name over the years? If what were (are) they?
Andrew Wilkinson
Website A: Boro's new stadium was originally the Cellnet Riverside Stadium after its sponsor and then the BT Cellnet Riverside Stadium when the company's name changed. It is now, of course, simply the Riverside Stadium, although very occasionally fans still refer to it as "the Cellnet". Our picture shows work underway to "rebrand" ther Riverside.
Q: In 1959 I attended a Saturday game when my then boyfriend, who played for Scunthorpe United was at Middlesbrough. I am trying to find the exact date that it was played. On the Statto.com site, it was October 3, but I was sure it was before that. I would be very grateful if you could look in your archives.
Lena
Website A: Boro beat Scunthorpe 6-1 at Ayresome Park on November 8 1958 (Clough 3, Peacock 3). The following season on October 3 1959 the sides met at Ayresome Park again, Boro winning 3-1 (Fernie, Clough 2).
Q: What team played against Middlesborough recently wearing pink shirts?
Sue Davis
Website A: Three years ago, on September 30 2007, Everton wore pink shirts against Boro for Ladies Day at Goodison Park, promoting breast cancer awareness. Everton won the game 2-0.
A: Follow up on the question from Sue Davis regarding a team in pink shirts playing against Boro. The website says that it was Everton in September 2007. However, this picture from the match clearly shows Everton in their normal blue shirts.
David Tooth
Q: I live in Canada and years ago met a guy called Bernie Rushton who claimed to play goalkeeper in the 1950s for Middlesbrough and was room-mate of Brian Clough, could anyone confirm this.
David Smith
Website A: Nobody by that name ever played for our first team, but it's possible that he was a reserve or youth team player.
Previous questions - some with updated answers
Q: Please settle an argument. It has been suggested that Boro played Manchester City at Maine Road and Boro wore Manchester United shirts for the game. Is this true? If so, what were the circumstances? Also, when was it? Apparently it was in the early days of shirt sponsorship (whenever that was) and televised games were not allowed to show such advertising. The live TV game was postponed or something and a substitute game had to be found. Because Boro were not due to be on live TV they took their sponsored shirts with them. The game at City was chosen for the live match so Boro had to find some shirts without sponsorship. Manchester United came to the rescue and provided red shirts.
Mel Pearce
Boro statto Shaun Wilson's A: It was in game played in 1981, when we took our Datsun Cleveland sponsored shirts for a game at Maine Road versus Manchester City. Due to the live game being switched to Maine Road, the Boro kitman was sent to Old Trafford to garner a set of strips for Boro to play in!
Q: I was asked a question which I think you may know the answer to. The question is have there ever been any Spanish players to have played for Middlesbrough FC?
Paul Wilson
Website A: Gaizka Mendieta is the only one.
Boro statto Shaun Wilson's A: In addition to Gaizka Mendieta, the former Barcelona midfielder Jose Mari Bakero spent the 1997/98 pre-season on trial at the Riverside Stadium. He played in three friendly games before manager Bryan Robson decided against signing the ex-Spain international.
Q: I am not sure whether you would be able to help. I have been trying to find out if there are any old photos or articles relating to my husband's grandfather as a surprise for him. His grandfather played for Boro between 1922 and 1924 I believe and his name was Walter Gibson Bottrill. He was also sometimes known as Billy. If you have any suggestions as to where I might be able to find anything I would be extremely grateful. Thank you for taking the time to read this.
Vicky Holmes
Website A: Born in South Bank, played 17 games for Boro, mainly at outside-right, from 1922 to 1924, scoring one goal. He later played for Rotherham, York, Wolves, Huddersfield and Chesterfield. He was top scorer in York's first ever league season and scored their first league hat-trick. Some sources give his first name as William. Unfortunately there are no pictures of Walter in the book, The Boro Alphabet. Can anyone else help?
Q: My friend has found a programme left by his father and is dated July 20 1952, the day he was born. My friend would like to know who Middlesbrough played that day. As he believes his father may have been watching the match while his mother was giving birth. Can you help me find the answer for him please?
Alison Goodyer
Website A: The 1952-53 season did not start until a 1-0 win at Burnley on August 23 1952. Therefore it sounds like this game may have been a pre-season friendly. We don't have any records for these but one of our readers might be able to help.
