Fan group wants to see ‘sea of red’

PLEA TO FAITHFUL AHEAD OF OPENING BORO CLASH

THE Red Faction have called on Middlesbrough fans to create a ‘sea of red’ across all four sides of the Riverside to welcome the team back for the start of the new season.

Boro host West Brom at home next weekend in their opening Championship clash after narrowly missing out on the play-offs last time around.

Manager Chris Wilder has set ambitious targets for the club in the upcoming season, hoping to improve on their seventh-place finish in May.

The Boro boss knows the backing of the supporters can go a long way to helping them achieve such goals.

With the help of an impressive FA Cup run, Wilder was able to bring about a real unity and connection with supporters last term as his team went on an incredible run which saw them rise from 14th in November to finish seventh, missing out on the play-offs thanks to defeat at Preston on the final day.

However, the run to that disappointing end included a record-equalling consecutive run of victories at the Riverside Stadium.

With supporters helping turn the ground into a fortress, Wilder hopes to make it a fearsome place to visit again.

The Red Faction are looking to do their part ahead of that season opener against Steve Bruce’s fellow promotion hopefuls West Brom.

In a statement released across their social media platforms, the Red Faction wrote: “RF08 are again encouraging all Boro fans to wear red for the first home game of the season.

“We want to welcome back the team with a sea of red across all four stands as the club looks to continue the positive momentum which was created last season.

“When the Boro support comes together this club is truly unstoppable, so let’s celebrate that and show everybody exactly who we are. We’re the Red Army from Middlesbrough! UTB!”

The pleas follow a successful scheme last season for the first game of the season as Boro beat Bristol City with fans returning to the Riverside without restrictions for the first time in 18 months.

There was a similar call for those travelling to Deepdale for the final game of the season last term, with the stand behind one of the goals at Preston a visually impressive army of red, even though the team lost 4-1 to end their play-off hopes.

When the Boro support comes together this

club is truly unstoppable, so let’s

celebrate that

Red Faction