As Michael Ricketts has departed The Riverside for the final time for a new career with a club whose achievements match his ability, most Boro fans celebrated this 'cutting of losses'.
But all of the bigotry and prejudice that we had aimed at the one time England man could not sway the opinion of a few who saw the positive side to Michael's contribution to the Boro cause over the last couple of seasons.
Our good friend Ben Ferguson, aka Timmy Mallett Loves Carling could barely contain his emotions when the transfer was announced and has poetically recalled the night at White Hart Lane when Mickey put us on our way to Cardiff.
White Hart Lane Home Supporters
A cold December night down at the Lane
We sat and watched in the pouring rain
An early lead did Tottenham take
'We'll still win this' my mate doth spake
Chances came and chances went
The best one by Ricketts but it was spent
He rounded Keller the Spurs fans were fretting
But Big Mick could only find the side netting
Our half time pint was bitter and cold
We hoped our team would not just fold
We took our seats with hope aloud
And the Boro fans did Teesside proud
The second half was Boro more or less
As the red tide started to impress
There seemed no way past Keller the Yank
But 3 minutes from time struck the Boro tank
A quick turn, a shot and a wonderful goal
Big Mickey had got us out of a hole
The diehards who travelled went wild with delight
We knew from that moment that it was our night
We nearly finished it a minute later
But Keller's saves became even greater
So to extra time with even more chances
Penalties loomed as the clock took more glances
Two hours of football and 1-1 the score
Penalties for Boro in this cup run once more
Poyet and Tarrico missed for the Spurs
Frankie Q wins it for Boro- could this be our year?
We know now what happened in February in Wales
We left Teesside with the snow and the gales
We came back with silver, history made
This put our Wembley woes into the shade
Lots of people to thank
You may think its not right
But big thanks to Mickey
For that wonderful night
We loved him really. We just didn't know how to show it.
