'Turn London red' - call to Middlesbrough FC fans as Wembley final looms

The club's place in the Championship play-offs final was confirmed on Wednesday night after a failed appeal by cheating Southampton over the decision to boot them out of the competition. The focus now shifts to Wembley as Boro prepares to take on Hull City for a coveted place in the Premier League.

In a post on Facebook, Middlesbrough FC urged supporters to "turn London red" and "wear your colours with pride" this weekend. The statement said: "Kim Hellberg's side will be wearing red for Saturday's showpiece occasion - and we want you to do the same as we descend on the capital. Make it a sea of red across London and wear your colours with pride."

Meanwhile, Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen is inviting fans to head to Teesside International Airport to cheer on the team as they head off to the capital. He posted on Facebook: "After all the drama, the team will be flying out from Teesside Airport on Friday ahead of Saturday’s play-off final.

"The support from fans through all of this has been absolutely unreal and so - once again - it’s time to get right behind the lads ahead of what is the biggest game of the season. If you can get down there from 12pm on Friday, bring all the noise, bring all the flags and let’s show the team, one last time this season, what Teesside support is all about. UTB!!!"

MP for Middlesbrough and Thornaby East, Andy McDonald has been vocal throughout the whole Spygate saga. Following Wednesday's decision, he said the EFL had done "the right thing" taking serious action against the snooping Saints.

In a post on Facebook, he said: "Promotion for Middlesbrough would be transformational, giving everybody such a massive lift as well as the economic activity it brings to the town as well, amongst other things. There's still a big game to be played and Hull can't be underestimated but expelling Southampton and putting Boro in the final is the only sanction the inquiry commission could impose.

"A financial penalty would have simply been the price of doing business. The EFL have done the right thing."

The independent panel found Southampton guilty of breaching 'multiple' EFL rules when spying on Middlesbrough's training ahead of their play-off semi-final first leg. Boro FC welcomed the move to remove them from the contest, stating it sends "a clear message for the future of our game regarding sporting integrity and conduct."

Following the EFL announcement, Boro legend Bernie Slaven posted a photo on social media site X, with the simple caption "Good night. UTB". He is seen wearing a T-shirt bearing the words: "No cheats at Wembley. Sinners not Saints".

Eric Paylor was The Gazette's Boro writer for 26 seasons, reporting on some of the most eventful years in the club's history, and continues to write columns for the paper today. He said the decision to expel Southampton was hugely important for the game and admits the news came to him as a welcome surprise.

"It's an unprecedented move and I have to admit I was surprised by the severity of the punishment and the fact they had the guts and moral strength to take this decision," he said. "It's good to see football authorities taking a firm stand against illegal practices within the game when you tend to think in this era that the people who run football are the people with money and influence, rather than the authorities themselves.

"It's a step forward for the game, it has set the standards and I'm very hopeful that future acts will be stamped upon. Anybody who is breaking rules will start to have doubts about themselves and that can only be a good thing for the game.

"From our point of view it's absolutely marvellous that Boro has a second chance. What this promotion means, if they get it, is just wonderful for the club and the whole town."

Praising supporters, he said: "I am so pleased for the fans - they have been terrific this season selling out away matches. If we get in the Premier League I am sure it will result in capacity attendances at the Riverside week in, week out."

On social media site X, Middlesbrough lawyer Nick De Marko KC also responded to Southampton's failed appeal against the sanction stating: "It's been a fascinating case. Well done to all involved.

"We shall all look forward to reading the written reasons. For now, good luck Boro for the final!"

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