Boro statto Shaun Wilson's A: We definitely didn't play a game that day. In those days we only played trial matches and the two we played that pre-season were in August. Also, July 20 1952 fell on a Sunday, when games were a definite no no.
Q: Who was Boro's first signing under the Bosman Ruling?
PJ Maggs
Website A: Danish international Mikkel Beck took this honour when he signed from Fortuna Cologne shortly before the Euro 96 finals. Despite being at the club during one of the most eventful spells in their history, he never really fulfilled the high expectations of him. Fortuna wanted £1m for him and it took a long legal wrangle before he was able to make his Boro debut, scoring in a coca-Cola Cup win over Hereford. Highlights of his time with the club included scoring in the 1997 FA Cup and Coca-Cola Cup semi-finals and finishing as league top scorer in the 1998-99 promotion season. In all he made 85 starts and 31 substitute appearances, scoring 31 goals, before joining Derby County in March 1999 for £500,000.
Q: I hope you can help. We are looking for a video copy of the Middlesbrough v Wycombe Wanderers 1998/99 Coca-Cola Cup game (September 1998) at the Riverside. My partner was the Wycombe goalkeeper for the game, and we have sadly misplaced the copy we had.
Miss Eddy Adair
Website A: Can anyone assist?
Q: My name is Melissa and I am the great niece of Bob Dennison. Are you able to tell me what his wife's name was and also his children? Even better, do you have contact details for either? My father who is 82 would like to find out what happened with his family. We do know that Bob died in 1996 aged 84 in Kent.
Melissa Marks
Website A: If anyone has any information we will forward it to Melissa.
Q: I'm just finishing a WBA history and I'm looking for details of a Boro v WBA game from 1892. It was a friendly, but my comprehensive history of the Albion will cover every game they've played since 1878. As you can see, I have the Albion team, plus some match details, but for 99.9% of the other 7,000-plus games I'm including. I have full match details, both teams, referee and attendance. Have you anything?
Henry Myatt
Boro historian Harry Glasper's A: I checked on my database and found that I have a "suggested" line-up from a pre-match newspaper piece. The line-up was listed as HG Mackay, R Crone, J McManus, J Roberts, J Stott, T Bach, T Cronshaw, B Lewis, J McKnight, __ Abraham, DG Black.
Boro statto Shaun Wilson's A: I'm afraid I haven't got the full Boro line-up but do have a small match report from the South Durham and Cleveland Mercury dated September 10 1892. I can remember checking in the library a while ago and it states in the Gazette of the time that a full match report would be in a special 'Sports' on that night. Unfortunately Middlesbrough Library didn't have that copy.
"September 7 1892, Middlesbrough 7 West Bromwich Albion 2 - On Wednesday night these teams met on the Linthorpe Road Ground. Middlesbrough, before 2,000 spectators, the home team pressing as soon as they started, and kept it up throughout the game. About a quarter of an hour after the start Black scored in splendid style. After a run up to the other end of the field the Middlesbrough team were very near the visitors goal again, and Lewis scored the second goal. Not many minutes after this, another point was added to the homesters score. Abrahams registering, and soon after a scrimmage in front of the West Bromwich goal resulted in Black scoring again with a low shot. After this the visitors displayed more energy, and just before the whistle blew for half time a free kick resulted in their first goal. On crossing over the home players got the ball and made many attempts to score, but without avail. A short visit to the Middlesbrough territory was followed by an assault on the homesters' goal, but it was futile. Subsequently the visitors goal was again assailed, and Lewis got through the back division and shot the ball through, but offside was claimed and allowed. Shortly after another attack from Middlesbrough proved more successful and Cronshaw registered with a very clever shot. The homesters pressed and from a foul Roberts put in a splendid centre and it was got away, but Crone returned it and just escaped scoring. During the remainder of the game the Albion had a bit better luck, but in spite of this another scrimmage in front of their goal resulted in another score for the home team. The seventh and last was a good goal scored by Black."
Looking at the match report above I can make out that: Middlesbrough: Crone, Roberts, Cronshaw, Black, Lewis, Abrahams all played. Just not sure on the other five.
