Score yourself - how big a Boro fan would you say are you?

I was at the Notts Co game with my old fella, it was snowing too, so I think that qualifies me for a 10:)

Probably more of 6/7 in reality:

- I go to my local away games but not many home games in the past twenty years.
-Season ticket at AP and early days of the Riverside.
- Have plenty of memorabilia, but wouldn't say I collect it (more acquired over the years)
- I have also afflicted my Oxfordshire born son with supporting the Boro!
 
Support them 100% in how much I want them to win and do well and watch on TV whenever possible. However, in reality, probably a 3. I go to London away games (ticket availability permitting), and always try to make sure I link up a visit north with when there's a home game, but in reality that might only be twice/thrice a season.
 
BoroBen92 said:
Hard to tell, seeing as I'm local and I've never really had my dedication properly tested, but I'd say 7-8 right now.

I follow the club and club news obsessively, I go to every single home match, will plan events around football and the outcome of Boro matches will shape my mood all week.

I'm not really financially able to go to most away matches, so that's a check against me, but I've started to try and fit in at least one of the Yorkshire matches every season.

Another cross would be that I'm a latecomer to the game, and I wasn't really bothered about football during our golden era (though I'd still have said I was a Boro fan if asked). Something that's always going to rankle with me now that it's my passion.
6 years of proper supporting pales in comparison to almost every poster on this site.
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It doesn't matter Ben, a supporter is a supporter, doesn't mean you live the club less,
 
I'd say I'm a 6.

I'm not from Boro, i was a student there 94-99 and i started supporting them during that time. My first game was the same season that we got battered by arsenal 6-1 (With that Kanu backheel). I got my first season ticket in 2001, by which time i had left Boro and had just passed my driving test (So i was able to get there from Manchester). I've had a season ticket since then, pretty much (There was a 6 month period before Cardiff where i couldn't afford to renew because of a car accident, but I ended up going to all of the games anyway.). I lost my red book status just before the carling cup final, so i didn't get tickets for Cardiff or Eindhoven. I now have a glory hunters season card number... :)

Nowadays, I travel over on my own from Preston for all home games, meeting friends in the ground. I Book 2 half day holidays for midweek matches so I don't miss them. This season I've been watching all of the streamed games, paying for the matches i don't get free with my season ticket (I'm saving a shedload in car maintenance and petrol!).
 
zorro_mfc said:
7 or 8 I’ve been to all the big games I was there in the dark days ( but not at Victoria Park) and I’ve only ever followed this club from the age of 6.

Gold st holder and always go to the early rounds of the cup.
I used to go regularly to away games but not so much now.
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I'd rate myself the same, as I'm very similar. I don't go to early midweek cup games, but home games are a 5+ hour round trip. 7/8

In terms of a Boro result making or breaking my week though, I'm definitely a 10!
 
Erimus74 said:
Morning Corco65, cracking question

I would class myself as a 4, maybe 5

My dad who was a massive, massive Boro fan, gold card holder, started taking me & my late younger brother, who was also a massive Boro fan, late 1971, he could never recall our 1st home league game though I know my 1st cup game was January 1972 at home to Man City we won 1-0, 1st away game 48 years today v Preston

Our house growing up was around Saturday afternoons & Tuesday evenings
Had a ST for about 35 years, which included getting the kids STs, when they wanted to go, they've since stopped having ST's but out of the two my daughter still enjoys going to games & with her old man too 😁

When my daughter was born, March 1993, I got her registered as a junior red within the hour, though my wife wasn't best pleased

Once going with my dad I didn't miss a home match till boxing day 1974, sickness & had to watch chitty, chitty, bang, bang, a film I've disliked to this day, then every home game to our home game v Norwich 1988, which included every game we played, friendlies, testimonials etc

Paid to save the Boro fund & still have my letter of acknowledgement & thank you from the club, the keeter is signed by most of the players from that era
Went to the Port Vale game at Pools
Been to around 82 different away grounds

Been to the highest attendances at AP & the lowest attendances at AP in my lifetime
Similar to the Riverside
Seen players who would be on the dole if they didn't play for the Boro to world class players

Dont go to as many as I once did, nothing to do with how we are playing just football in general, the Boro is & always will be a massive part of me & my family, but as I told my kids & tell people on here, once the Boro break your heart they have you for life

Got a bit of a collection of Boro memorabilia, & love anything nostalgia, stats etc, which is a passion of mine

One thing this lockdown has taught me, probably as well as others, how much we generally miss going to the Riverside

Also videoed AP been demolished & the Riverside getting built from storage tanks to the corners filled in

UTMB
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Hello Erimus74

Loved reading your response and how Boro have weaved through the generations of your family.

