Boro hit the big time

By Andrew Haslam

Middlesbrough FC will play in the UEFA Cup for the first time next season after a 2-1 victory against Bolton Wanderers FC at Cardiff's Millennium stadium on Sunday secured the English League Cup - the club's first major trophy in its 128-year history.

European qualification
The north-eastern club became the first English side to qualify for continental competition next season as early goals from Joseph-Desiré Job and Boudewijn Zenden proved enough to defeat Bolton.

Famous names
Despite having never won a major trophy before Sunday, Middlesbrough have certainly made a significant contribution to football history. In 1905, the club set a world transfer record when they paid £1,000 for Alf Common, and some of the most famous names in English football history have played for Middlesbrough, with players such as Wilf Mannion, George Hardwick, George Camsell and Brian Clough still revered on Teesside many years after they graced the club.

Managerial magic
Arguably English football's greatest-ever manager, Middlesbrough-born Clough went on to lead Nottingham Forest FC to successive European Champion Clubs' Cup titles in 1979 and 1980 after injury cut short his playing career.

Financial problems
Middlesbrough's trophy cabinet remained empty, however, and the future looked bleak in 1986 as the club was relegated to the third division and went into liquidation. However, it was the arrival of Steve Gibson as director and later chairman that preserved the club's very existence and provided the impetus needed to revive it.

Riverside revolution
The overhaul gathered pace in 1994 as former England captain Bryan Robson took over as manager and Middlesbrough left Ayresome Park for the brand-new Riverside stadium a year later. The club continued to expand at a rapid rate, with the likes of Juninho Paulista, UEFA Champions League winner Fabrizio Ravanelli and Emerson signing for big fees.

Final failures
The big-name players inspired Middlesbrough to reach both the League and FA Cup finals in 1997, a historic achievement for the club. However, the season ended in disappointment as not only were both games lost - to Leicester City FC and Chelsea FC respectively - but Middlesbrough were relegated from the Premiership.

Big investment
However, the club bounced back immediately, winning promotion the next season and reaching the League Cup final again only to lose to Chelsea once again. Despite the continuing disappointments, Gibson continued to invest heavily, spending more than €165m of his own money, and, following the appointment of manager Steve McClaren in 2001, Middlesbrough began to make steady progress.

Flair and efficiency
England international Gareth Southgate was signed to play alongside Ugo Ehiogu in central defence, while local icon Juninho was brought back for his third spell at the club. Middlesbrough's profile continued to rise, with Zenden, Gaizka Mendieta and Danny Mills all joining last August as McClaren - Sir Alex Ferguson's former assistant at Manchester United FC - melded flair and solidity in his side.

Early blows
Having defeated Everton FC, Tottenham Hotspur FC and Arsenal FC on the way to Cardiff, Middlesbrough made the perfect start as Job scored in the second minute for the fastest-ever goal in a League Cup final. Zenden doubled the lead from the penalty spot five minutes later after Job had been fouled, and although Kevin Davies halved the deficit midway through the first period, Middlesbrough held on.

Long-awaited triumph
The final whistle was greeted by wild scenes of jubilation among the 30,000 fans in the stands and the crowds on the streets of Teesside. At long last, the town has something to celebrate, and now looks forward to the future with renewed optimism and new hope.