Middlesbrough Chairman Steve Gibson led the tributes to former Chief Executive Keith Lamb as the club announced his passing at the age of 77.
A statement displayed on the club website read, ‘We are deeply saddened to report the passing of our former chief executive Keith Lamb, rest in peace Keith.’
Lamb was employed by Middlesbrough Football Club for nearly 25 years, joining shortly after Steve Gibson and the consortium rescued the club from extinction in 1986.
He was an accountant by profession but quickly became an integral part of Boro’s business and will be best remembered for his part in some incredible transfer deals seen on Teesside. Many will recall the part he and Bryan Robson played in bringing a player who is now considered a footballing god in these parts; Juninho. The little fella as he was best known to Boro fans, lit up Teesside with his dazzling skills and was enough of a catalyst for other players of such stature to follow suit.
Lamb instrumental in Boro’s success
There were many more earth-shattering signings that put Middlesbrough on the map in their meteoric rise during the mid to late nineties, and Keith was a major cog in that seismic shift. Champions League winners, World Cup winners and global stars all donned the red of Boro with Fabrizio Ravanelli, Christian Karembeu, Gaizka Mendieta and many more being persuaded to get behind the Riverside revolution and and ambitious project sold to them.
It was not just about the glitzy transfers though, he also contributed to the transformation that saw the club move from its long-term home of Ayresome Park to The Riverside in 1995 and also helped oversee the club’s heavy investment in a brand new academy facility. Something that has helped keep the club afloat and self-sufficient.
Chairman leads tributes
Steve Gibson penned a personal message which was reported in The Northern Echo. In memory of his former colleague and friend, he said, “I was deeply saddened to be informed of the death of Keith Lamb. He was a trusted colleague and friend.”
Continuing, “Keith was appointed chief executive in the aftermath of 1986 and was instrumental in bringing back the club’s sustainability and viability, helped greatly by the heroics of Bruce Rioch, Tony Mowbray and the squad of ’86.
“His achievements during this time were many. Keith’s ability and commitment to the club contributed greatly to the success we enjoyed under Lennie Lawrence, Bryan Robson and Steve McClaren.
“We had long periods in the Premier League, reached FA, League and FA Youth Cup finals. There was the building of the Riverside Stadium and the Rockliffe training ground. These were all ground-breaking achievements and his role in the history of our club will never be forgotten.
“Our thoughts and condolences are with his wife Margaret, and his sons and daughters, Kris, Katy, Steven, and Charlotte.”
Ex-players offer condolences
Former players who were a part of those days with Keith at the club joined Steve Gibson in paying their respects. Phil Stamp, a former Boro midfielder who played for the club between 1993 and 2001 said via his facebook account, ‘RIP Keith Lamb sad news massive part of probably the best era in Middlesbrough fc’.
Former Middlesbrough striker Andy Campbell, who came through the ranks and like Stamp, was from the area added, ‘Really sad to hear this, Keith played a vital role at the club when I was a young player, RIP.’
Another who witnessed Lamb’s impact was Boro favourite, Craig Hignett. ‘Higgy’ was a major part of the team that straddled that transformation from Ayresome Park to The Riverside. He echoed the sentiments of his ex-teammates, tweeting, ‘So sad to hear about the passing of Keith Lamb, a top man who was both a brilliant chief executive and great company away from football, my thoughts are with Keith’s family.’
Keith Lamb’s involvement and work with Middlesbrough Football Club will be long remembered in the north east and his legacy will surely be cemented as one of the most important figureheads in their long and rich history.