Episode 1 – Boro’s Football League career gets under way

PREPARATIONS

As Boro’s Football League debut approached, there was frantic activity down Seamer Road to get the ground upgraded for the coming season. One of the major changes involved the creation of an ‘away end’ and, when the fixture list dictated that the first two visitors would be the well-supported Wolves and Bolton Wanderers, this became a financial priority.

While investment in ground facilities was high, Neil Warnock made only two significant additions to his squad, bringing in former Mansfield Town full-back Les McJannet from Matlock Town and the much-travelled, veteran striker Ernie Moss from Stockport County. Moss had started 707 first-team matches with League clubs and had scored 239 senior goals. Already in his late 30s, the Chesterfield-born front man brought a wealth of League experience to the Yorkshire coast.

Seven pre-season friendlies were played in 20 days as the team prepared for its first-ever 4th Division game. The first three of these involved trips to Stapenhill, Gainsborough and Matlock and brought three confidence- boosting wins. Preston North End were then beaten 1-0 and there were draws at Hull City and at home to a Newcastle United XI. Finally, a tough work-out against a strong Sheffield Wednesday side was completed, leaving six days to the big kick-off.

The Sunday papers gave the ‘new boys’ a fair amount of coverage, though opinion seemed heavily divided over Boro’s prospects. One of the broadsheets, however, contained something different to the rest. This publication decided the best thing to do to analyse Boro’s chances of success was to ask one of the town’s fortune tellers. The lady in question forecast that Boro would eventually rise within the Football League, but only after a major financial crisis had rocked the club to its very foundations.

Halifax Town deducted one point for fielding an ineligible player.
Tranmere Rovers deducted 2 points for failing to fulfil a fixture.

So, that's what was happening at the start of the 1987/88 season, Boro's inaugural Football League season.  How does it compare with the previous season?... click this link to find out:

And if you'd like to know what was happening on today's date in various years from 1879 to 2007, the link below will take you to the "Today in Boro History" page.