A PASSIONATE Boro fan who has been watching the team play for 70 years has been named its Supporter of the Season.

Grandmother Alice Morgan started attending matches at Midddlesbrough Football Club’s Ayresome Park ground with her father in the Forties.

She was nominated as Supporter of the Season by her grandson, Andrew Ferguson, who now accompanies her to games at the Riverside Stadium.

As part of her prize, the 86-year-old, from Thorntree, Middlesbrough, lined up next to manager Gordon Strachan and the squad for an official team photo.

She has also won a season ticket and will receive a trophy before today’s Championship opener against Ipswich Town.

“My early heroes were Wilf Mannion and George Hardwick,” she said. “They were good little players. I liked Juninho as well.

“I think we can get up this year. I think Kris Boyd will do well. I hope so – you get a better atmosphere when they are winning.”

Mr Ferguson, a Teesside University student from Ingleby Barwick, said: “We have been going to the games together for about ten years. She’s still as passionate as ever.”

Mrs Morgan is the second winner of Boro’s Supporter of the Season following the success of 94-year-old Arthur Dixon last year.