MFC's 'Family Fun Day' was no wash-out, despite the heavy rain!
Season ticket holders and those with one of the new Boro Pride cards were invited to the Riverside Stadium for an exclusive look at the team in training.
Fab Four tribute band Beatlemania and a small selection of rides provided entertainment in the car-park, but as the rain came down most of the fans took shelter in the stadium.
Inside there was face-painting and refreshments to enjoy as the excitement built, particularly amongst the kids.
Hundreds of fans turned up to watch the training session and get a glimpse of Boro's new-look line-up.
The squad had just returned from their spectacular 6-1 victory over Sparta Rotterdam and were in high spirits.
It was great PR for the club and fantastic for the fans to get up close and personal with their football heroes.
Children raced around trying to get all the signatures as both our senior players and academy youngsters posed for photos, chatted to the fans and signed all manner of weird and wonderful things.
The day's most popular pursuit was the race to get your season card signed by every player.
Summer signings Didier Digard and Marvin Emnes received huge cheers as they bounded on to the pitch but it was the arrival of Afonso Alves and Jeremie Aliadiere which was greeted by the loudest applause.
Both players have been scoring regularly pre-season and with Tuncay and Mido both fit, it looks like Boro finally have the luxury problem of too many quality strikers to choose from.
Speaking of Mido, the Egyptian was literally half the man he was, with twice the enthusiasm.
He sprinted on the pitch solo to show off his new svelte figure, looking healthy, happy and fully ready to start the season.
However with Luke Young's oh-so-recent departure, many of the fans were watching Tony McMahon and Rhys Williams very carefully.
McMahon looked impressive and is probably first in line to replace Young, unless Southgate signs one of the numerous defenders we have been linked with since he left.
Williams and Matthew Bates are both also in the running for the position although Bates is carrying an injury.
Except for Julio Arca, who is out for five weeks, the majority of the team are fit but striker Tom Craddock left the pitch rubbing his back and appeared to have a bruise under one eye.
All three of our potential keepers, Brad Jones, Ross Turnbull and Jason Steele were in attendance. Turnbull looks fitter than last season and there's a new determination in his demeanour. The race for the number one shirt is only just beginning.
As the players trained, a soggy Southgate gave a pitch-side interview, hinting at bringing in a replacement for Young but confirming and denying nothing.
Business as usual at the Riverside then.
The fans were given a special opportunity to observe the players a week before the season and the rain just couldn't compete with that.
First published on www.ComeOnBoro.com on 11-8-08
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