 |
|
|
|
BACK TO ARCHIVE INDEX
© All written site content is copyright ComeOnBoro.com 2004-2007, unless otherwise stated, and is not to be used without prior permission. |
|
MIDDLESBROUGH v LIVERPOOL - BORO LOOK TO WOO BACK FANS
Middlesbrough have launched a recruitment drive to win back the stay-away fans as they attempt to build a "Boro nation".
The Teessiders will hope to be granted special dispensation for their manager Gareth Southgate to remain in charge until he can enrol on the UEFA Pro Licence course when the Premier League board meets on Wednesday.
However in the meantime, they are desperate to win over those supporters who have left up to 10,000 seats empty for some games at the Riverside Stadium so far this season.
Attendances are down on average by 1,800 a game on the first six home fixtures of last season, and Lamb and chairman Steve Gibson are keen to get the disaffected out of the pubs and clubs and back into the stands.
Lamb said: "Steve Gibson and I cannot pretend that we are not disappointed with our early season attendances.
"Those fans who have been at the games have given us excellent support and we are certainly not critical of them.
"We understand that there are many good reasons why people cannot make it to the game. But there is no substitute for actually being at the Riverside cheering on the team
"Certainly that experience cannot be bettered by standing in a pub watching a big screen, often with no commentary.
"I know that the Premier League share our view with regards to the illegal broadcasts I am referring to.
"They, like Sky, are determined to stamp out such broadcasts by pubs and clubs around the country."
Boro face Liverpool in a televised game tomorrow evening when they will hope to improve upon the 25,898 spectators who watched last weekend's 1-0 win over West Ham.
And in an echo of former Newcastle chairman Sir John Hall's hopes of building a Geordie nation, Lamb is hoping the presence of so many locally-born players - Jonathan Woodgate, Andrew Taylor, Andrew Davies, James Morrison, Lee Cattermole and Stewart Downing all started against the Hammers - will help to fulfil a similar dream.
He told the club's official website, www.mfc.co.uk: "I well remember, back in 1991, Sir John Hall announcing the arrival of 'the Geordie nation' when he took over at Newcastle United.
"But I think it is fair to say they never got anywhere near the Boro nation at the Riverside at present.
"At Middlesbrough, we have worked hard to create a special environment that has allowed so many excellent young prospects to prosper and develop to the point they are able to hold their own in our first team.
"It is a situation that many fans have dreamed of, and now it is reality.
"Under the guidance of Gareth Southgate and his staff, those young players will be given every opportunity to fulfil their obvious potential.
"But their progress can be all the more impressive with the support of the people of Teesside - the very people they represent out there on the pitch."
BACK TO LIVERPOOL MATCH PROGRAMME INDEX
|
|
|
|
|
Sitemap || Search Site || Terms and Privacy || Set as Homepage || Bookmark Site |
| This website designed, maintained and managed by Waking Lion ©2004-2008 |
