Gibson wants best for Boro

Gibson: Wants best

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Middlesbrough chairman Steve Gibson has vowed to try and bring the best world talent to the Riverside Stadium next term.

Free-spending Gibson has splashed the cash in the past, with the likes of Juninho, Fabrizio Ravanelli and Paul Merson signing for the club.

And he is set to continue his spending spree under current boss Gareth Southgate, who has already made Afonso Alves the club's record signing.

Gibson, who rescued the club from the brink of collapse more than two decades ago, wants top class players at the Riverside to excite the fans.

He said: "The groundwork is in place for the team and the club to really go forward next season.

Global talent

"We want to bring the best that we can to this club. We have a search for global talent. We want to be in a position to be able to attract the best world talent.

"We have done that with Alves, Tuncay and others and just look what we have done in the past with the likes of Juninho, Ravanelli and Merson."

Gibson made his vow in a DVD which accompanied the launch of the club's season card renewal prices.

Under the scheme, existing holders can pay the same as they did for the current campaign before 11th May, while Under 18s can sign up for just £95, a reduction of up to 75 per cent in some sections of the stadium.

Gibson added: "The fans are everything. Without them, there's no point in us being here.

"We need their vocal and financial support for all games, not just the big fixtures, and we want full houses.

"Look at the last 10 years. We understand we have had some inevitable lows, but look at the tremendous highs we have had.

"Be proud of the club, get behind the club, get behind this manager - and we will do everything we can to produce a team that the town and the fans can be proud of."

Southgate pleased

Southgate is grateful for the chairman's continued commitment to the club, saying: "People sometimes have said does he still possess that enthusiasm to do it after this length of time, and I think it is clear that he does from my work with him, but also what he is saying publicly.

"He is as driven as ever to make this club as successful as it possibly can be, and because of his desire and his drive, I don't think that will ever change."

Southgate is also pleased with the cost for young supporters to watch Boro at home next term.

He said: "Across football because of the expense of going, the age range of people who go has slowly got older and older, and there has been a danger that football has priced younger supporters out of it.

"We have taken that step to try to encourage younger supporters back knowing that they are our future.

"We need to excite the young fans, we need to get them in the habit of coming to games and feeling part of the club and part of the team.

"The offer for Under 18s is outstanding, in my opinion, and I hope the fans respond to that and take up the offer."