MIDDLESBROUGH chief executive Keith Lamb insists the club have not opened talks with Carling Cup-winning manager Steve McClaren over a contract extension, but hope he will lead them to further glories.

McClaren, tipped as a contender for the England job before Sven-Goran Eriksson last week agreed a new four-year deal, has two more seasons to run on his Boro contract.

But Lamb maintained that both parties are content to stick with their existing agreement. "We haven't discussed Steve McClaren's future at all,'' said Lamb. "Of course, we'd like him to stay in the long-term, but at the moment I think we're all happy with the way things are.

"In many respects he came to the club at a difficult time for football in general with the collapse of the transfer market.

"It hasn't been easy to change the squad around over the past three years, but Steve has been successful in moving players on and bringing players in. We're all pleased to say that this is Steve McClaren's squad.''

Chairman Steve Gibson is banking on the support of the faithful as Boro look to build on the Carling triumph.

Although the current campaign still has six weeks to run, Boro have this week posted renewal forms to all 25,000 season ticket holders.

Boro are keen to catch the mood of that unforgettable day at Cardiff and give an early boost to McClaren's transfer war-chest ahead of the club's debut in major European competition in next season's UEFA Cup.

Lamb said: "The sky is the limit as far as we're concerned. We think we can get back to the full-houses of five or six years ago because we know demand is there.

"When we increased the capacity of the stadium, we had around 32,000 season ticket holders and a waiting list of about 5,000.

"That was on the back of the first golden period of Bryan Robson's management when we signed the likes of Juninho, Ravanelli and Emerson.

"We know if we deliver on the pitch, the fans are there and we feel we've done that this season, especially in the Carling Cup.

"The home League form hasn't been great but we're trying to address that and the manager has shown his determination to produce attacking football.

"We've always said that we're not here for profit - we're here for sporting achievement for the club and the town and every penny that comes into the club from commercial revenue, and season-ticket sales in particular, is ploughed back into the club.

"Any surplus is given to Steve McClaren to reinvest in players and we're very hopeful we'll increase the squad for next season, and tickets sales give us confidence to plan ahead. That's one of the reasons we're putting them on sale earlier.

"Once we know what's in the kitty, the better we're able to guide the manager on which targets are affordable and which aren't.

"We need successful signings - as long as they score goals I don't mind whether they come from the Third Division or wherever. It's important to entertain. We like to entertain and win but, if we have a choice, we like to win before we entertain and I think the fans accept that.

"I expect all those who have season tickets to renew. With next season being our first in Europe, having a season ticket will give fans a preference to attend those games.

"If we get through the first round and reach the league stage, that would guarantee us European football at Middlesbrough until Christmas. After that, the top three teams in each group qualify for the knock-out stages.''

Boro launch their European campaign in September, and season ticket holders will be guaranteed a seat for the home leg and any future Riverside games should McClaren's men qualify for the group stage.

Season ticket holders who return their renewal forms by May 29 will retain their current Red or White book status.

All fans who purchase a season ticket by that date will save up to £30. They will also make a saving compared to buying tickets on a match-by-match basis.

Season tickets for 2004-05 are priced from £360 for adults, £270 for those aged 16-21, £215 for under-16s and over-65s, and £140 for under-nines.

It will take about a week to deliver all renewal forms and season ticket holders who have not received them by Monday week should contact the ticket office on (01642) 877745.

Supporters who want to take advantage of the monthly instalments scheme must apply by Saturday, May 15.

Application forms for fans who are not currently season ticket holders are available from the main ticket office at the Riverside or by calling (01642) 877745.

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