In 1801, Middlesbrough was a small farm with a population of just 25. Joseph Pease of Darlington needed a port for his coal ships, so created 'Port Darlington' and brought in Irish labourers to create what became Middlesbrough. This increase was fuelled in 1841when Henry Bolckow and John Vaughan of Wales, discovered ironstone deposits in the Eston Hills.
The name 'Middlesbrough' predates the settlement, and possibly relates to an abbey located halfway between Whitby and Durham. It is 'brough' rather than 'borough' due to a spelling error when it was given its charter in 1853.
Middlesbrough was the first major British town and industrial target to be bombed during the Second World War.
2 Yorks – The 2nd Battalion The Yorkshire Regiment (Green Howards) infantry regiment are very strongly associated with Middlesbrough. Originally formed at Dunster Castle, Somerset in 1688 to serve King William of Orange, later King William III.
During the 1970s, actor Terry Scott, of Terry and June, managed to drive his car off the end of the Transporter Bridge and was only saved from the murky waters of the River Tees by the bridge's safety net
Boro's old Ayresome Park ground featured in the 35th edition of the Guinness Book of Records for being the home of the largest reported advertising hoarding, which was painted on the roof of the North Stand by sponsor Heritage Hampers.
The Dock Clock Tower at Middlehaven Dock in Middlesbrough has four sides, but only three clock faces. because employers did not want the dockers to clock-watch.
The Little Theatre in Linthorpe was the first new theatre built in England after World War II.
Dorman Long of Middlesbrough are responsible for bridges all over the world, including the Tyne Bridge, Menai Suspension bridge and the Sydney Harbour Bridge.
In 1889, then amateur Middlesbrough FC tried to join the league by joining with Middlesbrough Ironopolis and playing at the Paradise Ground. They took Accrington's place, but it only lasted a season due to financial problems, but beat teams like Small Heath (now Birmingham City), and Ardwick (now Manchester City) and ended up 11th of 15 teams.
Middlebrough were one of the founder members of the Premier league, and the first club to be relegated from it. (among others, obviously)
The Riverside was the first stadium built to comply with the Taylor report on all seater stadiums.
Middlesbrough were the first football club in the world to launch its own TV channel – Boro TV.
Middlesbrough FC regularly top the table in community work, with the club being involved in many schemes and initiatives to assist and support the local community.
