This will be the fourth and final Sir Bobby Robson Foundation Charity Match at the Riverside Stadium organised by MSS Player Manager Andy Clark and will take place on Friday May 11th 2012 with a 19:30 kick off. The match will be played in memory of former MSS member Grant Harrison and young Tom Gardiner who have both tragically passed away recently and had been involved with the charity match in the past. The match is predominantly a Boro supporters match but will include eight  former Boro stars, to be confirmed in due course. Previous matches have raised in excess of £30,000 to help fund the fight against cancer in the North East of England.

Along with Roary the Lion, Ex Boro stars George Boateng, Ugo Ehiogu, Gaizka Mendieta, Bernie Slaven, Craig Hignett, Colin Cooper and Neil Madison have confirmed their involvement in this years match.  BBC Breakfast presenter and big Boro fan Steph McGovern, George Caulkin of the Times Newspaper will also be in attendance at the match to lend their support.  There will be a half time penalty shoot out between rival Boro fans groups Red Faction and Twe12th Man, Red Faction were victorious last year so the Twe12th Man will be hell bent on revenge.

Entrance to the match is via a donation (minimum of £2) at the West Stand

There will be a children's penalty competition at half time, entry is via a £10 donation, if anyone is interested then please contact andy@mss.org.uk or Twitter@BoroSouthFC

There will be a function in the Legends Lounge after the match with presentations, food, raffle and a late bar.  It will be £10 for entry in to the Lounge, please contact andy@mss.org.uk or Twitter@BoroSouthFC

This Years Media Interest:

http://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/sport/9610863.Fans_snap_up_chance_to_play_alongside_their_heroes/

http://www.gazettelive.co.uk/news/teesside-news/2012/02/28/match-honours-sir-bobby-and-special-fans-84229-30418619/

http://www.sundaysun.co.uk/news/north-east-news/2012/02/26/football-fans-have-again-got-the-chance-to-line-up-alongside-their-heroes-to-raise-money-for-the-sir-bobby-robson-foundation-79310-30405821/

The 2011 Charity Match Line Up

The fundraising page can be found here at www.justgiving.com/sbrfcharitymatch2012

Follow the progress of the match on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/home.php?ref=home#!/events/319231878124422/

PLAYER SPOTS FOR THIS MATCH HAVE NOW SOLD OUT!!!

Media Articles from Previous Sir Bobby Robson Foundation Charity Matches:

http://www.gazettelive.co.uk/news/teesside-news/2010/05/06/fans-help-raise-cash-for-sir-bobby-robson-foundation-84229-26384306/

http://www.sundaysun.co.uk/news/north-east-news/2011/03/27/gaizka-mendieta-to-play-in-sir-bobby-robson-charity-match-79310-28409853/

http://fansonline.net/middlesbrough/article.php?id=1705

http://www.gazettelive.co.uk/gazette-communities/ts3-north-ormesby-to-park-end/ts3-north-ormesby-park-end-local-sport/2010/06/12/entertaining-draw-makes-13-000-for-sir-bobby-robson-foundation-84229-26626303/

http://www.gazettelive.co.uk/news/teesside-news/2010/09/29/match-raises-cash-for-sir-bobby-s-foundation-84229-27363738/

and  and the new aa

Middlesbrough Supporters South Football Team, already in the David Baister Cup final in May, were finally crowned APFSCIL League Division One Champions for the first time in their long 37 year history on Sunday.  The team, off the back of two victories against local rivals Sunderland, needed to beat Hibs or rely on Sunderland beating Exeter City in the other game of the day to clinch the title. The team beat Hibs 3-0 with goals from Calder, Aldridge and Jack Thompson to clinch the deal and as it happened, Sunderland also did Boro a favour by beating Exeter City 2-1.  Two years ago, the club was struggling to put a team out, at times playing games and getting hammered with 8 men and at other times were simply conceding games as they finished 3rd bottom and were about to go out of existence.  At the last minute, Andy Clark and James Nugent decided that they would give it a go and try and build a team of Teessiders and a team to be proud of in London who would be challenging for honours.  The goal set out in August 2010 was for MSS to win the double (Division One and David Baister Cup), which with the team never having won a single trophy before, seemed like a pipe dream.  The MSS website was redesigned to try and attract more exiles and midweek football was started in Hyde Park, which surreptitiously acted as trials for the football team.  The key signing of Marlon Beresford was to prove a masterstroke and as the season kicked off, an MSS team had been formed with a real Teesside heart and a real enthusiasm which had been missing for several years.  Brighton, who had finished the season in 3rd place, turned up expecting an easy victory and were shell shocked as they left the field after a 7-0 hammering.  This was the start of an excellent season which saw the team miss out on the Division One runners up spot on the last day of the season but more importantly, won the first trophy in the clubs history, defeating Boro's opening day opponents Brighton 2-0 on a sunny day at Hayes & Yeading Stadium in May. Winning the cup was one thing but winning the league was a different proposition altogether and Boro had to overcome an Aberdeen team who had won the league the previous two seasons and a strong Sunderland side with a core of semi professional players...