I am just being curious about where people would rate themselves on a scale as to what they think being a Boro supporter means to them whilst also considering the context of how they feel others support the boro. No right or wrongs and not a competition, everyone has a unique set of circumstances which apply and of are just personal perceptions.

From what I've read their are some wonderful accounts either past or present and hopefully the future of how people have supported Boro and what it means to them, which I find interesting and brilliant at the same time.
 
Vzzzbx said:
I'd say I'm a 6.

I'm not from Boro, i was a student there 94-99 and i started supporting them during that time. My first game was the same season that we got battered by arsenal 6-1 (With that Kanu backheel). I got my first season ticket in 2001, by which time i had left Boro and had just passed my driving test (So i was able to get there from Manchester). I've had a season ticket since then, pretty much (There was a 6 month period before Cardiff where i couldn't afford to renew because of a car accident, but I ended up going to all of the games anyway.). I lost my red book status just before the carling cup final, so i didn't get tickets for Cardiff or Eindhoven. I now have a glory hunters season card number... :)

Nowadays, I travel over on my own from Preston for all home games, meeting friends in the ground. I Book 2 half day holidays for midweek matches so I don't miss them. This season I've been watching all of the streamed games, paying for the matches i don't get free with my season ticket (I'm saving a shedload in car maintenance and petrol!).
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I think you are without doubt a 10 👍
 
Had a spell a few years ago when I would do every game home and away and did for 4/5 seasons, easy to do with no real work/family commitments but it costs an absolute fortune.

With different priorities now I still go to a few games home and away and will hopefully carry this on when we can, but Its a big commitment to fit in the away games around work etc. Looking at this some people go to incredible efforts to follow the team, fair play.
 
Football is like religion, its passed onto you by parents and family and its difficult to concentrate on much else once bitten.

Started as a ST from the off, my old fella always wanted to sit with the "NOBS" as he used to put it, as a kid from over the border and growing up in a tough Middlesbrough (a former Iron moulder) he always believed in a sort of brand loyalty and discounts, so if you got something off by becoming a member he thought well of it, so ST offered better value for money in his book.
My dad had a love hate relationship with The Boro , he hated the owners etc always thought they were as bent as a nine bob note. He was a champagne socialist in some regard as he got older but never trusted the management:)
My dad detested them for the treatment of Wilf Mannion his idol, who was almost a person in my family he would talk of him so much.
My brother who is 5 years older was the first to get a ST in 66/67 I think he has now dropped off, I followed him in 1968/69 as juvenile season ticket holder, and I`m still one to this day even this season = season 52 .

How far do you travel to watch Boro?
About 17 mins down the A66 from to the ground

Where you there during the really dark days in the 80's (not many did), did you donate to keep the club afloat?
Never donated, this was mainly done from the pubs and clubs in Middlesbrough not Stockton, and cant ever remember buckets as the liquidation bust announcement happened after the season ended.
My workmate at the time donated in the Beechwood and Easterside club, he later received a letter and his money sent back to him, hed never ever been to a match.

Which brings me to the dark days as crowds dwindled into virtually nothing, although 80`s Teesside was a difficult place to find work with a lot of unemployment so it was a cost some could do without.
However the support I knew who used to go prior relegation and and the constant struggle lots of them gave up and didn't have a good word for the club . Even when we went bust lots said we deserved it. (maybe we did as we were badly run for years)
No surprise the Hartlepool game only had 3690, I went to the game, (looks more there when you look at the footage) as lot od supporters had given up and they didn't really give a monkeys .
Tbh it was like that most part of the 3rd division promotion season if you look at the attendances, people drifted back slowly as the smell of possible success was in the air.

Been to all the games we had our wildest daydreams about, but we thought could never happen, only one big game I missed was Chelsea away play off, my mother seriously ill (terminal) but came out for remission that day, so I wouldn't have went if i got millions for doing so.

I also go to the game with mates who I knew from starting school together at 5 years old, and who like me have also went all the time, they also frequent this board at times.

Going to the match has been part of my existence really, but there was a lot of advantages I had to go able to go regularly.
Older Brother to go with.
A ST making it cheaper.
A coach laid on every home game(thank you Arthur Harrison) less than a mile from our house and they even took us to Man Utd and other big away cup games, also local midweek away games at Sunderland, Newcastle, Carlisle etc.

We had no fear of going anywhere, by train,coach, as kids...it was a different world and not unusual.

Do you wear club colours when you go the match?
I have a Boro shirt now as the sons buy me one, but it used to be mainly scarves, I miss my Wrangler jacket with the sew on Boro patches and badges.:)

Did you see Boro lift their first major cup and play in Europe?
Yes , almost packed in when we did win the Carling cup, at the time it had seemed a long but happy journey, but Im glad I stuck around. Europe! ... I went to Lisbon, and Eindhoven, I dont think anyone will have a better Eindhoven story than me.
As for my old fella, he only got emotional when we reached the FA cup final as he classed that as the biggest day in our history.

