Middlesbrough FC, despite spending only two seasons outside the top two divisions of English football, have struggled to make an impact as far as silverware is concerned, winning only one major trophy in their history.

Boro were founder members of the Premier League in 1992 and have dropped out three times, but Middlesbrough recorded their best Premier League finish in 2005, clinching seventh place.

Middlesbrough FC came closest to winning a Football League title as far back as the 1914 season, when they were third, while relegation to the Division Three in 1986 signalled the lowest point in the football club's long history.

Middlesbrough were formed in 1876 when a local cricket team wanted a way of staying fit during the winter, turning professional in 1889 and being elected to the Football League 10 years later.

After 22 straight seasons in the top flight, Boro were relegated to the Second Division in the 1925, but they were promoted again three seasons later.

Legendary manager Brian Clough started his playing career with Middlesbrough, becoming one of their top scorers with 204 goals in 222 matches between 1955 and 1961.

Boro slipped into Division Three for the first time in 1966 but were back after just a season and climbed back into the top flight under manager Jack Charlton in 1974, which was a springboard to lifting their first piece of silverware - the Anglo-Scottish Cup after beating Fulham in 1976.

Beset by serious financial difficulties in the mid-1980s, the club were saved from extinction at the 11th-hour by current chairman Steve Gibson's consortium.

Middlesbrough slid into Division Three again in 1986, but two successive promotions ensured Boro were in position when the Premier League was launched.

The controversial 1996-97 season is well remembered by Boro fans, as the club were relegated after being deducted three points for failing to fulfil a fixture against Blackburn Rovers.

The 2003-2004 season, under Steve McClaren, is hailed as the most successful year in Middlesbrough's history as they finally gained a major trophy, beating Bolton Wanderers to win the League Cup.

This was followed by a UEFA Cup final appearance in 2006, where Middlesbrough lost out to Spanish club Sevilla in Eindhoven.