Boro have simply blown the league away this season, winning 17 of their 18 games so far and the only points dropped were down to a quite ridiculous penalty decision in a 1-1 draw with Exeter City.  Boro have kept a phenomenal 12 clean sheets in 18 games, have the best defensive record in the history of the league so far and have smashed in and astonishing 88 goals in 18 league and cup games.  All this without star keeper Marlon Beresford who built on his Cup final success by becoming the professional goalkeeping coach for Barnet FC and also the Northern Ireland Under 21's.  His replacement, big Andy Cox has been fantastic and deserves to play at a much higher level, a great shot stopper and a menacing figure for any opposition attackers.  New defensive signings Alex Baker and John Calder have been simply excellent, adding class and physicality to the Boro defence and complementing the partnership of Tom Scrimgour and Skipper Matt Holian with full backs Eddie Woodall and Ashley Leek providing some quality deliveries form the flanks, the only disappointment being the long term injuries to centre back Ben Sheffield after a promising start to the season.  The team has been blessed with some superb central midfielders, the Thompson brothers, Jack and Jo have boundless energy and also the guile to cause teams endless problems, schemer James Shepherd has the ability to control the play, pick a pass and score a goal, Jack Reynolds has the engine and forward running to create space for attackers and the flying wingers of Lee Gutcher and Jordan Lees a constant menace with their tireless running and goal threat.  Up front you have the pocket dynamo that is Johnathon Gallagher, the leagues top scorer with 24 goals in 16 games, he puts the finishing touches to the teams constant creativity and every defender in the league hates playing against him.  Versatile Player Manager Andy Clark, despite being in his twilight has chipped in with 8 goals from both midfield and attack and a few of those goal of the season contenders.  Alfie Burke, a February signing has been superb at Centre Back, Centre Midfield and Striker, has the heart of a lion and Striker Danny Aldridge returned to add pace to the attack.  A big mention has to go to Matty Pickover who was a revelation in the MSS attack for the first 9 games until he had to emigrate to Australia due to unforeseen circumstances.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OS1SAwkwfuk&feature=relmfu

The success of the MSS first team has been complemented by the formation of the MSS FC Second Team, who started the season in Division Two and kicked off their campaign with a 13-1 defeat with only 8 men.  This result only proved to spur manager Dean Robson and his team on as once the team picked up their first victory against Hull City, they went on a long unbeaten run, beating leaders Dundee United and drawing with promoted Celtic.  With players like Ollie Owolabi, Ladi Kazeem, Will Wyatt, Ian McQueeney, Charles Walford, John Forbes, Chris Hill, Tim Colling, Dave Affleck, Scott Perkins and teaming up with the old guard of Jonathon Rhodes and Richie Hatfield, the future for the MSS 2 team looks very bright and a big promotion challenge could be on the cards next season to join the first team in Division One. 

A win for the MSS FC first team against either Glasgow Rangers or Aberdeen in the cup final at Barnet FC (Sunday May 6th, 2pm kick off) to complete the dream of winning the league and cup double and cap a remarkable rise for MSS.  I'd urge all MSS members try and get down to Barnet FC if possible to help cheer the lads on to what could be a momentous victory, the team needs the support of  Boro community down South.  The football team has been a vehicle for change for MSS and helped create a real community spirit down here in the capital, it would be nice to have people lend a bit of support for all the effort that has gone into achieving this over the last two years and you never know, you might even enjoy it. ;-)

Up the Boro (South)!!!.

Boro fans heading to Brighton are invited to join MSS for pre-match drinks at the The Prince Albert on Trafalgar Street.  The Prince Albert has outdoor seating (ideal for sunny days), serves local beers, a big screen and is only a short walk from Brighton Station.

The Prince Albert, 48 Trafalgar Street, Brighton BN1 4ED

From here, we'll be making our way to the game by catching the train to Falmer - 6 minutes from Brighton and within walking distance of the ground.  View the timetable here.

Planning on joining us?  Leave a comment below.

This week MSS meets CLAIRE BLOOMFIELD.  A season ticket holder originally from Guisborough who now works for Sky Sports.

