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Middlesbrough was a very unimportant place, then came iron ore discovered in the Eston and Cleveland Hills. A port was built on the River Tees to transport the material around the country to build ships. And so It boomed for about a century and then it died. Middlesbrough is a very unimportant place. That last sentence is not true. Middlesborough cannot lay claim to being a tourist bastion but it did turn iron ore into steel although that industry has long gone as has refining oil sometime around 1990 and some years after the then ICI sold to Petroplus a Dutch group which, like ICI, is also now defunct. Teeside though does still lay claim to having the largest chemical plant in Europe, apparently, but likely the claim should more accurately say the largest agglomeration of multiple chemical plants that were spawned when ICI was broken up. Most of this employment lies in the massive works at Billingham and Wilton north and south, respectively, of the town of Middlesbrough. Ammonia, which was the first major chemical to be developed on Teeside, was planned to be used for making bombs for the Great War although the plant was not finished until after hostilities had ended. The manufacturing process for making ammonia had been pinched from Germany, well partly; BASF were the the first to make ammonia in 1913. Plants in Sheffield, France and the USA were also copied and that knowledge enabled Teeside chemical production to be pioneering. It all happened in Billingham and Grange Farm to be precise. Doris McKorkindale, her 9 siblings and 14 children were given an offer to vacate their small pig farm to make way for a behemoth of an ammonia plant. The 'Government Nitrogen Factory' was born operational from late 1918 and taken over by the private company Brunner Mond in 1920 merging with other companies in 1926 to form Imperial Chemical Industries or ICI. Production of ammonia centred around its use in fertilisers but this returned to munitions with the onset of WW2. The technologically advanced Wilton plant came later, officially opening in 1949. It was a showpiece of Industrial Britain and ICI was on top of the world. Middlesbrough, so named in the 7th century by monks who stopped here in the middle of their journey from Whitby Abbey to Durham. So, essentially, the place, even then, was considered worthy only of a piss break and a brew much like when one stops at Membury en route from Bristol to London. It was at least a brave new world when chemicals came to town and Teeside sat mighty and proud as the corner of Britain for making dirty and smelly ones; we owe them a debt of gratitude though for helping to see off the huns with ammonia for incendiaries. Aldous Huxley certainly thought so and after visiting the works at Grange Farm in Billingham he was inspired to write his book 'A Brave New World' in 1931. Perhaps this piece of music resonates the appropriate tone to a better time for Middlesbrough as experienced in those rather depressing days of 1984. Alan Parsons naming this album after the plant. As for what Middlesbrough, the town, stands for? RGs Erimus ("We shall be" in Latin) was chosen as Middlesbrough's motto in 1830. It recalls Fuimus ("We have been") the motto of the Norman/Scottish Bruce family, who were lords of Cleveland in the Middle Ages. The town's coat of arms is an azure lion, from the arms of the Bruce family, a star, from the arms of Captain James Cook, and two ships, representing shipbuilding and maritime trade. We shall be or we have been? You decide. As for the visiting Middlesbrough Football Club today; They represent the town quite probably more than most football clubs represent theirs. Why? Because when you go to Middlesbrough it feels like a disjointed amalgam of built up areas with no real heart; possibly because the current town hall is the second in the town's history located significantly further south than the first breaking the heart of a place if ever there was a cause. The football club provides the glue like no other place because it really needs it. I do love that second song from Alan Parsons. Eye in the Sky.. what a classic song that was. Just let the album play out in the build up to today's match. Come on City lets jump back into 4th place today please and see off the proud Teesiders .

Has to be said we are a much better side against teams that want to play. Strangely I think the biggest threat to our season is our ability to get results against the lesser sides happy to park the bus.

I’m so happy we’re not completely shit anymore - it improves my general well-being.

The official Bristol Rovers Graphic Designer who was responsible for this - .... has been hard at work again visiting each fan who bought a calendar ...

Do not start a post with FFS at this stage of the game

So they have, what, the 8th best average attendance in the division..? They spend zero on upkeep of the dump. They spend zero on player transfers (DC had confirmed it’s a net spend of just £135k in 2 years!) Yet their wage bill is allegedly bottom 6. And they are still losing millions per year! That sounds like a recipe for us to piss ourselves laughing..!

This is simply fantastic. You could not of scripted the comedy gold any better. The gift continues unabated. A £10m striker for less than a Tilson adorning all the saggies walls throughout the season of good will, superb.

Well done City. Hull win and now Boro, yes yes yes. We are strong at the moment, we have a game plan and we are Bristol City FC. Think the players look and act strong. Nice that our midfielders score. Next game important as usual. When we were in leauge one we beat them away for the first time since 1957, 2-1. The game was on sky that time, same trick again please. We are not afraid of any team. One game at the time, so far so good. Always believe, COYR!!!

What a great performance. Well done City!

Because you're not happy with the fact we're playing really well?!

After seeing Dopeys interview, I think I now know why the poor 15'ers think they are the bestest, most loyal and true fans ever. It's because they keep getting told it by various owners, chairmen and managers of the G*s to try and stop them from looking at the true nature of how utterly f*cked the club are behind the scenes. It's a massive case of blowing smoke up their arses and hoping they are so happy to (ahem) 'know' they are the best fans ever they cannot believe that their club is (and has been for years) close to going to the wall. I would say it's painful to watch but it's not, it's f*cking brilliant.

Tis the season to be Jolly

12 minutes extra then?

What 's his gif like ?

Shut those kids up!

At a job interview last week I was asked "Well, Jacko.......where do you see yourself in three years time?". All I could tell them was "Dunno, Mate...... I don't have 2020 vision......". I love you all.

