1989–90 Middlesbrough F.C. season

During the 1989–90 English football season, Middlesbrough F.C. competed in the Football League Second Division.

Middlesbrough

1989–90 season
Chairman	Colin Henderson
Manager	Bruce Rioch/Colin Todd
Stadium	Ayresome Park
Second Division	21st
FA Cup	Third round
League Cup	Third round
Full Members' Cup	Runners up
Top goalscorer	League: Slaven (21) All: Slaven (25)

Season summary

In the 1989–90 season, Boro finished 21st in the Second Division, only escaping relegation by two points with a dramatic end of season victory at home to local rivals Newcastle United.

Squad

Appearances and goals

Appearance and goalscoring records for all the players who were in the Middlesbrough F.C. first team squad during the 1989–90 season.

No.	Pos	Nat	Player	Total		Division 2		FA Cup		League Cup
				Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals
	GK	ENG	Stephen Pears	28	0	25	0	3	0	0	0
	GK	ENG	Kevin Poole	25	0	21	0	0	0	4	0
	DF	IRL	Alan Kernaghan	44	5	37	4	3	0	4	1
	DF	ENG	Simon Coleman	39	1	36	1	3	0	0	0
	DF	ENG	Colin Cooper	26	2	21	2	3	0	2	0
	DF	ENG	Nicky Mohan	24	0	22	0	0	0	2	0
	DF	ENG	Tony Mowbray	34	2	28	2	3	0	3	0
	DF	ENG	Gary Pallister	3	0	3	0	0	0	0	0
	DF	ENG	Jimmy Phillips	12	0	12	0	0	0	0	0
	DF	ENG	Gary Parkinson	48	4	41	3	3	1	4	0
	DF	ENG	Owen McGee	14	0	13	0	0	0	1	0
	MF	ENG	Alan Comfort	18	3	15	2	0	0	3	1
	MF	ENG	Mark Brennan	47	3	40	3	3	0	4	0
	MF	ENG	Gary Gill	2	0	1	0	0	0	1	0
	MF	ENG	Paul Kerr	24	2	17	1	3	0	4	1
	MF	ENG	Mark Proctor	49	4	45	4	1	0	3	0
	MF	ENG	Trevor Putney	32	0	25	0	3	0	4	0
	MF	ENG	Stuart Ripley	44	1	39	1	3	0	2	0
	MF	ENG	Mark Burke	14	1	12	1	0	0	2	0
	FW	ENG	Ian Baird	25	5	19	5	0	0	6	0
	FW	ENG	Peter Davenport	37	3	35	3	0	0	2	0
	FW	IRL	Bernie Slaven	53	25	46	21	3	0	4	4

Transfers

In

Date	Player	Previous Club	Fee
July 1989	Trevor Putney	Norwich City	£342,000
March 1990	Jimmy Phillips	Oxford United	£257,000
January 1990	Ian Baird	Leeds United	£500,000
September 1989	Simon Coleman	Mansfield Town	Undisclosed

Out

Date	Player	New Club	Fee
August 1989	Gary Pallister	Manchester United	£2,340,000

Final league table

Main article: 1989–90 Football League § Second Division

Pos	Team	Pld	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	Pts	Qualification or relegation
19	Barnsley	46	13	15	18	49	71	−22	54
20	West Bromwich Albion	46	12	15	19	67	71	−4	51
21	Middlesbrough	46	13	11	22	52	63	−11	50
22	Bournemouth (R)	46	12	12	22	57	76	−19	48	Relegation to the Third Division
23	Bradford City (R)	46	9	14	23	44	68	−24	41

Source: Statto
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Goal difference; 3) Goals scored
(R) Relegated

Results

Football League Second Division

Main article: 1989–90 Football League Second Division

Middlesbrough v Wolves

19 August 1989 1	Middlesbrough	4–2	Wolves	Middlesbrough
	Proctor Davenport Slaven (2)			Stadium: Ayresome Park Attendance: 21,727

Leeds United v Middlesbrough

23 August 1989 2	Leeds United	2–1	Middlesbrough	Leeds
			Alan Comfort	Stadium: Elland Road Attendance: 25,004

Sunderland v Middlesbrough

27 August 1989 3	Sunderland	2–1	Middlesbrough	Sunderland
			Slaven	Stadium: Roker Park Attendance: 21,569

Middlesbrough v Sheffield United

2 September 1989 4	Middlesbrough	3–3	Sheffield United	Middlesbrough
	Alan Comfort Slaven (2)			Stadium: Ayresome Park Attendance: 17,897

Barnsley v Middlesbrough

9 September 1989 5	Barnsley	1–1	Middlesbrough	Barnsley
			Burke	Stadium: Oakwell Attendance: 10,535

Middlesbrough v Bournemouth

16 September 1989 6	Middlesbrough	2–1	Bournemouth	Middlesbrough
	Proctor Slaven			Stadium: Ayresome Park Attendance: 16,077

