Middlesbrough were founder members of the Premier League in 1992. Their debut season ended in relegation but former England captain Bryan Robson arrived to lead the club back into the big time in 1995. Boro were promoted as First Division champions in their last year at Ayresome Park and moved to the impressive new Riverside Stadium on a high. Chairman Steve Gibson invested in some world-renowned talent with Brazilians Juninho and Emerson and Italy striker Fabrizio Ravanelli turning out in the red and white during Robson's seven-year reign. Later, England stars Paul Gascoigne, Nick Barmby and Paul Merson would also parade their skills for the Boro faithful. The 1996-97 season proved eventful for the club, as they reached the finals of both the FA Cup and League Cup, only to be beaten by Chelsea and Leicester. Following relegation, the Teessiders bounced straight back to take their place in the top flight in 1998, and went on to finish a creditable ninth. Robson was replaced in 2001 by Steve McClaren, who splashed out on the likes of Gaizka Mendieta, Gareth Southgate, Massimo Maccarone and George Boateng. McClaren then secured the club's first-ever trophy with victory over Bolton in the 2004 League Cup final. The following campaign the Teessiders recorded their best Premier League finish to date when they secured seventh spot on the final day of the campaign - and with it a UEFA Cup place. They made the most of that opportunity, reaching a first European final - producing two amazing comebacks along the way - before going down 4-0 to Sevilla. The UEFA Cup final in Eindhoven was McClaren's final match at the helm before leaving his post to take up the role of England head coach after the World Cup. Former England defender Southgate was named as McClaren's successor in June 2006.

Formed in 1876 by members of the Middlesbrough Cricket Club who were looking at ways to keep fit during the winter. Attempted to join the Football League in 1892 after linking up with the oddly-named Ironopolis Football Company, but their bid failed and the two teams went their separate ways. Backed by subsequent fierce rivals Sunderland and Newcastle, Middlesbrough finally gained access to the Football League in 1899. The club moved to Ayresome Park four years later and, bar brief flirtations with the Second Division in the 1920s, spent almost fifty years in the top flight. However, following relegation in 1954, the next two decades were spent in the second tier and below. Former England star Jack Charlton took charge in 1973 and guided the team back into the First Division. Their spell in the top flight ended in 1982 and the club almost went out of business in 1986. However, Boro was saved by lifelong fan Steve Gibson whose massive investment led to a move to the modern environs of the Riverside Stadium in 1995 and saw the club enter the Premier League era. Boro came within touching distance of silverware on three occasions, but were beaten finalists in both the FA Cup and League Cup in 1997, and again in the League Cup the following year. However, their 128-year wait for a major trophy ended in the 2004 League Cup final when they beat Bolton 2-1 at the Millennium Stadium.