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CHAIRMAN’S CALL TO BACK THE BORO
By Middlesbrough FC
Steve Gibson predicts Boro will make big strides in the right direction next season – but he has called on the supporters to back the club’s ambitions.
The Boro Chairman believes Gareth Southgate is building a squad capable of competing at the highest level and promises to back the manager by signing “the best global talent”.
Speaking exclusively for a DVD that is being sent to all existing season card holders, Gibson says that the people of Teesside should be proud of a club that is the flagship of the town.
“The groundwork is in place for the team and the club to really go forward next season,” he says.
“We want to bring the best that we can to this club. We have a search for global talent. We want to be in a position to be able to attract the best world talent.
“We’ve done that with Alves, Tuncay and others and just look what we’ve done in the past with the likes of Juninho, Ravanelli and Merson.”
Gibson stresses that the club is nothing without the supporters – but asks for their support, preferably as season card holders.
“The fans are everything,” he says. “Without them, there’s no point in us being here. We need their vocal and financial support for all games, not just the big fixtures, and we want full houses.”
Asked what message he would give supporters who are considering buying a 2008-09 season card, he reminds fans of the achievements of the Riverside era that has seen more than a decade of unbroken Premier League football, five cup finals, two European runs and the club’s first major trophy.
“Look at the last 10 years,” he replies. “We understand we’ve had some inevitable lows but look at the tremendous highs we’ve had.
“Be proud of the club, get behind the club, get behind this manager – and we will do everything we can to produce a team that the town and the fans can be proud of.”
Boro manager Gareth Southgate added: “I won’t make any empty promises by predicting that we’ll achieve a top four finish or qualify for Europe next season.
“But I can tell you that my sights are firmly set on us breaking into the top half of the table where those type of targets become achievable.
“Fans can be assured that we will do everything we can to further improve the squad over the close season as we continue our policy of bringing youth and pace into the side.”
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