1985–86 Middlesbrough F.C. season

This period in the history of Middlesbrough is considered its most traumatic. The club was in financial difficulties which eventually led to liquidation in 1986 and the near loss of professional football on Teesside. At the end of 1985–86 season Boro were relegated to the old Third Division. By then Willie Maddren was no longer manager. He was sacked with 13 games remaining, replaced by his assistant Bruce Rioch. Maddren is remembered for his astute signings. Bernie Slaven was signed from part-time football in Scotland to become a Middlesbrough legend. Maddren also brought youth team players through the ranks, including Colin Cooper and Stuart Ripley.

August 1985 – Don O'Riordan's performances for Carlisle United earned himself a £55,000 move to Middlesbrough in August 1985. Despite missing only one game the following season, O'Riordan was released amidst Middlesbrough's financial crisis.

30 August 1985 – Newcastle United midfielder Pat Heard moves to Middlesbrough on a month's loan with a view to a permanent deal.

October 1985 – In a trial game against Bradford City, Bernie Slaven scored and impressed the Middlesbrough management enough to snap him up. Bradford boss Terry Yorath also wanted him to sign on the dotted line, but the then Albion Rovers owner negotiated a deal with Middlesbrough which satisfied all parties and manager Willie Maddren picked Slaven up for a bargain price of £25,000.

22 October 1985 – Home team Sunderland beat ten man Middlesbrough 1-0 after Archie Stephens was sent off in the 33rd minute.

November 1985 - Middlesbrough beat Shrewsbury Town 3-1, in front of a home gate of 4,061, with goals from Gary Rowell, Pat Heard and Tony McAndrew.

2 January 1986 – Second Division strugglers Middlesbrough are reported to be £1 million in debt.

21 May 1986 – Middlesbrough, recently relegated to the Third Division for the second time in their history, are faced with the threat of losing their Football League status and going out of business after going into liquidation.

Senior squad

The following are all the players who were involved the Middlesbrough F.C. first team at some point during the 1985-86 season. Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Position Player GK Stephen Pears GK Peter Flear DF Colin Cooper DF Tony McAndrew DF Alan Kernaghan DF Gary Pallister DF Pat Heard DF Don O'Riordan MF Mitch Cook MF Irving Nattrass MF Gary Gill MF Gary Hamilton FW David Currie FW Peter Duffield

No. Position Player DF Brian Laws DF Tony Mowbray DF Steve Corden MF Stuart Ripley MF Gary Rowell MF Peter Beagrie FW Bernie Slaven FW Archie Stephens FW Lee Turnbull

Second Division

Pos	Team	Pl	W	D	L	F	A	GD	Pts
1	Norwich City	42	25	9	8	84	37	+47	84
2	Charlton Athletic	42	22	11	9	78	45	+33	77
3	Wimbledon	42	21	13	8	58	37	+21	76
4	Portsmouth	42	22	7	13	69	41	+28	73
5	Crystal Palace	42	19	9	14	57	52	+5	66
6	Hull City	42	17	13	12	65	55	+10	64
7	Sheffield United	42	17	11	14	64	63	+1	62
8	Oldham Athletic	42	17	9	16	62	61	+1	60
9	Millwall	42	17	8	17	64	65	−1	59
10	Stoke City	42	14	15	13	48	50	−2	57
11	Brighton & Hove Albion	42	16	8	18	64	64	+0	56
12	Barnsley	42	14	14	14	47	50	−3	56
13	Bradford City	42	16	6	20	51	63	−12	54
14	Leeds United	42	15	8	19	56	72	−16	53
15	Grimsby Town	42	14	10	18	58	62	−4	52
16	Huddersfield Town	42	14	10	18	51	67	−16	52
17	Shrewsbury Town	42	14	9	19	52	64	−12	51
18	Sunderland	42	13	11	18	47	61	−14	50
19	Blackburn Rovers	42	12	13	17	53	62	−9	49
20	Carlisle United	42	13	7	22	47	71	−24	46
21	Middlesbrough	42	12	9	21	44	53	−9	45
22	Fulham	42	10	6	26	45	69	−24	36

Key
Promoted to Division One
Qualified for the promotion/relegation playoffs
Relegated to Division Three

P = Matches played; W = Matches won; D = Matches drawn; L = Matches lost; F = Goals for; A = Goals against; GD = Goal difference; Pts = Points

See also

• 1986–87 Middlesbrough F.C. season