Middlesbrough picked up another useful three points in the Championship play-off race on Tuesday night.
Michael Carrick‘s side made it three wins in their last three games, with victory over Birmingham City at St Andrew’s.
Riley McGree’s long range stunner was enough to secure a 1-0 win for ‘Boro, against the midfielder’s former club.
That has seen Middlesbrough move to 9th in the Championship table, five points adrift of the play-off places.
However, it was arguably a more important night for both clubs, due to the opportunity it gave them to show support for Tony Mowbray.
Middlesbrough fans offer Tony Mowbray backing
Ordinarily, ‘Boro should have been coming up against a club legend on Tuesday night, in the form of Mowbray.
The 60-year-old previously made over 400 appearances for Middlesbrough as a player. He also went on to manage at The Riverside Stadium for three years between 2010 and 2013.
Having been appointed as Birmingham City manager back in January, Mowbray ought to have been in the St Andrew’s dugout for this game.
However, he has temporarily stepped back from the role for medical reasons. His assistant, Mark Venus instead took charge for Tuesday match.
Even with Mowbray absent, Middlesbrough fans were still keen to be involved in a show their support for a club legend during the match.
Posting about that gesture on X early in the match, Birmingham Mail journalist Alex Dicken wrote:
“Both sets of fans singing ‘There’s only one Tony Mowbray’. The #BCFC manager spent 12 years at hometown club Boro – nine as a player and three as manager.”
Middlesbrough’s next game come against another club Mowbray has previously managed, Blackburn Rovers, on Saturday afternoon.
Tony Mowbray hugely deserving of support
It is certainly good to see Mowbray getting this sort of support from his clubs, past and present.
Indeed, when it comes to Middlesbrough in particular, it is no surprise to see those connected with the club are keen to make their affection for him known.
Mowbray was an excellent servant for the club, both as a player and a manager. He is also someone who genuinely cared about the club, given they were his hometown team.
You therefore hope that to see Middlesbrough cares so much about him as well, will help to give him a lift at this tough time for him.
It is also worth noting that anyone who meets Mowbray speaks about what a good and nice person he is. He is therefore, someone who has certainly earned the support he is getting.
With that in mind, there will be plenty connected with Middlesbrough he will be desperate to him back in a managerial dugout sooner rather than later.