The club was saddened to learn of the passing of our former Head Coach, Terry Venables.
After a distinguished playing career with London clubs Chelsea, Tottenham Hotspur and Queens Park Rangers in the 1960s and 70s, it was another former Boro boss Malcolm Allison that gave Venables his route into coaching with Crystal Palace.
Eventually succeeding Allison in the Eagles dugout, he enjoyed two promotions there, followed by similarly successful spells with QPR and Spanish giants Barcelona, where he earned his 'El Tel' moniker.
Returning to domestic shores, he'd lead Spurs to FA Cup success in 1991, then manage England's national side to the semi-finals of Euro '96.
Venables crossed paths with the Boro in December 2000, ending a two-year spell away from the game to assist and co-manage with Bryan Robson - who had been his number two with England - and aid the club's battle against relegation.
It was an unusual but fruitful arrangement, with Venables and Robson working together to arrest the team's slide and post an eventual 14th-place finish in the Premier League.
Venables would depart the club alongside Robson at the end of the 2000/01 season, but the top flight survival had created a platform for their successor, Steve McClaren, and one of the best periods in Boro's history.
Terry passed away on Saturday at the age of 80, following a long illness. The thoughts of everyone at MFC go out to his loved ones at this time.