Portsmouth v Middlesbrough

23 September 1989 7	Portsmouth	3–1	Middlesbrough	Portsmouth
			Slaven	Stadium: Fratton Park Attendance: 7,306

Middlesbrough v Hull

27 September 1989 8	Middlesbrough	1–0	Hull	Middlesbrough
	Proctor			Stadium: Ayresome Park Attendance: 16,382

Watford v Middlesbrough

30 September 1989 9	Watford	1–0	Middlesbrough	Portsmouth
				Stadium: Vicarage Road Attendance: 10,102

Middlesbrough v Plymouth

14 October 1989 10	Middlesbrough	0–2	Plymouth	Middlesbrough
	Proctor			Stadium: Ayresome Park Attendance: 15,003

Middlesbrough v Brighton

18 October 1989 11	Middlesbrough	2–2	Brighton	Middlesbrough
	Parkinson Mowbray			Stadium: Ayresome Park Attendance: 13,551

Oldham v Middlesbrough

21 October 1989 12	Oldham	2–0	Middlesbrough	Oldham
				Stadium: Boundary Park Attendance: 6,835

Middlesbrough v West Brom

28 October 1989 13	Middlesbrough	0–0	West Brom	Middlesbrough
				Stadium: Ayresome Park Attendance: 14,076

Port Vale v Middlesbrough

30 October 1989 14	Port Vale	1–1	Middlesbrough	Stoke-on-Trent
			Alan Kernaghan	Stadium: Vale Park Attendance: 7,708

Newcastle v Middlesbrough

4 November 1989 15	Newcastle	2–2	Middlesbrough	Newcastle Upon Tyne
	McGhee O'Brien		Proctor Brennan	Stadium: St James' Park Attendance: 23,349

Middlesbrough v Swindon

11 November 1989 16	Middlesbrough	0–2	Swindon	Middlesbrough
				Stadium: Ayresome Park Attendance: 13,720

West Ham v Middlesbrough

18 November 1989 17	West Ham	2–0	Middlesbrough	London
	Dicks Slater			Stadium: Upton Park Attendance: 18,720

Blackburn Rovers v Middlesbrough

21 November 1989 18	Blackburn Rovers	2–4	Middlesbrough	Blackburn
			Kernaghan (3) Slaven	Stadium: Ewood Park Attendance: 18,720

Middlesbrough v Oxford United

25 November 1989 19	Middlesbrough	1–0	Oxford United	Middlesbrough
	Slaven			Stadium: Ayresome Park Attendance: 13,756

Wolverhampton Wanderers v Middlesbrough

2 December 1989 20	Wolverhampton Wanderers	2–0	Middlesbrough	Wolverhampton
				Stadium: Molineux Attendance: 12,357

Middlesbrough v Leeds United

9 December 1989 21	Middlesbrough	0–2	Leeds United	Middlesbrough
				Stadium: Ayresome Park Attendance: 19,686

Middlesbrough v Leicester City

16 December 1989 22	Middlesbrough	4–1	Leicester City	Middlesbrough
	Cooper (2) Slaven Ripley		McAllister (p)	Stadium: Ayresome Park Attendance: 11,428

Bradford City v Middlesbrough

26 December 1989 23	Bradford City	0–1	Middlesbrough	Bradford
			Slaven	Stadium: Valley Parade Attendance: 10,008

Ipswich Town v Middlesbrough

30 December 1989 24	Ipswich Town	3–0	Middlesbrough	Ipswich
				Stadium: Portman Road Attendance: 14,290

Middlesbrough v Stoke City

1 January 1990 25	Middlesbrough	0–1	Stoke City	Middlesbrough
				Stadium: Ayresome Park Attendance: 16,238

Middlesbrough v Sunderland

14 January 1990 26	Middlesbrough	3–0	Sunderland	Middlesbrough
	Parkinson Davenport Slaven			Stadium: Ayresome Park Attendance: 17,698

