THE biggest stars in Boro's history have been aligned in a new book – and The Northern Echo readers can join them.

More than 100 in-depth interviews with legendary former players and managers along and in-depth features on the club’s most momentous seasons adorn Boro Tales, which is due out this autumn.

A star-studded cast of club greats, from David Armstrong to Bolo Zenden, look back on their Teesside days in highly personal and illuminating interviews.

Now the author of the upcoming book is inviting Middlesbrough supporters to take advantage of the opportunity to pay homage to their heroes with their own views.

Ex-Boro midfield lynchpin Graeme Souness, who is now a highly-respected Sky Sports kicks off the book with a foreword as he takes an emotional walk down Memory Lane.

Souness, who left Boro to conquer Europe with Liverpool, sets the tone by paying a glowing tribute to former team-mates and the people of Teesside.

“There’ll always be a special place in my heart for Boro because of Middlesbrough people and Teesside as a whole,” Souness writes.

“I owe the area so much. I grew up as a person when I lived in Middlesbrough and finally found my feet as a footballer so I’ve got loads of great memories of the Boro and I love going back to see my old teammates.”

Souness is joined by a dazzling array of former club favourites from down the years including Gareth Southgate, Juninho, John Hickton, Fabrizio Ravanelli, Jack Charlton, Tony Mowbray and Gordon Jones.

There are also interviews with former players who are no longer with us like Delapenha, Rolando Ugolini and Ugo Ehiogu.

The families of the late Brian Clough, Peter Taylor and Harold Shepherdson have also helped fill in missing pieces of the Boro jigsaw by contributing to the book

Plus, there are special sections on the club academy, including in-depth interview with ex-academy chief Dave Parnaby and talent-spotter Ron Bone on the secrets behind Rockliffe Park success.

There are sections devoted to the road to the incredible ‘Season from Hell’ when Boro reached two Cup finals and ended up being relegated and then the book ends on a high by focusing on the road to Carling Cup glory.

The book has been written by football journalist Rob Stewart, who covered the glory days of the Steve McClaren era for ten years for the Daily Telegraph.

“It was an honour to report on Boro’s fortunes during those halcyon days under Steve McClaren and beyond,” said Stewart.

“It’s also been a privilege to speak to so many people who have been heroes to Teesside people because they gave their all for the club and played their way into the hearts and minds of supporters.

“It was fascinating to get to speak to those who made dreams come true on Teesside as they shared their stories and I am sure fans will enjoy reading their Boro Talesas much as I enjoyed piecing it together.

“I know it will go down well because the stories are very revealing. Fan won’t know whether to laugh or cry but that sums up rollercoaster ride that comes with following Middlesbrough.”

Now Stewart is appealing for Boro fans to help him put the finishing touches to a book he describes as a “labour of love” with their own favourite memories.

“One of the most striking themes of virtually every interview I did was the importance of the support they received at Ayresome Park, the Riverside and opposition ground across England and even far-flung parts of Europe,” Stewart said.

“So it has struck me that the picture would not be complete without fans having their say so I would be grateful if Boro supporters would share with me their own thoughts on stand-out moments and players from the past.”

Along with those personal stories, publishers, Bradford-based Great Northern Books, are also inviting Boro fans to turn their own copy of the book into a special memento in the run-up to Christmas.

Fans can order a copy in advance from Great Northern Books before October 12 and will receive a signed, hardback limited edition, with the name of their choice printed in the list of Boro fans at the back of the book. £17.99. Or buy two for £30.98. UK delivery included.

To get in touch with Rob with your own Boro Tales, email robstewartuk@aol.com no later than Friday, October 12.

To order your limited edition book visit www.gnbooks.co.uk or call 01274 735056

Link: https://www.gnbooks.co.uk/product/boro-tales-lehb/