The Riverside Stadium was host to the launch of the #MyBoroMyShirt exhibition on Monday evening.
Coordinated by Rob Nichols and Ellen Sowerby on behalf of Middlesbrough Supporters Forum, the photographic exhibition features 15 portraits of Boro supporters donning shirts in iconic Teesside locations, highlighting the diversity of our fanbase and the Teesside community.
The fans featured in the portraits, along with family and friends were part of Monday's launch, which also saw a panel hosted by compere Gary Philipson and including Brian Robinson (Head of Safeguarding at MFC), Nilesh Chauhan (Football Supporters’ Association’s “Fans for Diversity” Campaign Manager), Liam Bird (Fans Liaison Officer at Level Playing Field), Joe White (Pride in Football & Three Lions Pride Co-Chair) and Ged Grebby (Chief Executive at Show Racism the Red Card).
While initially launched at the Riverside, the exhibition will be housed in the Dorman Museum for two weeks from 20 August before touring other community venues in our region.
The #MyBoroMyShirt project is sponsored by the Football Supporters Association, Borderlands, and MFC.
Rob Nichols said: "Ellen and myself hoped that a photo exhibition could highlight the true diversity of the Boro community.
"The message is simply that we are all Boro in our replica Boro shirts, we are all a part of the Boro, Middlesbrough and Tees communities. We all belong.
"Thank you to photographers Tom Banks and Paul Thompson for taking fifteen incredible fan portraits.
"We are so delighted that Middlesbrough FC agreed to host this launch. I think it is important that everyone feels included and knows they are valued. We hope that every fan involved in the exhibition launch enjoyed being the real Boro stars of the show."