Funnily enough I think LJ came up with the solution to that problem tonight. Playing Reid up front on his own almost forces the opposition to play further up the pitch which allows our pacey midfielders to play off him and find space beyond the opposition's back line.

We were superb at times tonight and only a ridiculous own goal by Magnússon, made it a little bit tricky in the final 15 minutes. Middlesborough deserved sweet **** all out of this game. The referee was lenient at times especially towards Traore. Fielding 7 did what he had to do as usual. Wright 7 a few mistakes, but generally ok, but what a cross for our first goal. Flint 8 superb once more his part for the 2nd goal was incredible. Baker 7 confident throughout. Magnússon 6 up until the own goal was playing OK, but what was he thinking?. Patterson 6 really took his goal well but not quite up to speed yet. Brownhill 7 played well throughout. Smith 9 MOM again, people who believe he is a weak link know nothing about football. Pack 8 solid and disciplined throughout. Bryan 7 took his goal oh so well, but i’m not sure he is fully fit. Reid 7 his first touch tonight was superb at times and a constant thorn in their side. Djuric 8 I thought he was great tonight for his 15 minutes of fame, won most things in the air, held it up well and actually looked good with the ball at feet. Elliason & Leko not on long enough. LJ 9 Tactics spot on, subs were about right maybe Eliasson could have been brought on earlier Patterson was tiring. I thought it was great the complimentary things that the commentator and pundits said about us tonight, we should fear nobody in this league.

I met him today and he functioned well

Wade Elliott on Sky referring to us as Bristol City throughout his post-match punditry. Seems to still hold us in good regard. Great player in his short time at the Gate.

Given the injury situation we are showing astonishing adaptability and resilience. A sign of mental strength and togetherness. This is a team to be proud of.

we didn't really look to be under any real threat until a self inflicted own goal and even when Boro tried to push for a point we still never looked like we would lose - great win, and 3rd in the table coming into the Christmas period... this is not what it usually feels like supporting us.

Get Pato off for Eliasson, give boro something else to deal with.

Our record £5m striker injured their £15m striker playing and we are battering them. Whatever happens this season we are a joy to support st the moment

7531 AND decreasing ............how much is THAT they've lost on the day ?

Tent pegs?

Bristol Rovers need to raise salaries if they want to keep hold of their best players, says manager Darrell Clarke. Clarke has been frustrated by progress both on and off the pitch this season, with the club 18th in League One and plans for a new stadium stalling. "We're still in the bottom six for the salaries we pay players," said Clarke, who confirmed Rovers are in talks with striker Billy Bodin over a new deal. Top 6 whilst ST's were on sale, bottom 6 now they need excuses.

Unbelievably, Rotherham are actually on worse form than us over the last 5 league games, so I would predict a A hammering, a bit concerned that they have the league's top scorer in Kieffer Moore, who may enjoy playing against our defence! What we do well to hold them at 3/0 looks like doc will be on his way after today once the fans turn against him as he said he's only here for the fans if I am not wanted I will leave good bye

Yes he's doing what he can to keep the fans on his side. Like when he mocked when enquiring how that lot down the road had got on. Never forget! Happy days indeed eh DC?

I bet the gas fans are enjoying their December calendar

We’re irresistible at times. What a great result.

Contenders.

Pack should have stopped that attach in the centre circle, now Korey booked and dangerous FK to them.

Two excellent gifs as well. 8/10 for both.

Would anyone like to talk about Frankie’s shit kicking? He has been like Pirlo tonight

Flint Aka Pirlo

Good half but still need to change something if we want to win. Can’t see us scoring from open play the way we’re set up currently. Reid has been unbelievable but there’s no point putting balls into the box when it’s just him there.

What a lovely player Bobby Reid has become.

For your convenience I will not give any comments during the game. COYR!!

What a bizarre Saturday , I hate it when the telly frock about with kick off times . Better get used to it I spose , what with the Prem next season 'n all . I will shortly have to abandon you to do battle with pop ups, betting companies and saucy types who'd like to ' hook up ' with me for no strings fun . C'mon you Reds . Here's a dancing banana in advance of our early goal .

More #BristolCity make two changes, with Bryan and Paterson in for O'Dowda and Woodrow. #BristolCity v Middlesbrough: Fielding, Wright, Flint, Baker, Magnússon, Brownhill, Smith, Pack, Bryan, Paterson, Reid. Subs: Steele, Vyner, Leko, Eliasson, Woodrow, Djuric, Taylor. #BRCvMID

Can someone actually post the lineup here?

Sunderland 3 down, I have to say, I hope they go down because I can't stand Coleman. TalkSport made a big deal asking why Coleman went to Sunderland. Well, why the hell would Sunderland go for Coleman? He's a terrible manager.

Maybe just maybe the manager who has guided us to 4th has set up a team and shape that he feels will best deal with the threats boro pose...and from what I have seen elliason has been given plenty of chances so far this season...

Alex Neil at PNE? Mickey Mellon at Tranmere? Darren Ferguson at Donny Rovers? Graham Alexander at Scunny? Stuart McCall at Bradford? Steve Evans at Mansfield? Robbie Neilson at MK Dons? Mark McGhee at Barnet?

Old and Wise by Alan Parsons is awesome

It would be their version of crowdfunding the rebuild. Rather than donate money, just bring along something that can be used in the project. A couple of bricks, a few old doors you found in a skip, some old tins of paint you`ve got in the back of the shed, things like that. If you build it, they will come.

It’s not a stadium rebuild project..!

Christmas is a time of good will to all men. Found just the thing for as gAsshole mate.. http://www.marcjohns.com/blog/2010/02/15/tick-*******-tock

Dark rings under his eyes, unshaven. Looks like he was up most of the night, snorting cocaine off of a labrador’s Lipstick..!