The return of the Boro old boys
By Shaun • Sep 26th, 2008 • Category: Boro NewsThe visit of West Bromwich Albion to the Riverside on Saturday will see a few Boro old boys representing the opposition.
A Middlesbrough legend will be sat in the dug out for West Brom, Tony Mowbray appeared over 350 times for the Boro becoming the club captain at just 22 years of age. One of Boro’s greatest ever captains, our current manager Gareth Southgate is the only Boro captain to lift a major trophy for the club, he led a young Boro team away from liquidation and back into the top flight of English Football. Mogga will no doubt get a very warm welcome from the Middlesbrough fans tomorrow.
Also returning is the 2002/03 Club Player of the Year Jonathan Greening. Greening joined Middlesbrough for a combined fee of £3million with saw both him and United teammate Mark Wilson (see our worst signings list) signed by former Manchester United assistant Steve McLaren. Greening was initially very good at Boro but eventually he lost his place in the team and was sold to WBA for around £1.5m
James Morrison, a star in the FA Youth Cup winning team, was sold to WBA last season and has already scored twice for them this season. In my humble opinion it was a mistake to sell Morrison, I feel he had a lot to give and bags of potential. With our current midfield problems I could certainly see him playing a part for us, but thats water under the bridge now.
One ex-boro player who will miss out on this game through injury is Chris Brunt. Brunt never managed to break into the Middlesbrough first team after coming through the youth system and was eventually picked up by Sheffield Wednesday.
What is interesting is that usually when an ex-player returns you get a section of the crowd booing them, see the Woodgate reaction in the first game of the season. Tomorrow’s game however see’s former Boro players return who have no bad blood with the club, left on good terms and are still held in high regard by the fans.
I personally wish them all the best for this season and hope they stay up, after they suffer a 3-0 defeat at the Riverside tomorrow of course 
If you haven’t yet read Ross’ excellent match preview give it a read and leave your match predictions.
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Shaun is A Boro fan and owner of BoroMania.com. Born and brought up in the North East. Favourite players are Juninho, Slaven and David Wheater.
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