Middlesbrough fans know the date they can watch their side for the first time in nearly a year as their pre season fixture schedule begins to take shape.

Boro will take a squad to Northern League side Bishop Auckland for a friendly on Wednesday 14th July. 

The game at Heritage Park will act as a warm-up before they head down to Devon and Cornwall for a week long training camp. 

They'll play friendlies against Saltash United, Tavistock and Plymouth Argyle on the South coast with a further two friendly fixtures to be confirmed at a later date. Boro begin their Championship campaign on Saturday 7th August. 

The last time fans spectated a game was Boro's 1-1 draw against Bournemouth at the Riverside on 20th September 2020 as Marcus Browne grabbed a later equaliser. 

Over 1,000 fans were allowed into the ground as part of an EFL trial to allow fans back into football stadiums. 

Boro manager Neil Warnock told the club website: "I always like to take the first team to a local club and hopefully encourage the crowd to come down and support the game.

"Bishop Auckland are a great club, they have a proud history and they're not too far away at all for people to come and watch."

With fans being welcomed back into the stands of football stadia from next week, the game presents supporters with the first opportunity to watch a Boro side compete in a game. 

"All being well the lads will be able to meet the fans and be able to autographs and it'll be a great way to start pre season."

The club tweeted earlier in the week that Neil Warnock was holding talks with each individual member of the Boro squad with regards to their future and news is expected on those conversations soon.