Claire meets Marvin

Whereabouts on Teesside are you from and which school did you go to?
I lived in Guisborough and attended Laurence Jackson School. Hold on the sheep sh...... jokes, please!

What are your childhood memories of supporting the Boro?
I remember arriving at Rockcliffe Park to do my first ever player interview. I was 12-years old! Curtis Fleming was celebrating his testimonial and I wrote up an exclusive interview with Fleming for the first edition of Laurence Jackson School’s newspaper. My questions were pinched by Ali Brownlee and Bernie Slaven so I must have been doing something right. I caught up with Fleming again more than 12 years on at the beginning of the 2011/12 season.

Who were your boyhood heroes and your favourite all time player?
Tough question! For me there are three great players who have all firmly cemented their name in the club’s history books in recent times; Juninho, George Boateng and Craig Hignett. I'm currently filming a new media project with George Boateng so keep your eyes out for that...

Which is your most memorable game and why?
Again I am torn between a couple of games here. It’s got to be our 4-2 win over Steaua Bucharest and Massimo Maccarone's 89th-minute goal that sent us into the UEFA Cup Final.   Now that MSS have uploaded so many of our best memories to the official youtube channel you can relive all of our best bits anytime you want.

When and why did you move down South?
I moved to London in 2005 to study a degree in journalism at the University of Kingston, London.

What do you down here?
I’m a staff writer for skysports.com and sky.com and I’ve been lucky enough to interview some of the biggest names in sport.

How often do you see the games?
I’ve still got a season ticket at the Riverside and although I don’t make it up to Teesside for every game, I make it to at least 75% of our home fixtures

How do you rate our chances this year?
Four Four Two magazine asked me the very same question when I was asked to complete Boro’s season preview earlier this summer and I’m standing by answer. I am confident that Boro will finish in sixth position or above – so confident in fact, that I have had a bet with Northern Echo sports editor Nick Loughlin.

How else are you involved in MSS?  How long have you been a member?
I joined MSS with encouragement from the committee ahead of the 2010/11 campaign. I’m hoping to deliver a few exclusive interviews to the official MSS website as the season progresses.

82-year old Dennis Harvey has been attending Boro games for almost 70 years and is possibly MSS' s oldest member.  MSSer HELEN BUDD caught up with him.

Dennis Harvey

Whereabouts on Teesside are you from and which school did you go to?

I was born in Thornaby on 23.7.30 and lived in Norton till I was 16. Then moved to Redcar till 1967 when I came down to live in a small village called Little Staughton in Bedfordshire. I moved again in 2004 and now live in Kimbolton just over the border in Huntingdonshire. I went to the Secondary Grammar School in Stockton. My first job was with a small foundry company called Anderston Foundry in Port Clarence. When I was 20 I left and went as a trainee structural draughtsman with Dorman Long in Middlesbrough. My career progressed very well and I finished up as Chief Structural Estimator in a new Company HQ opened up by Redpath Dorman Long in Bedford. I was eventually made redundant when that office was closed down. I finished my working life with a small Structural firm doing estimates at home. I retired in 1995. Those were very happy days.

In 1973 I was involved with the village football team in the Bedford & District League. I was Secretary, Treasurer, Pitch marker, Linesman and my wife washed the shirts! All matches were played on Saturday afternoon so little chance to see Boro or anybody else. That club folded in 1985.

What are your childhood memories of supporting the Boro?

My first visit to Ayresome Park was on 27 March 1943 when we beat Sunderland 1–0! I do not know why I went that day because the previous Saturday we lost 8–0 at Roker Park! I have been a full-blooded supporter ever since. With a friend I used to cycle down what we called the “New Road” over the Tees Bridge and leave our cycles in the back yard of a house at the Bob End for a fee of 3d. In those days we were in the middle of a war and several barrage balloons were located to help protect the ICI works at Billingham. I also recall drums of used oil at the side of the road to be fired to help make a smoke screen! In all my visits to Ayresome Park I do not recall any daylight raids by the Luftwaffe to disrupt the matches. We had quite a few night raids and bombs were dropped in many places on Teesside. In those days the South Stand was completely closed and the Bob End was not covered. My friend and I got in the Holgate end by squeezing together through the turnstile. The match programme was a single sheet of paper with the teams printed on. Most of the players were “guest” players who was allowed in those days. There were usually many team alterations every match and these were chalked on a blackboard fixed to a cart that was pushed round the edge of the playing field. Not easily read when it was raining. There was no tannoy system in those days! Crowds were very small averaging less than 4000.