Heroes from 1986 to attend Boro play

Three of Boro’s heroes of 1986 are to attend the official opening night of a dramatic play at Teesside University, which celebrates the 25th anniversary of Middlesbrough Football Club’s rebirth.

Colin Cooper, Stephen Pears and Gary Gill, all now members of Boro’s backroom staff, will join Teesside football fans and theatre-lovers to see ‘Boro’s 37 Minutes’.

The play recreates the drama and magic as Boro bounced back from the brink after coming within 37 minutes of folding during the summer of 1986.

All heroes of the side that won back-to-back promotions after the club almost ceased to exist, Cooper, Pears and Gill will be special guests on Tuesday December 6.

‘Boro’s 37 Minutes’ will be performed over six nights, Monday December 5 to Saturday December 10, at Teesside University’s Brittan Building.

Starring local actors Directed by Middlesbrough supporter Alan Spence, the play stars local amateur actors, most of them lifelong Boro fans. They include George Collings, Jack Collings, Chris Lovell, Nathan Swann, Sam Hills, Sam Hampson, Anne Hollifield, Kate Moore, Al Lou Spence, Francesca Firman, Joyce Clay, Ian Rose, Cliff Bowes and Claire McGarvey.

Through the eyes of Lisa (played by Anne Hollifield), the story’s main character, and her son Sean (Sam Hampson), the play follows the fortunes of the club and fans from the brink of bankruptcy to victory in the 2004 Carling Cup final.

As the crowd’s songs and chants punctuate the action, themes cover leaving school, starting a family, racism, football worship, the economic downturn, the national perception of Teesside and the future.

Act One covers a 10-year era to 1995, taking in the football club’s liquidation, the 1990 ZDS Cup final, relegations, promotions and the departure from Ayresome Park. Act Two takes in the move to the Riverside, the Carling Cup and European adventures, right up to 1986 captain Tony Mowbray’s Boro return.

A truly exciting play Alan, whose company Theatre is Real Life produced the play, said: ‘This is a truly exciting play about the football club, Teesside and its people. It’s about remembering the past and creating the future and covers so many themes that run through both football and life.

‘It stars many local amateur actors and actresses – most of them Boro fans – and has a real passion and emotion running through it. Any Boro fans who wouldn’t normally attend the theatre should make an exception for Boro’s 37 Minutes because this play is about them.’

The play is part of Middlesbrough 86, a groundbreaking history, sport, theatre and education project launched by Boro manager Tony Mowbray and supported by a £42,900 grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF).

Adults tickets are priced at £5 for the opening night and £9 for the rest of the week, with concessions for students, pensioners and the unwaged priced £7. They are available from Middlesbrough Town Hall Box Office and the Teesside University shop or by calling (01642) 729729 or 815181. Tickets are also available on the door each night, subject to availability.

The play takes place in the Main Hall, Brittan Building, Teesside University, Middlesbrough. Doors open at 6.45pm with a 7.30pm start. A pay bar and refreshments will be available.

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