Europe... to me was a dream come true.

Do you collect Boro merchandise and memorabilia?
Although I have a few one offs still that I've given to my sons... like old original team photos from the club etc.
No... I no longer collect, I did do as a kid , atm I still have odds and sods, I've just been given a bit of stuff,and recently it is a white and gold away top from 2007/08 season, the full team signed.
I was talking to Shaun Wilson is it? earlier this year , and I told him I give all my Boro stuff to a lad called Mike Baty, Mike has all my old juvenile ST books and adult ones too plus all kinds of crap I given him over the years.
Shaun said Mike has one of the best collections of stuff he has seen. (not sure what my mate is ever going to do with it, might be worth a few bob in some respects v Man Utd etc)

Any major events you have sacrificed to watch a match?

Once did a deal with a gaffer to start late on a contract during the 1980s ,I was working nights, it was dong 7 nights on the trot for 8 months, when the Boro were at home on Saturdays I could start at 7.30 pm and at 11 pm start on a Tuesday night. They thought I was a stupid:)

Have you encouraged others to support Boro?
Yes all my sons and my daughter were ST holders, 2 of my sons still are now, the youngest lives away so no longer has a ST. the daughter still follows the results and so does the grand daughter. Sadly the grandson is Leeds as he goes to the Leeds games with his dad.

All in all I've missed around 30 odd league and cup home games since 1968 including this covid bit, but to be honest its a social thing, I rarely go away, only the odd time now.

The encouraging thing is there are lots of youngsters at the home games now, today we have a very ardent hardcore of support even comparing it historically.

I still like the rich tapestry British Football has woven, all its little town and clubs and its followers mentality to a degree. Seen some great players and teams, not just the Boros too.

Its a great board this at times as it has people from all over the place new and old supporters.
 
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Compared to all of you guys, my score is significantly lower. I am not from the North East but moved to Hutton Rudby when I was 5, left to move south when I was nine. In the school play ground I swore faith in Middlesbrough amongst the other lads. Never had a shirt, but my mum knitted me a Boro jumper, which although totally naff, I was very proud to wear.
My Dad took me to away matches at Leicester and Coventry as we lived between the two towns. Dad and the rest of my family were Leeds fans, so thanks Dad.
I have followed the results and speculation for over 50 years, but live too far away to be able to attend matches, even away matches as I now live in Devon. As I swore my allegiance to the club, I can not bring myself to support any other even though I can admire a team that plays well and entertains.

I cant call myself a supporter, even though I am a fan, so I like to think of myself as a Boro sympathiser.
 
Smog in Wilts said:
Compared to all of you guys, my score is significantly lower. I am not from the North East but moved to Hutton Rudby when I was 5, left to move south when I was nine. In the school play ground I swore faith in Middlesbrough amongst the other lads. Never had a shirt, but my mum knitted me a Boro jumper, which although totally naff, I was very proud to wear.
My Dad took me to away matches at Leicester and Coventry as we lived between the two towns. Dad and the rest of my family were Leeds fans, so thanks Dad.
I have followed the results and speculation for over 50 years, but live too far away to be able to attend matches, even away matches as I now live in Devon. As I swore my allegiance to the club, I can not bring myself to support any other even though I can admire a team that plays well and entertains.

I cant call myself a supporter, even though I am a fan, so I like to think of myself as a Boro sympathiser.
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Smog I think your story is amazing, not from the area, no ties, no family ties re Boro & over 50 years too, great stuff, well done
Mind as I'm reading it the only thing that tells me your not Neil Warnock is no reference towards Sheff Utd
 
Smog in Wilts said:
Compared to all of you guys, my score is significantly lower. I am not from the North East but moved to Hutton Rudby when I was 5, left to move south when I was nine. In the school play ground I swore faith in Middlesbrough amongst the other lads. Never had a shirt, but my mum knitted me a Boro jumper, which although totally naff, I was very proud to wear.
My Dad took me to away matches at Leicester and Coventry as we lived between the two towns. Dad and the rest of my family were Leeds fans, so thanks Dad.
I have followed the results and speculation for over 50 years, but live too far away to be able to attend matches, even away matches as I now live in Devon. As I swore my allegiance to the club, I can not bring myself to support any other even though I can admire a team that plays well and entertains.

I cant call myself a supporter, even though I am a fan, so I like to think of myself as a Boro sympathiser.
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What a great story, youre no different to any Boro fan.
 
ticker_tape said:
Football is like religion, its passed onto you by parents and family and its difficult to concentrate on much else once bitten.

