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THAT'S WHY WE'RE PREMIER LEAGUE 21-2-06
As I wandered the National Football Museum at Preston North End's Deepdale Stadium on Sunday, I couldn't help but be taken aback by the amount of history our beloved sport has. Football, you see, is better than any soap opera or any reality television programme. In the famous words of Bill Shankly, "Some people think that football is a matter of life and death. I can assure you, it's much more important than that".
Indeed, I was fascinated to read some of the amazing stories about how football began, about how we, the English, invented football and about things I simply didn't know that I felt I should have known.
Such things as Preston won the first ever football league, which consisted of twelve teams, six northern and six from the midlands. Neither England nor Scotland entered the first ever World Cup, because they felt they didn't have to prove to anyone that they were the best in the world.
And that in 1919 Arsenal won promotion to the top division (where they have remained ever since) despite finishing fifth below rivals Tottenham and Barnsley, who only made it to England's top flight in 1997, and were instantly relegated. Now don't get me wrong, I'm not one for museums, but this was an education in football.
It was as I roamed that I bumped into none other than ComeOnBoro.com's resident ref, Graham Frankland. We spoke briefly and I said to him, "They reckon it's a full house today". "Yeah", he replied, "should be good". So where I am going with this, I hear you cry?
It was my chat with Graham that got me thinking. Yeah, this should be good. This will be good. Here we are, just a small town in Europe, having battled against all the odds from day one of our very existence, going to play Preston North End, who as I mentioned were the first ever winners of the Football League in 1889, in the same year Middlesbrough Football Club turned professional.
As I climbed the stairs to my seat amongst the other 3000 or so Boro fans, my passion for our club had never been stronger. During my pre match pint, I had worked myself into such a state that I would have killed for the Boro on Sunday afternoon. Sitting as close to the Preston fans as I was only added to my burning enthusiasm.
The first half began, and ended, and nothing much happened in between. Mendieta looked too slow and weak, Rochemback had gone off injured and Yakubu couldn't hold the ball up for as long as two seconds. The banter between the fans was the undoubted highlight.
Chants from North End fans like, "Going down", "Premier League, your havin' a laugh", "You've only had one shot" and "your shit, and you talk funny" were met with vengeful retaliation by the away minority, but at half-time, worry was beginning to creep in. Preston, unbeaten since September, were growing in confidence and the second half looked ominous.
That was, until the introduction of Jimmy Floyd Hasslebaink. Yet again, Jimmy raised the tempo of the whole game, and just six minutes after his arrival, we were 1-0 up. Whether it's because players are scared of him or in admiration of him, Jimmy has still got it.
Yakubu's powerful burst and text book finish showed the difference in class, and it was our turn to taunt. "We've only had one shot" was certainly popular, but one chant stood apart. Before the ball had even nestled in Carlo's net, we were jeering, "That's why we're Premier League".
It would appear that we have finally turned that elusive corner, the same one we have been trying to turn for most of the season. Four wins out of four is proof if ever any were needed. Franck is back, and despite the haircut, he looks like he's never been away, while cries for Riggott making the World Cup squad are rather optimistic. Him being made the next Boro captain is a more realistic bet. Confidence within the squad must be sky high, and right now we need as many games as we can to keep this run going.
It's almost becoming the purpose of this weekly column, but yet again it must be reiterated; we are not yet safe. If we beat Stuttgart on Thursday we will have recorded five wins out of five, and yet only picked up three league points. Given half a chance, I would gladly take all fifteen points in exchange for our positions in the Uefa and FA Cups, both tournaments we are unlikely to win.
The reason I mention relegation again is not to be negative or pessimistic, far from it. The players, the chairman, the manager and everyone associated with the club needs supporting from here until the end of the season. Fans may have disagreements with each other about the manager, the players and the tactics, but at the end of the day we are all united in our ever lasting love for Middlesbrough Football Club.
We fans are superb. We have got the club to where we are today. Some more than others, in Steve Gibson's case, but nonetheless each fan has contributed. Our success is down to the unity between fans in support of MFC. That's why we're Premier League, that why we will be Premier League come next August.
Ideally, by next Sunday evening we will have recorded six wins out of six, the perfect tonic for a 4-0 home spanking. Winning needs to become habitual, as does keeping our stars fit.
From now until the season's close, we need all the support we can muster. All I can do is encourage any Boro fan who can attend any game to do so. Prices are high, but if you can afford to go, your club needs you.
It's going to be a real battle from now until the end of the season, but it's a battle we are more than capable of winning. What Graham said at the Preston match really applies to the rest of our season, "It should be good".
Same time next week... UP THE BORO!!
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