Gibson stays if fans want him to
Middlesbrough chairman Steve Gibson has promised to stay at the helm as long as the club’s fans want him.
Gibson, the man who has overseen Boro’s first major trophy success and their progression to this season’s UEFA Cup semi-finals, insists his passion for the club is as strong as it was when he got involved during the dark days of liquidation 20 years ago.
“I’m often asked if I still retain the same passion for the club as I used to back then,” he told Boro’s official website, www.mfc.co.uk. “I got involved because this is the club I support and I believed I could help.
“As long as that remains the case and the fans want me here, then I’ll continue as chairman.”
Gibson is a low-profile chairman who speaks out whenever he feels he has to, but much prefers to remain in the background doing what he enjoys most, supporting his club.
That has amounted in recent years to, among other things, providing millions for first Bryan Robson and then Steve McClaren to strengthen their squads.
The way that cash has been spent has been criticised at times, but Boro’s remarkable European campaign this season – and they still have an FA Cup quarter-final replay to come on Wednesday night – has provided the perfect justification.
However, Gibson is not prepared to settle for what he already has.
“I’m as passionate as ever about the club and I still feel there are a lot of exciting challenges to tackle and overcome,” he said.