Started as a ST from the off, my old fella always wanted to sit with the "NOBS" as he used to put it, as a kid from over the border and growing up in a tough Middlesbrough (a former Iron moulder) he always believed in a sort of brand loyalty and discounts, so if you got something off by becoming a member he thought well of it, so ST offered better value for money in his book.
My dad had a love hate relationship with The Boro , he hated the owners etc always thought they were as bent as a nine bob note. He was a champagne socialist in some regard as he got older but never trusted the management:)
My dad detested them for the treatment of Wilf Mannion his idol, who was almost a person in my family he would talk of him so much.
My brother who is 5 years older was the first to get a ST in 66/67 I think he has now dropped off, I followed him in 1968/69 as juvenile season ticket holder, and I`m still one to this day even this season = season 52 .

How far do you travel to watch Boro?
About 17 mins down the A66 from to the ground

Where you there during the really dark days in the 80's (not many did), did you donate to keep the club afloat?
Never donated, this was mainly done from the pubs and clubs in Middlesbrough not Stockton, and cant ever remember buckets as the liquidation bust announcement happened after the season ended.
My workmate at the time donated in the Beechwood and Easterside club, he later received a letter and his money sent back to him, hed never ever been to a match.

Which brings me to the dark days as crowds dwindled into virtually nothing, although 80`s Teesside was a difficult place to find work with a lot of unemployment so it was a cost some could do without.
However the support I knew who used to go prior relegation and and the constant struggle lots of them gave up and didn't have a good word for the club . Even when we went bust lots said we deserved it. (maybe we did as we were badly run for years)
No surprise the Hartlepool game only had 3690, I went to the game, (looks more there when you look at the footage) as lot od supporters had given up and they didn't really give a monkeys .
Tbh it was like that most part of the 3rd division promotion season if you look at the attendances, people drifted back slowly as the smell of possible success was in the air.

Been to all the games we had our wildest daydreams about, but we thought could never happen, only one big game I missed was Chelsea away play off, my mother seriously ill (terminal) but came out for remission that day, so I wouldn't have went if i got millions for doing so.

I also go to the game with mates who I knew from starting school together at 5 years old, and who like me have also went all the time, they also frequent this board at times.

Going to the match has been part of my existence really, but there was a lot of advantages I had to go able to go regularly.
Older Brother to go with.
A ST making it cheaper.
A coach laid on every home game(thank you Arthur Harrison) less than a mile from our house and they even took us to Man Utd and other big away cup games, also local midweek away games at Sunderland, Newcastle, Carlisle etc.

We had no fear of going anywhere, by train,coach, as kids...it was a different world and not unusual.

Do you wear club colours when you go the match?
I have a Boro shirt now as the sons buy me one, but it used to be mainly scarves, I miss my Wrangler jacket with the sew on Boro patches and badges.:)

Did you see Boro lift their first major cup and play in Europe?
Yes , almost packed in when we did win the Carling cup, at the time it had seemed a long but happy journey, but Im glad I stuck around. Europe! ... I went to Lisbon, and Eindhoven, I dont think anyone will have a better Eindhoven story than me.
As for my old fella, he only got emotional when we reached the FA cup final as he classed that as the biggest day in our history.

Europe... to me was a dream come true.

Do you collect Boro merchandise and memorabilia?
Although I have a few one offs still that I've given to my sons... like old original team photos from the club etc.
No... I no longer collect, I did do as a kid , atm I still have odds and sods, I've just been given a bit of stuff,and recently it is a white and gold away top from 2007/08 season, the full team signed.
I was talking to Shaun Wilson is it? earlier this year , and I told him I give all my Boro stuff to a lad called Mike Baty, Mike has all my old juvenile ST books and adult ones too plus all kinds of crap I given him over the years.
Shaun said Mike has one of the best collections of stuff he has seen. (not sure what my mate is ever going to do with it, might be worth a few bob in some respects v Man Utd etc)

Any major events you have sacrificed to watch a match?

Once did a deal with a gaffer to start late on a contract during the 1980s ,I was working nights, it was dong 7 nights on the trot for 8 months, when the Boro were at home on Saturdays I could start at 7.30 pm and at 11 pm start on a Tuesday night. They thought I was a stupid:)

Have you encouraged others to support Boro?
Yes all my sons and my daughter were ST holders, 2 of my sons still are now, the youngest lives away so no longer has a ST. the daughter still follows the results and so does the grand daughter. Sadly the grandson is Leeds as he goes to the Leeds games with his dad.

All in all I've missed around 30 odd league and cup home games since 1968 including this covid bit, but to be honest its a social thing, I rarely go away, only the odd time now.

The encouraging thing is there are lots of youngsters at the home games now, today we have a very ardent hardcore of support even comparing it historically.

I still like the rich tapestry British Football has woven, all its little town and clubs and its followers mentality to a degree. Seen some great players and teams, not just the Boros too.

Its a great board this at times as it has people from all over the place new and old supporters.
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Great essay Ticker...Will you be doing one next week ?
 
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