If only Ironops had survived.

[Trug]

Just imagine a Middlesbrough derby. Washers v. Scabs. (Boro's early nickname). There may not have been an AP because Ironops ground was on part of the site of AP. And as Ironops played in red and white stripes, what colour would their nearest rivals play in?
Who would I have supported? Who's to know but probably Ironops due to their working class roots as opposed to Boro's middle and upper classes.
I wonder if any player played for both teams or if any of the coaching staff worked for both teams.
Going out of business for the sake of £200 seems ridiculous in this day and age of multi million pound clubs and players.

Blink & You’ll Miss It – Middlesbrough Ironopolis (1893-94)

There is a recently reformed football club situated around 70 miles north of Philadelphia called Bethlehem Steel. In their previous incarnation they were one of the most successful of the early Ame…

beyondthelastman.com

 

[Blf]

Think Ironopolis would have been my team as my Great Grandfathers families were both from working class backgrounds and it's a great name for a team.

 

[Redwurzel]

I don't think 2 professional teams could have survived for long.

The Nops could have dominated though - they were the more progressive club in the 1890s, turning professional and with a better ground in a slightly better location. I guess they were a bit too ambitious and unlucky with a storm that destroyed 2 stands. They drained the land around Ayresome which made Ayresome Park possible.

Some of the Nops became MFC, certainly under Steve Gibson pushing to topple the metropolitan city clubs of England.

 

[FullTiltTraore]

Middlesbrough Ironopolis these days sounds so clean that even MLS wouldn't touch it. The Boro would have a different nickname, a clear USP for area and probably a host of nicknames.

 

[HundredRoom]

Just imagine a Middlesbrough derby. Washers v. Scabs. (Boro's early nickname). There may not have been an AP because Ironops ground was on part of the site of AP. And as Ironops played in red and white stripes, what colour would their nearest rivals play in?
Who would I have supported? Who's to know but probably Ironops due to their working class roots as opposed to Boro's middle and upper classes.
I wonder if any player played for both teams or if any of the coaching staff worked for both teams.
Going out of business for the sake of £200 seems ridiculous in this day and age of multi million pound clubs and players.

Blink & You’ll Miss It – Middlesbrough Ironopolis (1893-94)

There is a recently reformed football club situated around 70 miles north of Philadelphia called Bethlehem Steel. In their previous incarnation they were one of the most successful of the early Ame…

beyondthelastman.com

Going back to the times in the mid 90s when you had to join a queue to be able to get a season ticket I often thought whether the town could have two clubs. Heady days.
The question these days for a lot of clubs is keeping one going.