The FA Cup came to the Riverside this week but unfortunately the silverware was only on Teesside as part of a national tour.
Boro stars Matthew Bates and Rhys Williams came along to sign autographs and meet the fans. ComeOnBoro.com's Elle Brunton took the tour, then spoke to the young defenders about long term injuries and the apparently controversial subject of International selection...
Despite freezing temperatures and heavy rain, the tour had a steady stream of visitors throughout the afternoon.
The crew told me that the tour encompasses around fifty stops and they think they are about half way through it. Every day has been packed out so far.
Set up in the car park of the Riverside Stadium alongside the tour were a speed cage, a mini football pitch and table football.
Inside, the tour consisted of a short walkway including memorabilia such as shirts worn in the cup matches, leather shin-pads softened with age, original newspapers covering FA Cup matches throughout the decades and even an old Wolves 'rattle'.
As the tour is fully interactive, there was lots to see and feel, such as how much smoother today's footballs are in comparison to those of a bygone age. A touch screen computer told you how many times each club has won the FA Cup and questions which light up when you got the right answer encouraged children to think about health and fitness and energy saving methods.
The walls were emblazoned with helpful suggestions on how to be more energy efficient and fun facts such as 'Ronaldo generates enough energy in the average game to power Sir Alex Ferguson's hairdryer'.
The highlight of the tour was the chance to experience scoring a penalty in the FA Cup Final in front of a green screen while a wrist band put you inside the action and recorded your goal celebration.
At the end of the tour you could then pose for a photo with the real FA Cup which was on display.
Showing the superstitious side that sportsmen are often noted for, neither Matthew Bates nor Rhys Williams would touch the FA Cup as it is considered bad luck. Williams joked it might be the only time he ever got to see it but his team mate was adamant, telling him "Don't go near it, it's a bad omen."
The players signed autographs and posed for photos with the fans despite the fact that not all the visitors to the tour supported the Boro!
Back in the cosy warmth of the Riverside Stadium reception I had a chat with the boys:
EB: Did you enjoy the tour?
MB: Yes, it's good to get out and meet the kids. Mainly it's a good day out for kids and we get to see their faces when they get our autographs.
EB: Right, on to the football. You have both had long term injuries to contend with but you are both fit again - you must be pleased to be back in contention?
RW: Yes, it's just good to be playing again. Obviously it was worse for Matty because he has been out for nearly two years now.
EB: Yes and you came back against Man United this season to cover for McMahon, bit of a baptism of fire Matty?
MB: (laughs) Yeh, I only found out on the morning that I was playing because Tony's girlfriend had the baby the morning of the game, so the manager played me.
EB: You played very well though...
MB: I was surprised how well I took it. I wasn't too nervous and had been playing regularly in the reserves.
EB: Is it difficult to go back into the reserves when you have played for the first team?
MB: It's definitely difficult but I just need to get myself match fit in case I'm called up to the first team. I'll be better having played more reserve games.
I have been in and out of the first team now so I need to push for a regular position.
EB: And Rhys, you qualify to play for a number of national teams. Not why Wales exactly but... actually yes, why Wales?!
RW: (pretending to be affronted) I made the decision that it was the best for me, the best decision for my future.
Matty, who has been struggling to hide his laughter and failing miserably, interjects "You've never been Welsh a day in your life!"
RW: Okay, so you wouldn't play for Scotland then if they came in for you?
MB: No I bloody wouldn't!
RW: Yeh right! I don't believe you.
MB: I wouldn't.
RW: What if you never got called up for England?
MB: Still no. I don't care. What's the point in playing for a country which isn't yours?
EB: I'm going to use this, it's good stuff.
MB: You can do, I want people to know.
EB: And that is what the fans want to hear. No offence Rhys!
RW: (laughing) Yeh, thanks!
EB: You have been making an impact for the Wales U21s though. You did get a call up to the senior squad as well, didn't you? Were you injured?
RW: Yes I was called up to the senior squad but no I wasn't injured then. I was dropped back down to U21s because the manager said I hadn't played enough games. That was when I got injured actually, in that game.
EB: But there is a lot of movement amongst the senior and U21s Wales squads, so there are lots of opportunities...
RW: Yes, there are about nine players moving between the two levels.
We have games coming up in February too.
EB: Matty, you have been played out of position quite a bit recently, is it frustrating for you or are you just happy to be in the team?
MB: It's not frustrating. I've played as a right back quite a bit now. I just see myself as a defender.
RW: Er centre mid?!
MB: Yeh that was a bit strange. But if I can do a job anywhere, I will.
Both defenders are fit and pushing for a place in Boro's starting eleven. =
Williams was impressive in Boro's pre-season and had been building himself a reputation as one of Wales's best and brightest prospects until his knee ligament injury. Back to fitness and playing well in the reserves, Williams can play anywhere along the back four or as an emergency holding midfielder. He is very versatile, adding an exciting option which Boro still have in their locker.
Meanwhile, it has been a long hard slog back to fitness for Matthew Bates but his recent handful of performances have shown he has lost none of the talent or hunger which made him stand out amongst Boro's long list of academy graduates.
For these Boro boys at least, the future looks bright.
First published on www.ComeOnBoro.com on 23/1/2009
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