key strengths - sports :: love middlesbrough

It is impossible to talk about Middlesbrough without mentioning football. Middlesbrough's Riverside Stadium is one of our most treasured venues attracting famous celebrities and fans from across the region and further afield. We're experiencing a spell in the championship, but we are all keeping the faith that the Boro will soon be back where they belong.

Middlesbrough is also the hometown of a number of spectacular athletes, features the UK's best Skate Park, award-winning Table Tennis and much more.

Key Facts - Middlesbrough Football Club

Since moving to the Riverside Stadium in 1995, Middlesbrough Football has enjoyed more success than any other club outside English football's so-called 'big four' of Manchester United, Chelsea, Arsenal and Liverpool. In that time Middlesbrough has played in FIVE major cup finals and won their first major honours when lifting the Carling Cup in 2004. Middlesbrough is the only English Club outside the 'big four' to have reached a European final over the past 20 years.
Middlesbrough Football Club has its roots firmly embedded in the local Community. The club has the biggest football-based community initiative in the country, supporting more than 43,000 local people each year - with 'Boro' players making the largest number of appearances in support of the local community.
'Boro' has given first team debuts to more 'homegrown' players than any other club since it won the FA Youth Cup in 2004. 'Boro's' renowned Academy has produced dozens of local players for the club's first team including Stewart Downing, David Wheater, Andrew Taylor, Adam Johnson and Ross Turnbull. Stewart Downing plays for England and David Wheater has been named as a future player. David Wheater, Andrew Taylor and Adam Johnson are also all England under-21 Internationals.
Middlesbrough Football Club was a founder member of the FA Premier League in 1992.

Did you know?

Two sets of Middlesbrough brothers have represented their country at their chosen sports. The Underwood brothers (Rory and Tony) at rugby union and the Old brothers (Alan and Chris) at rugby union and cricket respectively.
Chris Tomlinson is the current holder of the British long jump record.
Chris Newton born in Middlesbrough is an Olympic Champion Cyclist winning Silver and Bronze medals.
Teesside Junior Football Alliance is one of the the largest junior football leagues in the UK and Europe.
Middlesbrough stages the North East's biggest 10K road race in September each year.
Middlesbrough has Prissick Plaza the UK's best Skate Plaza - designed by the local skating community and USA and Barcelona professionals.
The Middlesbrough Cycle Centre, conveniently located in the Bus Station, is the only secure cycle parking facility in the Tees Valley. It is committed to promoting cycling in Middlesbrough by providing free, secure, indoor cycle parking along with showers, changing facilities, lockers and an information centre.
A fantastic new cycling facility will soon be open in Middlesbrough. The Middlesbrough Cycle Circuit, based at Prissick Park off Marton Road, will officially open on Tuesday, March 15 by the Mayor of Middlesbrough Ray Mallon. The 1km enclosed circuit will be for cyclists of all abilities.
Middlesbrough Council's Sport and Leisure service has just invested nearly £300,000 in state-of-the-art TechnoGym equipment throughout their X4 fitness clubs - so you can beat the credit crunch with an ab crunch in 2009.
Runmiddlesbrough puts on the friendliest running events around. Celebrating the Transporter Bridge Centenary this year with fab new medals..
John Gatenby "Jack" Hatfield was a competitive swimmer who won silver and bronze medals for Great Britain in the Olympic Games in 1912, 1920, 1924, 1928. He went on to open a sporting goods store in Middlesbrough which continues business today.
The longest and fastest karting circuit in the UK is on the outskirts of Middlesbrough.
Middlesbrough is home to the first ever roller derby league in the North East. The Middlesbrough Milk Rollers were established in 2007, making them also one of the first leagues in the UK.
The North Ormesby Table Tennis Club is where champions train including Paul Drinkhall, Danny Reed and Karina LeFevre. The highlight of the Club’s history was in 1972 when Ormesby won the European Club Cup, the only English Club still to have achieved this honour. Alan Ransome of the club has served as the technical delegate for the International Table Tennis Federation and also the chairman of the sport’s Commonwealth Federation.
Teesside University is a welcoming home to a diverse range of elite ahletes.
See: Elite Athletes at Teesside University

Sports at Teesside University

Middlesbrough on London 2012 Olympic Torch Relay Route

Middlesbrough is today confirmed as one of the key stops on the Olympic Flame’s journey around the UK.

The town will play host to the Flame with a spectacular evening celebration in the build-up to the London Olympic Games.

The stop-off in Middlesbrough is part of the traditional Torch Relay which starts in Greece and culminates in the opening of the games in July 2012.

Plans are under way for a fitting celebration in Middlesbrough to mark the arrival of the Flame on June 17 next year.

The event will showcase the town’s culture and heritage, and reflect both its sporting achievements and support for the London Games.

Middlesbrough is one of 66 Evening Celebration locations and six island visits across the UK confirmed today by the London 2012 Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games (LOCOG).

The evening events will offer thousands of people the opportunity to come together and get involved in celebrations and share in the Olympic spirit.

As part of the celebration, LOCOG and the Presenting Partners Coca-Cola, Lloyds TSB and Samsung will stage exciting entertainment shows where a cauldron will be lit from the Olympic Flame, marking the end of the day’s proceedings.

Nominate someone you know to be a torchbearer

LOCOG Torch Poster_large.jpg

Do you know someone inspirational who should be a torchbearer?

Get your nomination in by June 29, 2011.

May and September running events a huge success

Runners of all abilities take part in running in Middlesbrough. May's 5K event paid tribute to 100 years of Teesside’s favourite icon.

The Middlesbrough ‘Healthy Town’ 5K Road Race and the 2k Fun Run took place on Sunday, May 15.

The races, now in their third year, have proven extremely popular with runners of all abilities, from elite athletes to small children and pensioners.

For more information see:

www.runmiddlesbrough.com

Middlesbrough Tees Pride 10K and PCT 3K Fun Run (September)

Sky Ride Middlesbrough (July)

A free family friendly cycling event. The 7km traffic-free Sky Ride route heads out from the Cycle Circuit and takes in some of Middlesbrough’s wonderful green spaces and attractions including Newham Grange Country Farm. July 10th 2011.