Q: Middlesbrough played a friendly match against GAIS 1967 at home, can anybody tell me the result. I have a friend in Gothenburg who supports GAIS but we don't know what the score was. My friend has a match programme March 14 1967, kick of 7.15pm. Maybe this helps. Hope we can find the result!
Gary Wardell
A: I have a vague recollection of us playing GAIS in the mid-to-late 60s. It was fashionable for us to play continental, and usually lacklustre, opposition in pre- or end- of- season friendlies. Sparta Rotterdam also springs to mind.
Gerard Finn
Website A: We can't find a record of any team called GAIS. Boro played a Dutch team called Go Ahead Deventer at Ayresome Park on April 8 1968. Could this be the same team? The following month, we went on a Holland/Germany Tour, playing Leeuwarden on May 16 (2-0 win, Hickton and Masson) then Bremerhaven on May 18 (1-0 win, Horsfield).
A: Boro did indeed play GAIS of Gothenburg in a friendly at Ayresome Park on the above date. A crowd of 8,127 saw Boro win 4-1, with John O'Rourke scoring all four goals. Boro team: Whigham, Gates, Butler, Hickton, Rooks, Jones, Chadwick, Irvine, O'Rourke, McMordie, Downing.
In the second half Boro brought on McPartland for Whigham and 16-year-old Joe Laidlaw came on for McMordie. Hasse Samuelson scored for the Swedish team. Can't believe you have no record of it!
Ian Tewson
A: Boro played friendlies in Ireland at the end of the 1951/52 season but NOT in July. They played the following:
May 8 52 Glentoran W 3-0 A
May 9 52 Glenavon W 3-0 A
May 11 52 Cork W 5-1 A
May 14 52 Drumcondra W 6-1 A
I agree with the comments about the GAIS Gothenburg match. I have the program for that and it was 4-1. Boro v Go Ahead Deventer -played them away on April 22 1970 and at home on April 8 1968. Boro lost the home game 1-3 and the scorers were Hickton, Hoekema (2) and Veenstra.
Dr Keith J Williams
Q: In 1937 Stoke City presented Boro with a Loving Cup, which is drunk before the first home match of the New Year. Can you tell me if they still carry out this ceremony and do they still have the Loving Cup?
Roy Lochrie
Boro statto Shaun Wilson's A: The Loving Cup was presented by Stoke City to 30 football clubs in 1937. Only 30 Loving Cups were made, to celebrate the coronation of King George VI and Queen Elizabeth (the late Queen Mother). The then Stoke City president, Sir Francis Joseph, requested that the vessel be used to drink the health of the reigning monarch on the occasion of the first home match of each year. I've tried to track the whereabouts of the cup presented to Middlesbrough for many years now but alas have hit a blank. The only club I know who regularly carry out the tradition is Glasgow Rangers. Their cup is pictured below.
Q: My father-in law, Frank Mulholland, used to play for Boro in the early 50s, along with Wilf Mannion, Brian Clough etc. He died recently and we were going through his memorabilia when I wondered would there be any footage of some of the games he played in available. He has a large family here in Belfast and we would love to have the opportunity to, just once perhaps, see him in action rather than just hear the wonderful stories from some of the family who did see him play. I know that it's a bit of a long shot, but Middlesbrough have always been generous in inviting him over to past players nights and he revelled in the company of his former teammates. If you can help me or even point me in the right direction, we, as a family, would really appreciate it, thanks again guys.
Paul MacCabe
Q: I am hoping that you may be able to help me (or point me in the right direction) to obtain some information about a "Father Francis" - a Franciscan Monk who, I am led to believe, served one of the parishes in Middlesbrough in the early 1950s and had a very close involvement with Middlesbrough Football Club at that time. An elderly friend asked me recently if I had ever heard of Father Francis as he remembers him well from his earlier years and particularly the services he conducted when he was in Middlesbrough. These services were well attended by players, management and staff. Despite a lengthy Internet search and contacting my relatives still in Teesside, I cannot seem to find out any further information about this celebrated monk.
Richard Lloyd
A: The website of the British Franciscans is www.friar.org - might be worth asking the question there. Also the Diocese of Middlesbrough lists a few priests named Francis who would have been alive in 50s - email archives@dioceseofmiddlesbrough.co.uk Good luck!
Gerard Finn
Send your questions and answers to website@mfc.co.uk.
