Boro's UEFA Cup odyssey – a fairy tale that will be etched in the memories of fans for generations to come. It was the best night of my life, I recall, as we stormed through the knockout stages, our dreams within touching distance. And now, thanks to BBC Radio Tees' new series 'A Small Town in Europe', we can relive those electric moments all over again.
It's a story that began with qualification for their first major European competition after 128 years of waiting – the sweet taste of victory in the League Cup in 2004. The club's inaugural piece of major silverware propelled Middlesbrough onto a new level, and their European debut season in 2004-05 saw them reach the last-16 of the UEFA Cup and finish seventh in the Premier League.
The pinnacle of this era was the 2005-06 season – a fairytale run through the knockout stages that culminated in a stunning appearance in the UEFA Cup final against Sevilla. Former gaffer Steve McClaren, speaking with unbridled passion in the new series, hailed European nights as the ultimate prize, stating he 'wanted to bring that to the Riverside' and proudly declaring Middlesbrough as 'a small town in Europe'.
Players who were instrumental in McClaren's squad have shared their own recollections. Midfield dynamo George Boateng revealed a pivotal conversation with McClaren, where he promised European football within two years – a promise that won over the sceptical Dutchman and convinced him to join Boro in 2002. 'It was the best couple of hours I spent', Boateng recalled. Striker Jimmy-Floyd Hasselbaink, who joined from Chelsea before Boro's European debut, beamed with pride as he remembered scoring the club's first European goal at home against Banik Ostrava – a moment that will never fade from memory.
Mark Viduka, another key attacking talent with prior European experience, also weighed in. He spoke of the club's unwavering ambition and willingness to invest in a strong team, recalling the 'good bunch of blokes' who formed an unbreakable bond – including the emergence of young talents like Stewart Downing.