Sheffield United v Middlesbrough

20 January 1990 27	Sheffield United	1–0	Middlesbrough	Sheffield
				Stadium: Bramall Lane Attendance: 15,950

Middlesbrough v Portsmouth

3 February 1990 28	Middlesbrough	2–0	Portsmouth	Middlesbrough
	Kerr Slaven			Stadium: Ayresome Park Attendance: 15,295

Bournemouth v Middlesbrough

10 February 1990 29	Bournemouth	2–2	Middlesbrough	Bournemouth
			Mowbray Slaven	Stadium: Dean Court Attendance: 7,630

Oxford United v Middlesbrough

10 February 1990 30	Oxford United	3–1	Middlesbrough	Oxford
			Brennan	Stadium: Manor Ground Attendance: 5,949

Brighton v Middlesbrough

10 February 1990 31	Brighton	1–0	Middlesbrough	Brighton
				Stadium: Goldstone Ground Attendance: 5,504

Middlesbrough v West Ham

3 March 1990 32	Middlesbrough	0–1	West Ham	Middlesbrough
			Martin Allen	Stadium: Ayresome Park Attendance: 23,617

Middlesbrough v Watford

7 March 1990 33	Middlesbrough	1–2	Watford	Middlesbrough
	Simon Coleman			Stadium: Ayresome Park Attendance: 14,008

Hull City v Middlesbrough

10 March 1990 34	Hull City	0–0	Middlesbrough	Kingston Upon Hull
				Stadium: Boothferry Park Attendance: 6,602

Middlesbrough v Blackburn Rovers

17 March 1990 35	Middlesbrough	0–3	Blackburn Rovers	Middlesbrough
				Stadium: Ayresome Park Attendance: 15,259

Plymouth Argyle v Middlesbrough

20 March 1990 36	Plymouth Argyle	1–2	Middlesbrough	Plymouth
			Baird Brennan	Stadium: Home Park Attendance: 7,185

Middlesbrough v Oldham Athletic

17 March 1990 37	Middlesbrough	1–0	Oldham Athletic	Middlesbrough
	Slaven			Stadium: Ayresome Park Attendance: 17,238

West Brom v Middlesbrough

7 April 1990 38	West Brom	0–0	Middlesbrough	West Bromwich
				Stadium: The Hawthorns Attendance: 9,458

Middlesbrough v Port Vale

11 April 1990 39	Middlesbrough	2–3	Port Vale	Middlesbrough
	Davenport Slaven			Stadium: Ayresome Park Attendance: 14,973

Stoke City v Middlesbrough

14 April 1990 40	Stoke City	0–0	Middlesbrough	Stoke on Trent
				Stadium: Victoria Ground Attendance: 8,636

Middlesbrough v Bradford City

16 April 1990 41	Middlesbrough	2–0	Bradford City	Middlesbrough
	Baird Slaven			Stadium: Ayresome Park Attendance: 16,376

Leicester City v Middlesbrough

21 April 1990 42	Leicester City	2–1	Middlesbrough	Leicester
	Kelly (2)		Slaven	Stadium: Filbert Street Attendance: 9,203

Middlesbrough v Ipswich Town

25 April 1990 43	Middlesbrough	1–2	Ipswich Town	Middlesbrough
	Baird			Stadium: Ayresome Park Attendance: 15,232

Swindon Town v Middlesbrough

28 April 1990 44	Swindon Town	1–1	Middlesbrough	Swindon
			Slaven	Stadium: County Ground Attendance: 9,532

Middlesbrough v Barnsley

2 May 1990 45	Middlesbrough	0–1	Barnsley	Middlesbrough
				Stadium: Ayresome Park Attendance: 17,015

Middlesbrough v Newcastle United

9 May 1990 46	Middlesbrough	4–1	Newcastle United	Middlesbrough
	Baird (2) Slaven (2)		McGee (og)	Stadium: Ayresome Park Attendance: 18,484

FA Cup

Main article: 1989-90 FA Cup

Middlesbrough v Everton

6 January 1990 Third round	Middlesbrough	0–0	Everton	Ayresome Park, Middlesbrough
				Attendance: 20,075

Everton v Middlesbrough

10 January 1990 Third round replay	Everton	1–1 (a.e.t.)	Middlesbrough	Goodison Park, Liverpool
	Sheedy		Parkinson	Attendance: 24,352

Everton v Middlesbrough

17 January 1990 Third round second replay	Everton	1–0	Middlesbrough	Goodison Park, Liverpool
	Whiteside			Attendance: 23,866

League Cup

Main article: 1989–90 Football League Cup

Middlesbrough v Halifax Town

20 September 1989 Second round First leg	Middlesbrough	4–0	Halifax Town	Ayresome Park, Middlesbrough
	Kernaghan Comfort Slaven (2)			Attendance: 10,613

Halifax Town v Middlesbrough

3 October 1989 Second round Second leg	Halifax Town	0–1	Middlesbrough	The Shay, Halifax
			Slaven	Attendance: 1,641

Middlesbrough v Wimbledon

25 October 1989 Third round	Middlesbrough	1–1	Wimbledon	Ayresome Park, Middlesbrough
	Slaven			Attendance: 12,933

Wimbledon v Middlesbrough

8 November 1989 Third round replay	Wimbledon	1–0	Middlesbrough	Plough Lane, London
				Attendance: 3,554

Full Members' Cup

Main article: 1989–90 Full Members' Cup

Middlesbrough v Port Vale

29 November 1989 Second round	Middlesbrough	3–1	Port Vale	Ayresome Park, Middlesbrough
				Attendance: 6,691

Middlesbrough v Sheffield Wednesday

3 October 1989 Third round	Middlesbrough	4–1	Sheffield Wednesday	Ayresome Park, Middlesbrough
				Attendance: 8,176

Middlesbrough v Newcastle United

23 January 1990 Semi final Northern section	Middlesbrough	1–0	Newcastle United	Ayresome Park, Middlesbrough
				Attendance: 16,948

Aston Villa v Middlesbrough

30 January 1990 Final Northern section First leg	Aston Villa	1–2	Middlesbrough	Villa Park, Birmingham
				Attendance: 16,547

Middlesbrough v Aston Villa

6 February 1990 Final Northern section Second leg	Middlesbrough	2–1 (a.e.t.)	Aston Villa	Ayresome Park, Middlesbrough
				Attendance: 20,806

Chelsea v Middlesbrough

25 March 1990 Final	Chelsea	1–0	Middlesbrough	Wembley, London
	Dorigo 26'			Attendance: 76,369